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!) It appears to me that Grigor is using his "silent period" to his advantage. Although he can communicate, he is choosing not to. Children, as we all are, are very manipulative. I would first ask his parents what his "currency" is, what he likes best. From there, I would initiate conversation with Grigor based on his likes. Once that connection is made and he sees and feels that you have invested your time into getting to know more about him, I feel that he will begin to open up. This may then lead to others opening up about their likes and he may end up making friends with classmates that share the same likes.