Home Language and Educational Attainments of Ethnic Minorities in Western China

Abstract

This paper discusses effects of home language usage on minority student educational attainment in western China. Using survey data, the author finds that non-Chinese-speaking minority students are at a disadvantage in the transition to senior secondary schools. However, their transition to junior secondary schools is even more complicated. Rural non-Chinese-speaking minority students are at the greatest disadvantage, whereas non-Chinese-speaking minority students in the northwest benefit from a relatively complete bilingual education system there.