1. Hmong Culture and Language
Mai Houa Vue
Kelly Schmieg
Ashley Davis
Michelle Heidt

2. History Agricultural group of people originating from China
Migrated to southern China, Laos, and Vietnam to escape oppression
Hmong of Laos recruited by US CIA to fight in the “Secret War in Laos” ( )
After the war, Hmong were targets of retaliation for helping the Americans in war

3. History Many fled Laos into Thailand to escape persecution
Those that made it across the border lived in refugee camps
1976- Hmong families first resettled in USA and other countries
Hmong people can be found in China, Lao, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Australia, France, Canada, among other countries

4. Resettlement in the U.S.
*Groups of Hmong initially resettled in cities across the US but many relocated to 3 main states: CA, MN, WI

5. Sponsored by family members & relatives
1,000+ churches that work with Hmong
community to sponsor refugees
1980s- UM Agricultural Extension Service provided $6 million for education, equipment, and land to Hmong farmers and their families
Large Hmong community
Available organizations that provide services such as English classes and employment services
Why Minnesota?

6. School and Literacy Short history with formal education
Isolation in Laos
Location barriers
Language barriers
Non-literate
Written language 1950’s

7. How will this affect instruction?
Value of formal education
De-valued or highly valued
May not be able to get help with schoolwork at home
After-school program, tutoring, in-class help, etc.
How will this affect instruction?

8. Language
There are two main dialects of Hmong language are the Green Hmong and the White Hmong.
Hmong is a monosyllabic
English is polysyllabic
Teachers: Break polysyllabic English words into syllables that resemble Hmong words.

9. Hmong students need help understanding that in English many words that are spelled the same but hold different meaningful tones. Also learning pitch patterns will help them better learn how to pronounce long words
Language

10. Language Words in the Hmong language only have one form.
This is a great leaning opportunity for the study of such words (past tense verbs, contractions, idioms etc.) that are uncommon in Hmong culture.

11. Cultural Norms Direct eye contact Talking about me Yes means…?
Correct in private
Facial Expressions
Explanations for behavior
De-emphasize individual
Early Families

12. Impact on Classroom Performance
Directly
Indirectly
Looking away in conversations
Framing - inquiring questions
Absence of questions from students
Completing school
Parent Interactions
Head of Household
In-laws

13. Do not make assumptions Pause to check for understanding Scaffolding
Tie in other cultures (Hmong culture)
Guest speakers
Inclusive Classrooms

14. Works Cited
Handbook for Teaching Hmong-Speaking Students. Developed by Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout,Bruce T. Downing, Judy Lewis and Dao Yang. Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Southeast Asia Community Resource Center, Retrieved from
Refugee and Immigrant Population in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Macalester College.  Retrieved from
Street, B.V. (Ed.) (1993). Cross Cultural Approaches to Literacy. New York, NY: Cambridge University Print.
Lao Family Community of Minnesota Inc. (1997).  Cultural competency- working with the Hmong. Retrieved from
Vang, K. (2009). Do I look up or do I look down? Reflections of a Hmong American English learner and educator. Journal of Southeast Asian American Education & Advancement. 4, 1-9.