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  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!)
Cristina Igoa in her book "The Inner World of the Immigrant Child, as the Silent Stage. Students go through this silent stage while they are adjusting because of all the differences that are going on. I think that Grigor is not spending enough time in the language center at school will there is a teacher dedicated to each individual student that is ELL. I would discuss these issues with the assigned teacher and get more advice. Sometimes it is a respect issue of silence and not so much a social one.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: I do not believe Grigor's issue would be resolved by spending more time in the language center. According to his parents, he is able to communicate with English speakers at home and he can read and write in simple English.
Rated On: October 15, 2014 8:55 pm
Rated By: Dana Johnson
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I like your suggestion about spending more time focusing on language instruction. However, the parents did comment that Grigor was comfortable about English speaking people at home so therefore it may not completely be a language barrier. The teacher also commented that the student has come along way in the past 2 years with basic English. I still think it is an environmental issue of feeling comfortable around others. I feel that your solution will help but may not completely resolve the issue and problems he is having opening up to other classmates and to the teacher.
Rated On: June 12, 2015 1:35 pm
Rated By: Tina Joiner