"I Am Scared to Show How I Speak": U.S. Transnational Korean Youth's Heritage Language Experiences

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Translanguaging and Languaging: Relationships and Practices

Abstract

In this paper we qualitatively examine the heritage language experiences of U.S. transnational Korean youth in U.S. public schools asking first, what do transnational Korean youth experience when using their heritage language (Korean) in their K-12 public school? and how do these experiences shape the valuing and continued use of their heritage language in and out of school? Drawing on 8 student interviews with six transnational Korean youth, analysis reveals the continued presence of linguicism in U.S. schools and its effects on these youth and their Korean language use. Implications for educators are discussed.

Authors

• Hyesun Kim, University of Utah

• Veronica E. Valdez, University of Utah