Native Langage And School: A Case Study On Ethnic College Students' Language Practices And Their Acadmic Experience At Northeast Normal University

Ethnic minority students are enrolled in formal education everyday around the world. This study explores the influence of the environment upon the participants'native language use. The concept of practice describes the use of the language in this study; it also surveys the role of native languages in connection with the academic performance. In addition, it inquires about the advantanges and the challenges of studying in a second language for Chinese ethnic minority students in Northeast Normal University. A pilot study was used to test the questions for this study. A bilingual questionnaire in English and Chinese and an interview-focus group were used to collect data; All the information was tape recorded to save the information. The gathering and analysis were guided for three research questions that attempt to show the language used in the university, the role of the native language in the participants field of study and the experience of use a second language as medium of instruction. The findings show that the native language plays an important role in the studies of the participants and it is a mark of identity for them. The study wants to contribute to the literature about ethnic minority students in China and other countries.