There's a lot of buzz surrounding Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) vs. Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). The two terms represent different skills students need to reach language fluency. Continue reading below to learn about these distinct skills and how best to help students reach their full potential in a foreign language.
BICS
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) is the language we use in our daily interactions with others.
However, BICS is a crucial skill for all aspects of life, not just when interacting with friends and family. That's because BICS underlies all communication — without it, we wouldn't be able to understand or be understood by others. In other words, BICS is the foundation upon which all other communication skills are built.
BICS is also important because it helps us avoid conflict. Most conflict arises when there is a misunderstanding or a miscommunication between people. By developing basic communication skills, we can effectively communicate our needs and wants and we can also understand what others are saying to us.
BICS is essential because it allows us to build relationships with others. Good communication is the key to a good relationship. If we can't communicate effectively, we will have difficulty building trust and developing rapport with others. With strong BICS skills, we can develop relationships more easily.
CALP
As any student knows, learning a new language does not only entail memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules.
There is also the challenge of using a new language for academic purposes. This is known as Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency, or CALP.
In a nutshell, CALP is a student’s formal academic learning. That's a mouthful, but it basically refers to the language used in school and work, as opposed to the more casual language used in daily life.
To develop CALP skills, students need to understand and use language for complex tasks such as listening to lectures, taking notes and writing essays. This can be a challenge for even the most dedicated language learner. However, with perseverance and practice, it is possible to develop the skills necessary for academic and business success.
What Exactly Do BICS And CALP Mean?
Both terms refer to different aspects of language learning. BICS skills are necessary for everyday conversation, like small talk and speaking on the phone. CALP skills are needed for academic success, like writing essays and participating in class discussions.
Because BICS skills are acquired more quickly than CALP skills, they are often considered to be the foundation of language learning. However, both BICS and CALP skills are essential for mastering a new language.
Why Is It Important to Know the Difference Between BICS and CALP?
In our increasingly globalized world, communication is critical. Whether we're interacting with co-workers or clients, friends or family, the ability to communicate effectively is essential. While BICS language skills are easier to develop, acquiring the ability to communicate in the workforce or academia is a must. Effective communication must also encompass cross-cultural communication, including an understanding of traditions and customs. Failure to acquire these important skills can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding and even conflict.
If you want to avoid communication issues, teaching both BICS and CALP is essential. That way, students will be able to effectively communicate no matter who they’re talking to or what situation they’re in.
What Roles Do BICS and CALP Play in Vocabulary Development?
BICS vs. CALP is often compared to the difference between conversational and academic language.
Both BICS and CALP are essential for vocabulary development, and overall, for learning English. BICS covers the building blocks of language acquisition. Through these skills, you will be able to better articulate yourself and understand native speakers. CALP, on the other hand, requires an understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express oneself eloquently.
BICS is generally acquired sooner than CALP. According to a Stanford University study, it typically takes a couple of years to develop BICS skills, whereas it can take five years or more to develop CALP skills. Therefore, BICS plays a more critical role in early vocabulary development, while CALP becomes increasingly essential as a student’s vocabulary grows.
How Newspapers Can Help Develop CALP Skills
It's no secret that content is a valuable tool for teaching and learning languages. Newspapers, in particular, can be great asserts in developing better business and academic skills. Reputable publications like The New York Times feature world-class journalists who are expert writers. Students can gain a better understanding through newspaper articles on what constitutes good writing.
By reading articles aloud, students can practice pronouncing new vocabulary words and work on their intonation and stress patterns — all critical aspects of academic language.
Newspapers can also help teach English, since they often address more complex topics than what may be discussed during small talk. Reading the news can encourage students to discuss climate change and politics. News articles for education can also provide a critical gateway into how a culture thinks or what it values. In addition, newspapers can facilitate discussion, which can expand students' critical thinking skills — an essential component of any university-level course.
Learning English with newspapers is a great tool to develop some of these more advanced skills.
NYTLicensing for Teaching Language
For years, The New York Times has been one of the most trusted sources of news and information. Now, with NYTLicensing, English language learners can harness the power of educational content to improve their language skills.
With NYTLicensing, students can access a wealth of articles, videos and audio clips that can help them develop their English language skills. NYTLicensing is particularly valuable for English students because it provides BICS and CALP content.
