Su Yeong Kim

Empowering Young Interpreters as Language Brokers Young language brokers are young interpreters who bridge cultural divides, support families, and foster inclusive, multilingual communities worldwide.

Ever had to translate adult conversations as a kid? Doctors’ visits, parent-teacher meetings… It’s called language brokering and it can be both empowering and overwhelming. In my new article, I share how parents can turn this challenge into growth.

Read here:
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empo...

How Family Support Counters Discrimination: Dr. Dr. Su Yeong Kim and colleagues examine how experiences of discrimination and practices of ethnoracial socialization affect mental health…

How does family support help young people navigate discrimination?

In my latest article, I share findings from our multi-wave study on Mexican-origin families, revealing how emotional support within families can protect youth against the harmful effects of bias.

medium.com/@dr.suyeongk...

My immigrant parents attended my Yale graduation. Seeing them on the Ivy League campus for the first time was surprisingly moving. My parents never had the opportunity to explore Yale while I was a student for the last four years. They didn't fit in with the other families.

This story captures how children in immigrant families often act as cultural bridges for their parents, especially during milestones like graduation, revealing both resilience and quiet emotional labor.

www.businessinsider.com/immigrant-pa...

Can Stress Be Inherited? By Dr. Su Yeong Kim —  Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin

Can stress be passed down across generations?
I recently published an article examining the science of inherited stress and its implications for family health and well-being.

Read the full article here:
medium.com/@dr.suyeongk...

#MentalHealth #IntergenerationalTrauma #DrSuYeongKim

This was a fantastic read!

This book explores how ice was initially only for the rich, yet evolved to be for everyone and everywhere in today’s society.

I definitely recommend reading this👍

Preserving Heritage Languages: Why it matters for families and identity  - The Educators Room Heritage language is vital for preserving identity, fostering connections, and combating global language loss through multilingualism.

Why does preserving heritage languages matter? Because they keep our cultures and family histories alive.

My article highlights how these languages shape our sense of belonging

Read the full article:
theeducatorsroom.com/preserving-h...

Functional Language Proficiency in Bilingual Children: A Conceptual Framework, Culturally Responsive Practice, and Measurement Approach Purpose: Functional language proficiency is presented as a conceptual framework that builds upon cultural–linguistic assets in bilingually develo...

Functional Language Proficiency in Bilingual Children: A Conceptual Framework, Culturally Responsive Practice, and Measurement Approach | Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/...

Bilingual education isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Beyond language skills, it boosts problem-solving and cognitive flexibility. Imagine the impact if all schools made it a core part of the curriculum.
#BilingualEducation#LanguageDiversity #EducationForAll

When a Relationship Is Both Very Good and Very Bad Ambivalent relationships occur when partners have both strong positive and strong negative feelings toward each other at the same time, often due to attachment style.

These words ring especially true in immigrant and bilingual families. Language brokering isn’t just about translation—it’s emotional work that shapes trust, empathy, and relational strength.

Every act of interpretation for their family becomes a moment of connection or tension.

Tip for future researchers: Ask the hard questions.

It’s easy to get stuck in the small details of research, but sometimes the most impactful findings come from asking questions that challenge the status quo.

The bigger the question, the bigger the impact.

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month — a reminder that mental health matters in every community.
As educators, we have a role to play in advocating for mental health services that help all youth and families feel seen, supported, and valued.

Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Journey to Advocacy Through Research Dr. Su Yeong Kim shares her journey from being a young immigrant to advocating for immigrant-origin children through research.

"Although language brokering is common, many people look down on it."

Reflecting on this insight, I hope we continue nurturing bilingual youth—recognizing their resilience and developmental strength.

Read my published interview here:
🔗 girlpowertalk.com/people-we-ad...

#LanguageBrokering