Term
2011
Capstone
Restricted Access Thesis
Degree Name
MAESL
Abstract
This capstone explored community-based heritage language schools (HLSs) through the eyes of parents who enroll their children. Data for this paper were drawn from parent surveys and focus groups at three Pacific Northwest HLSs: Vietnamese, Armenian, and Ukrainian. A cross-case analysis of the three HLSs explored parent motivations for enrolling children in HLSs, parent satisfaction with the HLSs, and ideas of how mainstream schools could support the work being done at the HLSs. Analysis of the data indicated that the motivations of the three distinct parent groups were similar with slight variations in priorities. The results also suggest that greater resources and support from the mainstream education system would expand the ability of the HLSs to accomplish their mission and meet parents' objectives. Study participants offered concrete suggestions of how educators could support their efforts to pass on their heritage language, and the researcher proposes practical applications for study results.
Recommended Citation
Larsen, Tara Elizabeth, "Preserving immigrant languages: parent perspectives on the benefits of three heritage language schools" (2011). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 458.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/458