CALP focuses on what aspect of language proficiency?

Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) refers specifically to the language skills that are necessary for academic success. This concept was developed by Jim Cummins to differentiate between two types of language proficiency gained by learners: basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS), which pertain to everyday conversation, and CALP, which involves a deeper understanding of language used in academic settings.

When students develop CALP, they acquire the capability to understand and manipulate complex academic language structures, engage with abstract concepts, and participate in higher-order thinking tasks such as analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. This ability is especially crucial for English language learners as they advance in their studies and engage with subject-specific vocabulary and language structures that are essential in a classroom context. Understanding CALP helps educators support students in acquiring the necessary language skills to thrive in academic environments.