The largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, as well as the group with the longest immigration history, is the Chinese. The presence of Chinese immigrants is felt strongly in California, the state where nearly 40 percent of the nation's Chinese have chosen to live. The history of Chinese immigration is traced to help understand Chinese students in California classrooms. The school-age population in California reflects the history of China as well, since immigrants from Taiwan and mainland China arrive with very different views of Chinese history and culture. Immigrants from Hong Kong may feel themselves, or may be seen to be, only marginally Chinese. In California, the immigrant student population is still predominantly Cantonese speaking, but Chinese speakers cannot be lumped together because of the diversity of languages and dialects. These is great diversity among immigrants in the degree of exposure to English and the rate at which English is acquired in the classroom. Against great odds, the majority of Chinese immigrant students have managed to extract a meaningful education and contribute to their adopted homeland. (SLD)