The Crucial Role of Tier 2 Vocabulary in Bilingual Children

These terms may sound a bit theoretical, but they have a concrete impact on how bilingual or allophone children develop in school. Very often, a child may seem very comfortable in social conversations (BICS), but this does not mean they have mastered the language at an academic level (CALP). Cognitive academic language, which is more abstract and complex, takes much longer to develop—sometimes up to 10 years!

In this post, I will explain how this distinction is linked to vocabulary acquisition, particularly Tier 2 vocabulary, and why the latter is crucial for promoting academic success in bilingual children.

BICS vs CALP: Understanding the Difference

Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) generally develop during the first two years of exposure to a second language. This refers to everyday conversational language, often supported by contextual cues such as facial expressions or tone of voice.

Examples of BICS in a school context:

• Comprehension: Following general instructions in class.
• Speaking: Easily conversing with peers and teachers on common topics.
• Reading: Deciphering words without necessarily grasping their deep meaning.
• Writing: Filling out forms or copying simple answers.

In contrast, Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) takes 7 to 10 years to fully develop. This refers to academic language, which is often abstract and lacks contextual support.

Examples of CALP in a school context:

• Comprehension: Following precise academic instructions.
• Speaking: Expressing opinions, arguments, and clarifying concepts.
• Reading: Reading complex texts with good comprehension.
• Writing: Drafting a structured essay to defend a point of view.

Tier 2 Vocabulary: Why Is It So Important?

The distinction between BICS and CALP shows how fundamental Tier 2 vocabulary is for developing academic skills in bilingual children. This type of vocabulary includes more complex words, often encountered in school texts, but rarely used in daily conversations.

Why Tier 2 vocabulary is essential:

• Abstraction: It requires a more advanced capacity for abstraction and good literacy, as it is often disconnected from visual context.
• Academic weight: Textbooks and assessments rely heavily on this vocabulary, making its mastery essential for success.
• Expression of complex ideas: It allows children to formulate and understand rich and sophisticated concepts.

How to Select Tier 2 Vocabulary Words?

To maximize the learning of Tier 2 vocabulary, each word must be carefully chosen. Here are some essential criteria:

• Multiple utility: Choose words encountered in several school subjects, such as *analyze* or *interpret*.
• Frequency: Words frequent in school texts, such as *demonstrate* or *structure*, should be prioritized.
• Abstract concepts: Favor words that help develop abstract concepts, such as *clarify* or *deduce*.

📌 Concrete example:

“In the years following World War I, European nations faced great economic and political upheaval.”

Tier 2 words to extract:

• upheaval (which can be used in various academic contexts, for example, economic, political, or even scientific upheavals)
• faced (important for developing an understanding of concepts of opposition or difficulty)

Strategies for Teaching Tier 2 Vocabulary to Bilingual Children

You're probably wondering: "How can I effectively teach this vocabulary to a bilingual child?" Here are some practical strategies:

• • Use direct instruction: Introduce each word explicitly, defining it and then showing clear examples from real situations.
  • Multiply repetitions: Reuse the Tier 2 term throughout the day, in different subjects, to reinforce learning and allow the child to practice using these words in various contexts.
  • Involve reading and writing: Encourage children to use these words in their reading and writing by integrating them into practical exercises.

In Summary

The distinction between BICS and CALP is crucial for effectively supporting second language acquisition. **Tier 2 vocabulary** plays a key role in the academic success of bilingual children. If a child seems to speak a language fluently, it does not mean they have mastered it in an academic context. Tier 2 vocabulary plays a key role in developing cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP), and thus for academic success.

In my training, I go even further by providing you with tools on how to precisely select these Tier 2 words based on the age and abilities of each child, while offering you the keys to a fully optimized language intervention.

Learn more about how to enrich the vocabulary of bilingual and allophone children by consulting my training courses! Together, we can make a significant difference.

In my training for educators, I explain in more detail **how to target** this vocabulary and **specific strategies** to support allophone children in improving their language and academic skills. 🌟

👉 Come discover all this information and more in my training!