Social distance, motivation and other factors contributing to success in language acquisition and achievement among adolescent Mexican immigrants

Adolescent immigrant English learners who enter U.S. schools at the secondary level are faced with challenges that distinguish their experience in second language acquisition from that of children and adults. Some of the challenges they face include limited time to acquire academic English proficiencey in reading and writing, difficulty in assimilating into English speaking American culture, and limited programs and services at the secondary level.