This paper explores ethnolinguistic vitality among Japanese-Brazilians ("Nikkeis"). First, an 18-item questionnaire was administered to 33 individuals who attended a seminar on bilingual studies held in São Paulo. Then, two bilingual "Nikkei" teachers who participated in the questionnaire and who grew up to be bilinguals…

English-only policies and the expiration of the "Bilingual Education Act," which is now replaced by "No Child Left Behind," make it clear that English is the official language of schools in the United States with the emphasis moved from the goal of maintaining students' home languages while learning English to a focus of ignoring minority…

Japanese immigrants opened a Saturday school in a small Northeastern town to teach Japanese to their children as a heritage language. Because of parents' limited time and resources, a Saturday school worked well. The school became a place to share culture as well as teach language. Background, curriculum, and factors contributing to success are…

Reviews the literature about preschool immersion education for Indigenous languages. Describes the two oldest and best known of such programs: Kohanga Reo ("language nests") in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Punana Leo in Hawaii. Looks at existing U.S. programs, particularly Arapaho preschools in Wyoming. Outlines major themes and issues in developing…

Focuses on how parents and teachers can help bring nonnative English-speaking children become literate in both their native language and in English. The activities most likely to ensure success in achieving these goals are those which can be done with the materials at hand in the context of normal daily living and in which everyone is happy to…

Describes the Punana Leo Immersion Schools in Hawai'i, founded in 1983 by a group of Hawai'ian-language educators concerned about the impending extinction of their language. A second part describes two of the teachers and their philosophy about imparting language skill through spirit and culture. Sidebar describes the Advocates for Indigenous…

A Senate committee hearing received testimony on the educational needs of Native Hawaiian families and young children and on existing programs that serve them. Oral and written statements were presented by Senators, parents, teachers, school and program administrators, and organizations concerned with Native education and culture. These statements…

This guidebook is intended for parents of French-speaking students in Alberta. It describes French-as-a-first-language education in Alberta and provides information to help parents, in collaboration with school personnel and the wider francophone community in Alberta, to preserve and develop their children's identity as speakers of French and as…

Examines the myths surrounding the introduction of native language instruction in American Indian communities. Despite the concerns of many parents, such instruction does not "hold back" students, and in fact empowers them to succeed in school. Parent-community involvement is essential for dispelling myths and for reinforcement of the…

This introduction to the development of bilingual/bicultural programs in Alaska features models depicting the most common basic approaches to bilingual/bicultural education. Program models included are: (1) transitional - moves the child from his native language to English by completion of third or fourth grade and does not attempt to support…

Discusses Navajo acculturation and language loss. Argues that Navajo parents must understand the importance of their involvement in the bilingual classroom, the services and funding available to meet their children's needs, teacher skills necessary for effective bilingual classrooms, and what schools must do to optimize parental involvement in…

A method for evaluating and improving the secondary school environment for limited-English-proficient students is presented. The first section outlines research findings about elements in the school context, curriculum, and staffing found effective in serving LEP students. Desirable factors in the school context include: valuing of students'…

This curriculum sourcebook is designed as a guide for educators of limited-English-speaking adults in literacy education programs. It consists of accounts of actual learning and teaching experiences using a participatory approach to instruction and curriculum development, written by teachers in community-based adult education. An introductory…