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 sounds like Grigor never developed a connection with his fellow classmates, which could also be due to the fact that being retained a grade had all the students in the grade he was in move up while he got surrounded by a whole new set of students he doesn't know. I think it could help to have an assignment which allows for students to learn more about each other's cultures or even just do a lesson solely on Bulgarian culture. This could help give Grigor an opening to make conversation with others, as well as for others to become more interested in meeting him. If he is fine at home, it must be because he feels more comfortable to be open there, maybe having the classroom decorated with each student's culture will make the classroom a more comfortable place for him. Best of luck and hope this helps!