Jean Kim - Kim-3rd ITML 2017.mp4 (174.31 MB)
“Are we doing the right thing?” How Korean immigrant families practise their family language policies in monolingual-focused New Zealand
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posted on 2017-12-05, 13:22 authored by Jean KIm, Una Cunningham, Jeanette KingThis paper is part of ITML3 http://latllab.canterbury.ac.nz/right-thing-korean-immigrant-families-practise-family-language-policies-monolingual-focused-new-zealand/
Jean Kim, Una Cunningham and Jeanette King
University of Canterbury
“Are we doing the right thing?” How Korean immigrant families practise their family language policies in monolingual-focused New Zealand
This study aims to explore the benefits and challenges of being bilingual in both Korean and English language amongst Korean immigrant families. A recent government report (Office of Ethnic Affairs, 2013) emphasised that English language acquisition by migrant families is important for participation in mainstream society. In contrast to this report, the Office of Ethnic Communities (2016) promotes Heritage and Community Language Celebration Guidelines to encourage immigrants to maintain their languages that may support in language and identity development as well as bring more benefits to society. These differing Government policies create confusion for immigrant families who want their children to be bilingual.
This presentation compares bilingual Korean immigrant family and monolingual of English speaking Korean family in their language practices. The findings show that both the Korean parents and the adolescents believe that an ability to fluently speak two languages helps them to develop a dual identity, and the confidence to positively participate in mainstream society as both Korean and Kiwi. However, a lack of multilingual awareness amongst the majority society may hinder minority language transmission and maintenance in immigrant families.
Jean Kim, Una Cunningham and Jeanette King
University of Canterbury
“Are we doing the right thing?” How Korean immigrant families practise their family language policies in monolingual-focused New Zealand
This study aims to explore the benefits and challenges of being bilingual in both Korean and English language amongst Korean immigrant families. A recent government report (Office of Ethnic Affairs, 2013) emphasised that English language acquisition by migrant families is important for participation in mainstream society. In contrast to this report, the Office of Ethnic Communities (2016) promotes Heritage and Community Language Celebration Guidelines to encourage immigrants to maintain their languages that may support in language and identity development as well as bring more benefits to society. These differing Government policies create confusion for immigrant families who want their children to be bilingual.
This presentation compares bilingual Korean immigrant family and monolingual of English speaking Korean family in their language practices. The findings show that both the Korean parents and the adolescents believe that an ability to fluently speak two languages helps them to develop a dual identity, and the confidence to positively participate in mainstream society as both Korean and Kiwi. However, a lack of multilingual awareness amongst the majority society may hinder minority language transmission and maintenance in immigrant families.
