Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Silent Period Grigor is in my 4th grade classroom. He came to the US last year with his family from Bulgaria. He was in 4th grade at our school last year as well. He was retained in 4th grade because he did not develop his English language skills. I learned about a "silent period" that children go through when they learn a new language. My guess is that Grigor is in the silent period. But it does not make sense to me that he would be in the silent period for almost two years. He does not say anything in class. He does not socialize with his classmates either. He can read and write in simple English though. His parents tell me that he acts completely normal at home and he is able to communicate with English speaking people at home when they have guests. This is really puzzling. I have to find a way to communicate with Grigor and discover what is holding him back from communicating with people at school. I need some help. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Well we know that students are completely normal for going thru a "silent period." I think that they are something else going on especially since parents say he is acting normal at home and speaking simple English with English speaking guest In order to get the student to feel more comfortable at school I would suggest finding some common ground with him. Meaning you should see what interests him and maybe have him bring something in from home that he would like to share or something that he can keep at his desk so that he feels comfortable while he is at school. I would also suggest maybe giving him a partner in class to help with things or just have someone that sits and talks with him, whether he talks back or not. I think that once he starts to feel comfortable in the classroom setting and the feeling of trust and community have been established I think that he will open up.