by Abby Sakovich M.S., CCC-SLP
During the 2012-2013 school year, there were 4.85 million English Language Learners (ELLs) in
the US public school system. Experts project that ELLs will make up 40% of the school-aged
population in the US by the year 2030. Some parts of the country are already reporting that
between 60%-70% of students speak a primary language (L1) other than English. This increase
does not appear to be leveling off or decreasing anytime soon. Factors such as age and amount
of formal education affect how a student acquires English. These factors can make it challenging
to determine whether difficulty in the classroom is due to a language-learning disability or
typical of second language acquisition. Students acquiring a second language (L2) may also
demonstrate similar patterns seen in students with a learning disability.
Learning Disabled Students and Students Learning a Second Language may:
- demonstrate a short attention span
- appear distracted/confused
- gesture more than speaking
- use single words/phrases
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- comment inappropriately
- demonstrate poor recall/comprehension
- display weak vocabulary/syntax
- have difficulty sequencing ideas/events
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Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in determining whether these patterns are
consistent with a language learning disability or typical of second language acquisition. Students
may exhibit patterns that are not consistent with typical language development in L1. These
patterns do not indicate a language impairment.
While Acquiring a Second Language A Student May Experience:
- Silent Period: The time in which a student speaks very little and focuses on listening and comprehending a new language. A younger student (i.e., preschool age) may remain in the Silent Period for a year or more, but an older student’s Silent Period may only last a few weeks or months.
- Interference/Transfer: A student may transfer rules from L1 to English, creating an error in meaning, pragmatics, or grammar.
- Codeswitching: A student may alternate between L1 and English when talking.
- Interlanguage: A student may develop a form of language inconsistent with L1 and English. In other words, “interlanguage” is a student’s best attempt to apply order and structure to the competing language systems.
- Language Loss: When a student has limited opportunities to practice L1, some loss of skill or fluency may occur.
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS)
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) are the language skills
required for meaningful social interaction such as talking to peers in the
cafeteria or playing on the playground. These skills usually develop within
six months to two years after a student begins learning a second language.
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP)
Cognitive Academic Language is the language needed for academic and
professional success related to listening, learning, reading, and writing. On
average, it takes 5-7 years to obtain “academic English,” which allows the
student to compare and contrast, classify, evaluate, infer, and synthesize
information presented in the classroom or read in a textbook.
Minding the BICS-CALP Gap
As students get older, the context of academic tasks decreases, and the cognitive demand
increases. Research shows that the amount of schooling a student receives in L1 directly relates
to the speed of English language learning. A student learning English as a second language
typically develops the social language (BICS) used in conversations quickly, but struggles to
develop the academic language (CALP) used in the classroom at the same pace. A student
assumed to be proficient in English often performs poorly on standardized assessments when
measured against English speaking peers. While a student’s social language may appear fluent
and adequate in everyday conversation, professionals can often misinterpret the gap between
social and academic language as a language-learning disability. Misidentifying these students
can lead to unnecessary services, thereby decreasing access to appropriate curriculum and
social issues. Speech-Language Pathologists play a large role in minding the gap by conducting
thorough evaluations of English Language Learners in order to appropriately identify their
cognitive and academic potential.
Be on the lookout for helpful strategies and assessment modifications for effective English Language
Learning evaluations in Minding the Gap: Part Two.
Resources
Acquiring English as a Second Language, What’s “Normal,” What’s not retrieved 7/27/2016 from www.asha.org
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