Which term refers to the language a person already knows before learning a second language?

Which term refers to the language a person already knows before learning a second language?

• A. L1
• B. Bics
• C. Calp
• D. Language 2

Answer: (A)

The language a person already knows before learning a second language is called L1. L1 stands for the first language, often the native language learned in childhood, and it serves as the baseline from which learners acquire a second language (L2). In bilingual contexts, you’ll also see BICS and CALP—BICS refers to everyday conversational skills, while CALP refers to academic language proficiency—terms that describe different types of language ability, not the initial language. Language 2 is simply the second language being learned, not the preexisting one. So L1 is the correct term for the language known before starting to learn another.

The language a person already knows before learning a second language is called L1. L1 stands for the first language, often the native language learned in childhood, and it serves as the baseline from which learners acquire a second language (L2). In bilingual contexts, you’ll also see BICS and CALP—BICS refers to everyday conversational skills, while CALP refers to academic language proficiency—terms that describe different types of language ability, not the initial language. Language 2 is simply the second language being learned, not the preexisting one. So L1 is the correct term for the language known before starting to learn another.