What is Jim Cummins theory?
Cummins believed that if a learner has already learned a language, namely their native tongue, then they are readily equipped to learn a second. This common underlying proficiency gives every learner the ability to learn new languages!
What does cognitively undemanding mean?
Cognitively undemanding communication requires a minimal amount of abstract or critical thinking. Examples of cognitively undemanding communication are a conversation on the playground, or simple yes/no questions in the classroom.
What are Cummins four quadrants?
Quadrant I. High context, low cognitive demand (easiest)
Which should be taught first BICS or CALP?
The first is the language used in social situations, called Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS). The second is needed in formal academic settings, like the chemistry lesson, referred to as Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).
How long does CALP take to develop?
It takes learners at least five years to develop CALP. Research from Collier and Thomas (1995) has shown that it may take children with no prior instruction or no support in native language development at least seven years to develop CALP. The distinction between BICS and CALP was made by Professor Jim Cummins.
Why is CALP harder than BICS?
Catching up with their peers in a classroom setting might be more difficult than socializing using BICS. CALP is more than just being familiar with the content of the vocabulary. The difference between BICS and CALP is that BICS is contextualized in specific social situations while CALP is more context reduction.
What does Jim Cummins mean by cognitive demands?
Similarly, Cummins distinguished between the different cognitive demands that communication can place on the learner. According to Cummins, language can be cognitively undemanding or cognitively demanding. Cognitively undemanding communication requires a minimal amount of abstract or critical thinking.
What kind of model does Professor Cummins use?
Cummins has devised a model whereby the different tasks we expect our students to engage in can be categorized. In the diagram below tasks range in difficulty along one continuum from cognitively undemanding to cognitively demanding; and along the other continuum from context-embedded to context-reduced.
Is it good practice to use Cummins quadrants?
It is designed for aiding thinking when designing learning for children with English as an additional language (EAL), but as is often the case with good practice designed for minority groups, I think it is actually good practice for all learners.
What does Cummins mean by highly embedded and context-reduced?
tables, and textbook aids. Oral and written tasks with these kinds of supports are called context-embedded. Tasks in which students have only the spoken or written words alone to work with are termed context-reduced. The two quadrants on the left side of Cummins’s chart represent tasks that are highly embedded and contextually supported.