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 the most important thing to do in the situation is to help Grigor feel like he can relate to someone, especially the teacher. He needs someone that he can trust because he is more likely to open up when he trusts the person. When he is at home he has his parents around who I'm sure he trusts quite a bit. Even though they may have guests over he still has his safe place, being his parents. He needs to a safe place at school as well. I would try and figure out what his interests are and make a concious effort to talk to him on a personal level every day, even if he doesn't answer. He needs to know you care and are trying to get to know him.