Language Learning Focus: BICS vs CALP
AKA Everyday Speech vs Academic Capabilities
As the year winds down, I’ve been exceedingly busy with holiday planning, preparing for a visit from my mom, and finishing up a course I’m taking on Coursera (an awesome online learning resource—read more about it in my post, Loanwords: helpful or hurtful).
What course, you may ask? One that explores a topic that fascinates me to no end: the intricate connection between language learning and the human brain.
The Bilingual Brain with Professor Arturo E. Hernandez from the University of Houston discusses how bilingualism shapes and is shaped by the brain. The course examines key factors in secondary language learning, like age of acquisition, proficiency, and control, providing insights into how we can approach bilingual learning more effectively.
There’s so much to unpack from this course, but today, I want to underline a concept that struck me as both profound and practical—the distinction between BICS and CALP.
When learning a new language, it's valuable to recognize that there are two major types of language skills at play: Basic Intercommunication Skills (BICS) and Cognitive and Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). While both are crucial, they serve different purposes in communication and learning.
Here’s what sets them apart:
BICS are the everyday language skills we use in social interactions. They are…
Acquired quickly (usually within the first two years of learning a new language).
Used for casual, face-to-face conversations.
Essential for building social relationships.
Examples include exchanging greetings, asking for directions, and ordering food.
While BICS are essential, they require less cognitive effort and don’t involve deep comprehension. They represent conversational fluency but don’t equate to full language proficiency.
CALP refers to the language skills needed for academic success and complex cognitive tasks. These skills…
Take much longer to develop (five to seven years or more).
Are necessary for understanding complex concepts and engaging in critical thinking.
Involve advanced grammar, vocabulary, and abstract reasoning.
Examples include reading comprehension, essay writing, participating in academic discussions, and solving math or science problems.
Mastering CALP is vital for navigating academic environments and achieving true language proficiency.
Varying levels of transferability:
CALP: Highly transferable. For example, having an expert understanding of terminology regarding biology in your native language makes it easier to discuss and learn the subject in a second language.
BICS: Less transferable. Younger learners often have an advantage here. Nuances like accents, idiomatic expressions, or humor can be more challenging for older learners to fully grasp.
Why this matters to us:
Many language learners feel comfortable using BICS but struggle when it comes to academic settings that demand CALP. Understanding the difference between these two types of language skills can help learners and educators alike. It’s important not to mistake conversational fluency for full proficiency. Both BICS and CALP are vital, but true language mastery involves achieving a balance between the two.
Take the quiz below to ascertain which of these skills you need to reach your language learning goals:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: true fluency in any language comes down to dedicated and focused practice. But it’s vital to target your efforts strategically. By understanding the distinct roles of BICS and CALP, you can pinpoint the areas that will most effectively elevate your skills, whether it’s mastering casual conversations or excelling in academic or professional settings.
I’ll leave any English language learners with a few options you can access on Kindle or order on Amazon.
If you need improvement in the area of BICS: English for Everyone: English Idioms, Vocabulary Builder, Phrasal Verbs 3-Book Box Set—a comprehensive collection perfect for expanding your conversational fluency and mastering everyday expressions.
If your focus leans more toward CALP: Practice Makes Perfect Advanced English Reading and Comprehension—a resource ideal for honing your academic language skills and improving your ability to analyze and understand complex texts.
Thanks for the chat,
P.S. Here’s what I meant by…
wind down: gradually slow down or bring something to an end after a busy time
to know end: endlessly
control: a learner’s ability to consistently and accurately use language forms, structures, and vocabulary in communication without conscious effort
unpack: analyze or explore the deeper meaning of something
strike: to make a sudden and strong impression on someone
at play: something is actively influencing or affecting a situation
transferability: the extent to which language skills learned in one language can be applied to another language
P.P.S.
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