THIS STUDY INVESTIGATED KOREAN children's cultural adjustment during transition to South Australian junior primary school settings. Using case-study methodology to provide a sociocultural perspective, data were collected during interviews with a sample of South Korean international students aged five to eight years, their mothers and teachers. All participants were asked to identify experiences that facilitated or impeded the children's cultural adjustment to school life in Australia. The study found that language difficulties were a major concern for these children in adapting to an Australian education setting. Successful cultural adjustment was found to link to positive interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers and the ability to adapt to Australian classroom teaching methodology. The study identified cultural adjustment issues which may also be relevant to other students from a non-English-speaking background and for teachers of international students.
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