Zhang studies three domains of acculturation--language attitudes, cultural participation and social network--in relation to home language maintenance. Her results indicate that while most parents use Chinese as their dominant language, the majority of the second-generation children prefer using English. The different language attitudes and preferences accompany inter-generational conflict. Parents see home language maintenance as critical to family cohesion and second-generation children become language and cultural brokers within the family. Co-ethnic networks, including extended family ties, children s co-ethnic peers, and the co-ethnic community, are important forces that contribute to children s home language maintenance.

Donghui Zhang is Assistant Professor at the Institute of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include immigrant education, bilingual education, language, culture and education etc. She is currently working on a project Chinese Migrant Children in Urban Areas: Schooling and Identity Formation.