Important Information About English Language Learners: A Quick Overview
-Depending on the student, it takes about five to seven years to become proficient in a language. -It takes about two to three years to acquire basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) and approximately seven to ten years to acquire CALPS (cognitive academic language proficiency). -Many students may go through what is called a "silent period" in the pre-production stage of learning where they may not produce language, however this DOES NOT mean that they are not learning. -In order for students to become comfortable in our classroom, as teachers we need to establish a safe environment for learning which includes working in groups or partners and targeting instruction based on their language/WIDA level. ***See WIDA Can Do Descriptors in WIDA booklet. |