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 think it is important to give him time to adjust. I realize that it has already been two years but we all work at our rate. I would also suggest that the teacher have Grigor see the counselor because there may be more issues related to his silence than the language barrier. The teacher should not rush him or make him feel forced into being social. This may have an opposite effect and cause him to close himself off more. I am really concerned, however that there may be more issues to his silence. Two years seems very long for me even though all children learn and develop at their own rate. It may be beneficial to get outside help.                 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 No Comments: i would talk to him first before just giving him to a counselor. Rated On: October 20, 2014 1:31 am Rated By: Christie Gerlach                 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 Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: You are right! People adjust to new situations and circumstances differently. I think that Grigor's silence for two years is a sign of a bigger problem. I think it is a great idea to have him see the counselor. That would be a great way to rule out personality or social issues. I think at this point, the teacher should definitely be seeking professional help. Rated On: June 15, 2015 3:50 pm Rated By: uqeXun                 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 Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Using the guidance counselor is a great solution as well, as the source of the problem may be something more. I would use this in my classroom. Rated On: February 27, 2017 3:13 pm Rated By: yzujyV                 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 really agree with this solution. While the student should see a counselor, I think that allowing a student to deliberately stay away from social contact could harm him. I would not do this. Rated On: February 25, 2018 3:13 am Rated By: Samantha Rey                 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 Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think that involving the school counselor is a great idea, because yes, two years of silence can be attributed to more than just discomfort with language barriers. Hopefully, this is not the case though. Rated On: October 31, 2021 9:38 pm Rated By: dedyqa