BICS and CALPS
The Iceberg Theory
How long does it take for English Language Learners to become proficient in English?
How long does it take for English Language Learners to become proficient in English?
It can take even up to 10 years:
It can take even up to 10 years:
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS)
- social language
- typically develops within 1-2 years
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALPS)
- higher level content area vocabulary
- typically develops within 5-10 years
