Academic Language Development Flashcards

Jim Cummins' distinction between BICS and CALP refers to which two types of language proficiency?

Answer: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency

Cummins distinguished BICS (social, conversational language developed in 1-2 years) from CALP (academic language needed for school success, taking 5-7+ years).

According to Cummins' framework, CALP in a second language typically takes how long to develop to near-native levels?

Answer: 5 to 7 years or more

Research supports that ELs need 5-7+ years to develop academic language proficiency comparable to native English-speaking peers.

Which of the following is the best example of academic language (CALP) rather than social language (BICS)?

Answer: 'The author's use of foreshadowing creates dramatic tension in the narrative.'

Academic language involves discipline-specific vocabulary, complex syntax, and abstract concepts—as demonstrated in literary analysis.

Sheltered Instruction (SI) primarily supports ELs by:

Answer: Making grade-level academic content comprehensible while developing English language skills simultaneously

Sheltered instruction makes grade-level content accessible through visual supports, scaffolds, and language objectives without simplifying the academic rigor.

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model requires teachers to post and address both content objectives and:

Answer: Language objectives

SIOP's defining feature is the explicit inclusion of language objectives alongside content objectives so ELs know what language forms they are expected to learn and use.

Tier 2 academic vocabulary, as defined by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan, consists of words that are:

Answer: High-frequency words that appear across multiple academic disciplines

Tier 2 words (e.g., 'analyze,' 'significant,' 'summarize') cross content areas and are critical for academic success across disciplines.