FYI: Journal article on Korean heritage learners

[McGinnis, Scott]

With thanks to Donna Christian for the tip....

Language Culture & Curriculum Volume 15 No 2

The Korean Language in America: The Role of Cultural Identity in
Heritage Language Learning
Jin Sook Lee,  Rutgers University, NJ, USA

The paper examines the role of cultural identity and heritage language
maintenance among the lives of 40 second-generation Korean-American
university students in the United States. The study focuses on three
questions: (1) what is the level of heritage language proficiency and
language use among second generation Korean-American youths?; (2) which
culture(s) do these youths identify themselves with, Korean or American,
and to what extent?; and (3) is there a relationship between cultural
identity and heritage language proficiency? Qualitative and quantitative
analyses of the questionnaire data showed that most second-generation
Korean-Americans achieve some level of Korean proficiency, but they
overwhelmingly agree that it is not enough. They acknowledge the
importance of knowing their heritage language, but feel that the
existing language courses in the community-based language schools are
not meeting their needs. The informants stated that the absence of
societal recognition of the importance in maintaining their heritage
language was the most significant factor in their lack of motivation to
maintain their heritage language. However, they appear to have formed a
unique bicultural identity composed of characteristics from both Korean
and American cultures. A regression analysis showed that heritage
language proficiency was related to strength of bicultural
identification.
http://www.catchword.com/rpsv/catchword/mm/07908318/v15n2/s3/p117