CALP stands for Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. In ELL development, CALP refers to which type of language?

• A. Basic interpersonal communication skills
• B. Academic language necessary for understanding content-area learning
• C. Everyday conversational language
• D. Technical vocabulary across disciplines

Answer: (B)

CALP refers to the language needed to understand content-area learning. It involves the academic vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and discourse patterns used in textbooks, lectures, and assessments, not just everyday conversation.

This means grasping terms like hypothesis, analyze, interpret, and evaluate, and being able to follow explanations, reason through steps, and explain ideas within a subject. In math, science, social studies, and other disciplines, understanding CALP lets a student access the material itself rather than just talking about familiar topics or using simple everyday language.

So, CALP is about the formal, academic language that enables understanding and working with content across different subjects, rather than casual, interpersonal communication.