Jim Cummins is a professor at the University of Toronto Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and has been a driving force behind bilingual education for the past three decades. Professor Cummins research has laid the foundation for the understanding of language as a cognitive development rather than a behavior. Professor Cummins found that being bilingual improves classroom learning and that first language provides a sturdy foundation for second-language acquisition.1
Through his research, Professor Cummins identified two types of language, basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) and cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP). The next few pages will further define (BICS) and (CALP).
Through his research, Professor Cummins identified two types of language, basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) and cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP). The next few pages will further define (BICS) and (CALP).
1. SLAEncyclopediaSp12 "Cummins' Theories of Language and Cognition"