Resiliency in Native Languages : Three Indigenous Communities' Experiences with Language Immersion

Este texto se presentó como comunicación al II Congreso Internacional de Etnografía y Educación: Migraciones y Ciudadanías. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 5-8 Septiembre 2008.This paper examines the outcomes of language immersion models implemented by three Indigenous communities to revitalize and preserve their native languages through ethnographic research design and methods. The history and implementation of language instruction in three Indigenous communities are described. The multi-stage analysis includes an examination of national and state test scores and other qualitative and quantitative data for the school communities. School demographics and standardized tests are used in the comparison of case studies as well as the relevant issues featured in the research literature about indigenous language revitalization. Data findings are summarized and include analysis of additional anecdotal information and test data used to explore research questions about academic achievement and Native language-medium education