BICS and CALP
Learning English is divided into two types of skills: BICS and CALP. BICS is the everyday language a student learns in order to converse with peers and others. CALP is academic language necessary for learning in school. Below is more information on BICS and CALP from the CBE.
Learning English for School
There are two kinds of English skills. One kind is the “everyday” language for conversation. This is called basic interpersonal communication skills or BICS. The other way to use English includes ways of thinking, talking and writing about ideas, especially the ideas of school topics such as science, history or literature. This is called cognitive academic language proficiency or CALP. It may take students many years to learn CALP English. Students develop both BICS and CALP through many different school activities and interactions. They develop English at the same time as they develop their understanding of school topics. They transfer knowledge from their first language.
Elementary Schools
Students take classes with English speakers. Teachers adjust their way of communicating, select different materials, or use different groupings and techniques to help English Language students learn English.
BICS usually takes 1-2 years to acquire while CALP takes longer at 5-7 years. For every student, the time will vary. It takes time to develop English language skills - patience and practice are key!
There are two kinds of English skills. One kind is the “everyday” language for conversation. This is called basic interpersonal communication skills or BICS. The other way to use English includes ways of thinking, talking and writing about ideas, especially the ideas of school topics such as science, history or literature. This is called cognitive academic language proficiency or CALP. It may take students many years to learn CALP English. Students develop both BICS and CALP through many different school activities and interactions. They develop English at the same time as they develop their understanding of school topics. They transfer knowledge from their first language.
Elementary Schools
Students take classes with English speakers. Teachers adjust their way of communicating, select different materials, or use different groupings and techniques to help English Language students learn English.
BICS usually takes 1-2 years to acquire while CALP takes longer at 5-7 years. For every student, the time will vary. It takes time to develop English language skills - patience and practice are key!
