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!) I would discuss what is going on with Grigor with the school counselor and see if he/she can help come up with some ways to maybe get him to talk. I would also discuss with his parents how important it is for him to communicate at school and see if they can talk with him at home. As a teacher I would give him all the attention I could to make him feel like you care so maybe he will begin to talk. I have read in my cultural class that the "silent period" is common in ELL students but two years with no communication is getting to be concerning. Maybe between the counselor and help of his parents he will begin to communicate.