1. Second Language Development
Teaching the ESOL Student in the Mainstream Classroom
Module 2

2. Contents:
Language Development:
BICS vs. CALP
Stages of Language Development
Paralinguistic Communication

3. BICS vs. CALP

4. BICS vs. CALP
Linguist Jim Cummins distinguishes between two types of language – Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency.

5. BICS vs. CALP
Cummins developed the BICS and CALP Theory as a way to distinguish the time periods of language development. Without knowledge of BICS vs. CALP, teachers may have unrealistic expectations or remove educational support too early.

6. BICS vs. CALP Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
BICS refers to the first two years of language acquisition where children are acquiring conversational language.
Children need active knowledge of approximately 3000 words to begin feeling comfortable with conversational English.

7. BICS vs. CALP Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
CALP refers to the stage when children are acquiring academic language.
It takes about 5-7 years to acquire the cognitive academic language necessary to be a successful student.

8. BICS vs. CALP Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
Children need active knowledge of approximately 6000 words to begin feeling comfortable with academic English.

9. BICS vs. CALP
Think of language acquisition as an iceberg. What you see on the surface is only the beginning of what a child needs to be a successful student (BICS).
Below the surface is the knowledge and support of CALP, an enormous amount of information.

10. Stages of Language Development

11. Stages of Language Development
Language development follows predictable and sequential stages ranging from no knowledge of a language to proficiency similar to a native speaker.
The time it takes a language learner to progress through the stages varies based on numerous factors.

12. Stages of Language Development
There are five stages of language development:

13. Stages of Language Development
Stage 1: The Silent/Receptive or Preproductive Stage
Stage 2: The Early Production Stage
Stage 3: The Speech Emergence Stage
Stage 4: The Intermediate Language Proficiency Stage
Stage 5: The Advanced Language Proficiency Stage

14. Stage 1: Silent/Receptive or Preproductive
Can last up to six months
500 receptive words (words child understands but may not be comfortable using yet)
Able to understand new words made comprehensible
Involves “silent period” where children respond only nonverbally
Teachers should create a comfortable environment where child is not forced to speak

15. Stage 2: Early Production
Can last six months beyond Stage 1
1,000 receptive/active words (words child is able to understand and use)
Child speaks in short phrases
Can show comprehension by answering simple who, what, where, yes, no questions

16. Stage 3: Speech Emergence
Can last another year
3,000 receptive and active words
Child uses phrases and short sentences
Can ask and answer simple questions
May produce longer sentences with grammatical errors

17. Stage 4: Intermediate Language Proficiency
May take up to another year
6,000 receptive and active words
Beginning complex sentences and questions
Able to share ideas and speak with more confidence

18. Stage 5: Advanced Language Proficiency
Takes 5-7 years
Receptive and active academic content area vocabulary
Can participate in grade-level activities with support
Grammar and vocabulary approaching native speaker

19. Stages of Language Development
The key to guiding children through the stages of language development is to remember Krashen’s
i+1
Comprehensible Input.

20. Paralinguistic Communication

21. Paralinguistic Communication
Paralinguistics is the part of communication outside of the words themselves – the volume, speed, intonation of a voice along with gestures and other non-verbal cues.

22. Paralinguistic Communication
Whenever there is confusion or stereotyping in cross-cultural communication, paralinguistics is most often responsible.

23. Paralinguistic Communication
Paralinguistics can be broken down into categories. The following are the most important for the classroom.

24. Paralinguistic Communication
Paralinguistics can be broken down into categories. The following are the most important for the classroom.
Gestures
Facial Expressions
Eye Contact
Kinesics - Body Language
Proxemics

25. Paralinguistic Communication
Gestures

26. Paralinguistic Communication
Gestures
Gestures are commonly used in the classroom to help convey a message to second language learners.
Be Careful! Gestures have different meanings in different cultures!

27. Paralinguistic Communication
Gestures
Gestures are crucial to making language comprehensible.
Gestures are easily misinterpreted.

28. Paralinguistic Communication
Facial
Expression

29. Paralinguistic Communication
Facial Expression
Many facial expressions are universal.
Japanese often refrain from showing emotion through facial expression – especially negative emotions.
Eyebrow movement is very telling.

30. Paralinguistic Communication
Eye
Contact

31. Paralinguistic Communication
Eye Contact
Eye contact provides necessary feedback for conversations to take place such as turn taking, beginning, and ending conversations.
The amount of eye contact deemed appropriate is very culturally based – too much or too little can show boredom, intimidation, or disrespect.

32. Paralinguistic Communication
Kinesics –
Body Language

33. Paralinguistic Communication
Kinesics – Body Language
Postures give quite a bit of information.
Is the listener open or closed to the speaker?
Is the speaker showing dominance by being at a higher level?
Are other objects used as a comfort?

34. Paralinguistic Communication
Proxemics

35. Paralinguistic Communication
Proxemics
Each person in each culture has a need for personal space that can vary greatly.
How far apart do you sit/stand when you talk?
How do you feel when someone enters your personal space?

36. Paralinguistic Communication
What are some common paralinguistic miscues?

37. Paralinguistic Communication
Talking “too loud” is often an American trait seen as a sign of aggression or tactless behavior
The British speaking softly is seen as secretive
Japanese Proverb: “Those who know do not speak – those who speak do not know.”
American and Arabic cultures avoid silence

38. Paralinguistic Communication
What effect does this have on the classroom?

39. Bibliography
Caper, Simon. (May 2000). Nonverbal Communication and the Second Language Learner: Some pedagogic considerations. The Language Teacher Online, Retrieved December 8, 2003 from
Intermundo Glossary of Intercultural Terms. Retrieved December 8, 2003 from
Center for Applied Linguistics. (2000). Enhancing English Language Learning in Elementary Classrooms. Delta Publishing Company.
Cummins, J. BICS and CALP. Retrieved December 9, 2003 from

40. Bibliography
Mason, T. (unknown). Didactics 10-Critique of Krashen VI. IUFM de Versailles. Online.
Reed, B. & Railsback, J. (2003). Strategies and Resources for Mainstream Teachers of English Language Learners. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Online.
Schütz, Ricardo. (2002). Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition. English Made in Brazil Online.

41. Bibliography
Unknown. (2002). Noam Chomsky Biography. MIT Linguistics. Online.

42. The
End