BICS, which stands for Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, refers to the language ability that individuals use in everyday informal communication situations. Coined by Jim Cummins, a renowned Canadian educational researcher, BICS is commonly used to describe the language skills necessary for social interaction rather than for more complex cognitive and academic tasks.
BICS is typically acquired by a person as they actively participate in conversations, engage in informal discussions, and socialize with others. This form of communication relies heavily on context and situational cues, allowing individuals to rely on non-verbal communication, facial expressions, body language, and environmental cues to convey their ideas and understand others. It is characterized by its rapid development and use of seemingly effortless language skills.
BICS involves the basic vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary for daily conversations, small talk, and interactions in a familiar setting. It allows individuals to express their needs, make simple requests, engage in casual conversations, and comprehend everyday language effortlessly.
While BICS contributes to fluency in spoken language, it does not necessarily cover the broader range of skills needed for academic and cognitive language, known as Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). BICS is often acquired naturally by children through their social interactions, while CALP requires explicit instruction, formal education, and exposure to rich academic language.
In summary, BICS refers to the language proficiency necessary for everyday informal communication in familiar contexts, emphasizing the basic vocabulary and grammar structures needed for social interactions rather than academic tasks.
