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Abstract

This case study explored how three Japanese expatriate children who moved to Southeast Michigan because of their parents’ job-transfer reacted and adjusted linguistically and culturally to new communities. Based on their experiences and perspectives, this study investigated what kind of potential supports can be provided to navigate their linguistic, cultural, and psychological adjustments to their new host communities in Southeast Michigan. To address these research questions, the three participants’ trajectories of their cross-linguistic, cultural, and psychological adjustments were examined through retrospective semi-structured interviews. Content analyses on their interview comments highlighted the following themes: (1) language-related challenges; (2) cross-cultural experiences and adjustments in local schools; (3) roles of hoshuko (Japanese supplemental schools); (4) little support from parents; and (5) desire to go back to Japan. Implications from these themes provide schoolteachers, administrative coordinators, and parents with pedagogical implications and practical suggestions for navigating Japanese expatriate children’s linguistic, cultural, and psychological adjustments.

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