BICS & CALP Homework - Monday 20th July 2009

Q. Describe your own language learning experience and knowledge using the terms of BICS and CALP.

As a UK citizen I speak only one language fluently and this is my mother tongue - English. I am competent to use my language in BICS (socially) and CALP (academically). My CALP vocabulary/word bank has increased dramatically through interaction and discussions within University lectures where the type of language used is more advanced than my social dialogue; and will continue to develop and expand throughout my educated life.

At secondary school I learned French (Francais) for 5 years and now only remember the very basics: Hello - Bonjour, How are you? - Ca va?, I would like- Je voudrais etc...
I could converse socially (BICS) to an extent, but would struggle to converse in an academic setting (CALP) due to the advanced level of language used.

In my third year at University I learned British Sign Language for Beginners. I am now able to hold a conversation in Sign Language, but have had little experience in doing so...and thus have not been able to apply my theoretical knowledge in a practical context. I am thus unaware if I could use this new in terms of CALP. Personally, I believe I would not be able to hold an academic conversation in Sign Language (CALP) because I have not had chance to develop my skills.

As part of the Pathways programme I have come to realise how difficult it is for people learning English as a second/additional language to apply their knowledge in an academic context (CALP). I have been working with people from Spain, Germany and France, and between them they speak many languages. In a social context/activity they are confident and competent to hold a lengthy conversation about numerous topics, but within the classroom it has been difficult for them to express themselves effectively. At which point they have turned to me for help in translating. This has helped me to understand and differentiate between BICS and CALP because without this 'real life' experience here in America, I may have found it difficult to imagine what it is like to speak more than one language, because I cannot do so myself! I am looking forward to see how these language learners develop over the next five weeks, and how I develop myself.