Explain the difference between a language difference and a language disability

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer:
A language disability is related to a learner's functional deficit that interferes with the learner's ability to learn and use one or more language skills (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing), regardless of the language being used.

A language difference results when the language used by an individual differs from the one in use by others in a particular environment. Although the person has intact language capabilities in his/her primary language, the ability to function in a second language is impaired unless instruction or translation can resolve the problem. Learners with language differences include speakers of other languages (such as Spanish or Korean), those who use another language system (such as sign language or Braille) or speakers who use a dialect of the language in general use. Cummins points out that second language learners are often able to communicate socially (BICS) in the second language, while unable to use CALP language skills for learning academic content or demonstrating knowledge and skills.