What is BICS an acronym for?

BICS stands for Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills. This concept, developed by Jim Cummins, refers to the social language proficiency that individuals use in everyday conversations. It encompasses the informal language skills that are necessary for social interaction, allowing students to engage with peers and participate in social settings.

BICS typically develops relatively quickly for language learners and is important for building relationships, obtaining information, and navigating social situations. Understanding BICS is essential for educators working with English language learners, as it emphasizes the importance of developing social communication skills in conjunction with academic language proficiency. This distinction is significant because it helps educators recognize that while students may be able to converse easily in social contexts, they may still struggle with the more complex language demands of academic settings.