So we don't fade away: Nepali language programming as a means of cultural preservation for Bhutanese youth

Utah is home to a substantial number of refugees, over half of whom are children. Refugee youth typically have a very challenging time adjusting to the U.S. education system because they are often pre-literate in their native language, have little or no formal education experience, and their cultural backgrounds are not valued. This research study has illuminated the experiences of Bhutanese refugee youth in a community-based Nepali language development program. The youth's involvement and views of this program highlight the value of native language or heritage language literacy acquisition as one way to combat the difficulties that refugees face in adjusting to a new country and to help them develop a positive self-identity, cultural pride and a feeling of belonging in their communities.