Bics Calps

The concept developed by Jim Cummins to make a distinction between a non complex social interactional language ability (BICS) and the more complex academic language ability. (See CALP). BICS has been described as ‘Playground English’ and represents the easier to pick up, small chunks of language the students are able to use first.  [Read more]

(See BICS). Cummins contrasted the Academic skills, both productive and receptive, with the playground language. Skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking which would be required to study academically in a course taught in English.  [Read more]

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Concerns of Learning Tesol Via The Internet Having moved to Indonesia to be with my Indonesian wife, I found it impossible to obtain work without a piece of paper qualifying me for something. This stipulation, a Government requirement, made life very difficult to settle in this foreign country. My options where very limited although my training as a music teacher inspired me to consider learning a certificate in English. I had 2 major concerns here and one was that my Educational background is extremely limited and the second was cost and time learning in Australia. Numerous phone calls where made to various institutions around Australia and none suited my needs. When I asked if I should study via the internet it was suggested that I could loose my money and the certificate would be...  [Read more]

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The Caribbean is home to a vast array of small states, ranging from the Bahamas and Barbados, playground to the great and the good, through to Castro’s Cuba - a quite different kettle of fish. In a relatively small geographic space you can take in Antigua, Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. Of the Caribbean in general you can expect excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, great big game fishing, beautiful beaches and friendly people. A large percentage of the population is devoted to Catholicism, with a minority of professing Protestantism in one form or another. In some countries such as Belize, English and Spanish are spoken; however, in most other...  [Read more]

Boasting high desert at one extreme, and low glaciers at another, this slim country is a natural wonder full of geysers, mountains, beaches and volcanoes. A breathtakingly beautiful country, and a paradise to the adventurer’s adventurer. You could take all of this away, and yet the extraordinary economic growth which the country has experienced during the 21st century would make it a place to catch the TESOL teachers eye. Five percent unemployment combined with outside investment, mainly from the US, make this a dynamic and fascinating place to work. The principal language is Spanish, though there are several native idioms in use. The country is eighty-seven percent Roman Catholic, ten-percent Protestant, with one-percent Jewish. The population is sixteen millions, and with a landmass...  [Read more]

The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador is home to a diverse array of indigenous cultures, lush rainforests, and mountainous highlands redolent of a lunar landscape. The impressive, well-preserved colonial architecture is not to be missed. Though the country has been stricken by a severe economic crises, it has now adopted the US Dollar as its national currency, and this has brought a measure of stability. The ups and downs of the currency and economy mean little to the TESOL teacher. Wages may seem low, but life is extremely cheap, and a comfortable standard of living is a very achievable goal if you don’t sell yourself short! The official language is Spanish; however, Quecha, a native dialect is still very much alive. At 109 square miles the country is small;...  [Read more]

The land that gave us Plato and Aristotle, also bequeathed us the symposium, or drinking party. The latter still being alive and well today. These days Greece is a country that pivots around its huge tourist industry, and this falls into two types: There are those who come seeking the cultural experience to be gained from visiting ancient monuments, like the Acropolis in smoggy Athens, and there are those who like to party it up on the island resorts. Perfection, as Aristotle observed, resides between extremes, and the person who seeks eudaemonia - the good life in the best of all possible worlds - perhaps does a bit of both. Given the tourist orientation of the country it is important to remember that a good deal of the services laid on to support visitors go into hibernation between...  [Read more]

