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.