BICS-CALP: An Introduction for Some, a Review for Others
H. K. Roessingh · TESL Canada Journal · 2005
BICS-CALP: An Introduction for Some, a Review for Others Hetty RoessinghOver the past few years, I have often been invited to speak to various audiences on topics related to the development of English-language proficiency, most recently as the dinner speaker (May 14, 2004) for the SCENES conference in Saskatoon.The audience response and the kinds of questions asked led me to wish to share the framework that I have adopted, some visual representations that illustrate the key concepts embedded in the framework, and some research that supports the use of this framework as helpful in explaining the development of English-language proficiency.The following is a brief introduction for some and a review for others.I have adopted Cummins ' (1982) metaphor of an iceberg to illustrate the BICS-CALP continuum, and I have adapted Cummins' original framework-in my view at least-to fit better with the iceberg metaphor and the available research.This is as always a work in progress: we have so much yet to learn! Figure 1.