Setting aside Costa Rica and Mexico, which have separate entries of their own, central America offers a kaleidoscope of different climates, experiences, and peoples. Many of the countries in the region are now politically stable and are experiencing an upsurge in tourism. Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala all have a very different feel within a relatively small geographic area. Belize is so laid back it is hard to imagine doing anything but being laid back. El Salvador’s bloody civil war is now set firmly in the past. Tourists flock to Guatemala on account of its active volcanoes and Mayan ruins. Honduras is the place to get off the beaten track and get back to nature. Nicaragua boasts natural beauty that few can rival. Finally, Panama offers some of the...  [Read more]

venezuela is a country where the superlative is commonplace. It has a large landmass, the world’s third longest river, the world’s highest waterfall, and is home to the world’s longest snake, not to mention jaguars, and armadillos. It has great mineral wealth, in the form of oil, and this has led to a thriving economy, much trade with and investment from the US, and, thus, a great demand for English. Spanish is the official language; however, more than thirty native dialects survive. The population is twenty-seven millions, in a landmass of a shade over three-hundred and fifty thousand square miles. The country is ninety-six percent Roman Catholic. Quite unlike Europe, for those wishing to teach in a state or private school, there is not the requirement for a PGCE or an...  [Read more]

Whilst Spanish is the official language, there are not less than sixty-five indigenous languages. The forty-three million people fit comfortably into a little over a million square miles. The principal religion is Roman Catholic with the remainder of the Episcopal and Jewish faith. In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is ‘American’ English that has most currency and is most sought after, not ‘English’ English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and North American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience...  [Read more]

As the wealthiest country in Latin America, Costa Rica - the ‘rich coast’ - stands out in stark contrast to many of its neighbours. It also suffers from none of the political turmoil so characteristic of the region. It’s an eco tourist’s paradise, thanks in large part to the governments desire to preserve habitats and species. It’s a fabulous place to experience the tropics, and since it’s comprised mostly of coastline there are miles of pristine beaches, and it is a heaven for those into diving, surfing an any other eco-friendly water sport. Spanish is the official language, with English, now taught in primary schools, coming a close second. The population is a shade over four millions, fitting snugly into a landmass of about twenty thousand square miles. Seventy five percent...  [Read more]

Don’t be put off by the fact that bolivia is one of the poorest Latin American nations. The Andean and Amazonian landscapes offer a breath-taking experience in themselves. In addition to which, there is an interesting class system at play composed of the upper classes - those of Spanish decent; the middle classes - those of mixed race; and the native Bolivians. The interplay between culture and topography make for a fascinating travel and work experience. Spanish is the lingua franca; however, Aymara - a composite of Spanish and native dialects is also, intriguingly, an official language. The population is a shade under nine millions, and ninety-five percent of those profession religious faith are Roman Catholic, with a smattering of Evangelical Methodism. In a continent where baseball...  [Read more]

In a continent where baseball and US television is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English. However, it is American English that has most currency and is most sought after, not British English. The distinction is noted by locals, bringing considerable advantage to Canadian and American candidates. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities and, as ever, persistence pays dividends. Those actively looking for work will find it, and be rewarded by the experience of teaching some of the most enthusiastic, fun-loving students on the planet. In addition to this, America is seen as corporate Big Brother. Its influence and presence is pervasive. Quite unlike Europe, for those wishing to teach in a state or private school, a TESOL qualification is more than...  [Read more]

mexico: What a place. You could easily spend a year in a couple of hours in this hugely diverse and vast country. Whether you prefer snow-capped volcanoes, heavily populated beaches, deserted beaches, superb diving, the hum of the big cities, or the world-class archaeological sites, you would be hard pressed to find a place offering more to the traveller. On the back of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), governing free trade between Canada, the USA, and mexico, massive investment has poured into mexico, which in turn has created huge demand for English language skills. Be choosy. For the well-qualified TESOL teacher it is a sellers’ market, and you don’t have to dive in to the first opportunity that comes your way. Indeed, TESOL teacher poaching is a popular pastime...  [Read more]

Approaching the conclusion of your TESOL certification course or being certified without having started teaching often brings up numerous questions about English language teaching positions. Our FAQs on this page delve into diverse topics: from identifying the top countries for teaching English overseas to strategies for securing a good quality job in your preferred location. Additionally, you will find valuable insights on job interviews, document preparation, and plenty of other essential employment details. What questions should I ask a TESOL employer?   During an interview it is vital that you get enough information so you can make an informed decision on whether it is the right job for you. Areas you should be clear on include your salary, number of working...  [Read more]