TeacherServer.com
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 would meet with the parents and the student, or try to stand back and watch their interaction. It seems like something might have happened to where his doesn't want to talk at school. Maybe the parents can ask him why he doesn't like to talk at school. Have his parents also ask if he speaks in public, ie. the grocery store, mall, restaurants, etc. Does he speak to anyone at all in the school? What does he do during Recess, or going through the lunch line? Seems like maybe you should start to try to build his trust, maybe through writing first. He can have a communication notebook where he can "speak" to you and you can "speak" back. This would not replace you actually talking to him in class either. But since he can write in English well enough, maybe he will feel more comfortable transitioning using this notebook. Hopefully through that, you can build trust with him to where he will start to speak you. Also, be sure that the other students are sensitive to the fact that he is still in the silent period. Each child is different and goes through that silent period at their own pace.
 
     
     
  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 definitely agree with you. The parents should be involved in this situation, they can see how Grigor acts outside of school. I also like the idea of the communication notebook- it allows Grigor to get more comfortable with the teacher.
Rated On: October 13, 2014 5:10 pm
Rated By: Megan Lee