Abstract
The pressure of learning English in a very short period of time, often leaves families in a very difficult place where they have to make a choice between one language and another. Some students were able to maintain a very “high” level of proficiency in their heritage language, while others had remained at a very “low” level of language proficiency. This thesis looks into the factors that influence Russian language maintenance and loss among Russian-American students. The research focuses on students’ language use and language attitudes towards their home language in relation to maintenance or loss of their home language. A sample of sixty Russian six graders took the Language Use and Attitude Survey. Data from the survey was the basis of this study, which compared each student’s attitude towards the language to the students’ language use and loss. The result of this study showed that, even though students have positive attitudes towards their heritage language, their use of Russian language outside of the family setting and in some cases within the family setting is very low. More contexts outside of the home need to be available to facilitate, require and promote the appreciation and development of the Russian language.