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!) Sometimes students need to see the extra step and reaching out on your part. Often times the students feel as if they are not important enough to be reached or communicated with so they often do not show that they are a person who also has feelings and opinions. I would first reach out to him using a translating software so you may communicate clearly with one another. I would ask him things about himself that are not necessarily school related such as his interests and hobbies. Getting to know him as more than just your student can make him feel more comfortable outside of his home environment.