CALP and BICS

[Unkotare]

An important distinction that many people misunderstand. When you hear people making ridiculous claims like "my great gandpappy learned English in two months when he moved here!" they are making such a mistake. Anyone can move to any country, learn a few common everyday expressions and how to use and pronounce them correctly and seem much closer to fluent than they are (by far). When learning a new language from scratch, it generally takes 7 years to master it to a degree able to be used for advanced academic work. Learning a few words and phrases is nothing like that.

 

[Zincwarrior]

An important distinction that many people misunderstand. When you hear people making ridiculous claims like "my great gandpappy learned English in two months when he moved here!" they are making such a mistake. Anyone can move to any country, learn a few common everyday expressions and how to use and pronounce them correctly and seem much closer to fluent than they are (by far). When learning a new language from scratch, it generally takes 7 years to master it to a degree able to be used for advanced academic work. Learning a few words and phrases is nothing like that.

You might define the two terms.

 

[Unkotare]

You might define the two terms.

BICS = Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) refer to linguistic skills needed in everyday, social face-to-face interactions.

CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) focuses on proficiency in academic language or language used in the classroom in the various content areas.

Both, of course, apply as matters of degree. Some people are good at using a very limited number of words and phrases in such a way as to seem much more capable with a language than is really the case. Other people remain highly reticent until they really have learned a language to a degree that they feel very confident with it.

 

[Zincwarrior]

BICS = Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) refer to linguistic skills needed in everyday, social face-to-face interactions.

CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) focuses on proficiency in academic language or language used in the classroom in the various content areas.

Both, of course, apply as matters of degree. Some people are good at using a very limited number of words and phrases in such a way as to seem much more capable with a language than is really the case. Other people remain highly reticent until they really have learned a language to a degree that they feel very confident with it.

Noice!