CALP VS.

BICS
CALP: Cognitive
Academic Language
Proficiency

Formal academic
learning
Listening, speaking,
reading, and writing
about content

Needed for success in

school

Skills: Comparing,
Classifying,
Synthesizing,
Evaluating, Inferring

BICS: Basic
Interpersonal
Communication Skills
Language skills needed

in day-to-day, social
situations in order to
interact with others
Learn BICS when ELL
students are on the
playground, at lunch,
playing sports, and
talking to one another
Language develops
within six months to two
years

Miscommunication:
When teachers think

ELL
BROCHU
RE
By: Sara Riemer

You cannot
open a book,
without
learning
something
Confucius

Always
create a safe
environment!

How to create a safe

environment:

Set up a conference if
possible with the
parents
Label objects
Incorporate words or
phrases from the
students native
language into your
lesson and activities

English-language learners, or
ELLs, are students who are
unable to communicate fluently
or learn effectively in English,
who often come from nonEnglish-speaking homes and
backgrounds, and who typically
require specialized or modified
instruction in both the English
language and in their academic
courses.

5
Strategies
for ELL
Instructio
n!

5 Strategies:

Know Your Terms!

ELL vs. ESL
ELL: English Language
Learner
ESL: English as a Second
Language
Any student that speaks a
language other than
English at home takes an
English language
proficiency test.

1) Scaffolding Understanding: ELLs can

be given the opportunity to meet
academic success.

ESL describes the services

that are available to LEP
students.

2) Purposeful Grouping: ELLs learn best

when they are provided with a range of
models for how to use English words or
structure.

Can Dos

3) Background Knowledge: Allows ELLs

students to bridge new material with
old material.
4) Extend Discussion: ELLs learn best
through this after reading.
5) Valuing Linguistic Differences:
Schools and teachers can learn about
ELLs home culture and language,
treating cultures and linguistic
differences as resources.

If have LEPs, learn the

English proficiency levels
for the following areas:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing