Who introduced the concepts of BICS and CALP?

The concepts of BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills) and CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) were introduced by Jim Cummins. These concepts differentiate between the types of language proficiency needed for social interactions versus academic success. BICS refers to the conversational language skills that learners acquire in informal, everyday contexts, which are often easier to develop and can be seen in basic communication among peers. In contrast, CALP refers to the language ability necessary for academic learning and critical thinking, which takes longer to develop and is more complex.

Cummins' distinction is vital for educators in understanding that students may appear fluent in social conversations but may struggle in academic settings due to insufficient CALP. This understanding helps in designing appropriate instructional strategies that support English language learners in both conversational and academic language development. Hence, Jim Cummins is recognized for these influential concepts in the field of ESL (English as a Second Language) education.