FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

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What does "BICS" stand for in relation to language acquisition?

Basic Individual Communication Skills
Behavioral Intercultural Communication Strategies
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
Broad Instructional Communication Standards

The correct answer is: Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills

BICS stands for Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, which refers to the language proficiency needed for everyday, informal communication among peers. This concept was introduced by linguist Jim Cummins to highlight the skills necessary for face-to-face interactions that generally occur within a social setting, such as casual conversations or interactions among friends. BICS is typically contrasted with CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency), which involves the language skills required for academic learning and performance in formal educational settings. Understanding this distinction is crucial for educators, as students may develop BICS relatively quickly while taking much longer to acquire CALP, which is critical for success in academic environments. The other options either misrepresent the terminology or introduce concepts not related to the established framework regarding language acquisition. Understanding BICS helps educators support students, especially English Language Learners, in navigating both social interactions and academic language demands effectively.