Progress

Sometimes we don't see the progress because it is slow in coming.  I forget once in a while I forget that second language learners have a silent period.  Quite often this is not just in speaking, it is also in producing anything in the second language.  The silent period can last a very short time to a year or longer.  It depends on the person, their temperament and personality.  If the person is an introverted perfectionist the teacher is in for a long haul.

I know of one such student.  He is very quiet, doesn't ask for anything, and will just sit quietly if he doesn't understand.  Which is most of the time.  He has been informed that he needs to make an attempt and something.  The teachers have said they will even look at work done in his home language (L1) as long as the understanding is there.  He still did not produce.  

The family was contacted, L1 speaking people spoke to him and still no production.  I guess, it wasn't until his grades started seriously reflecting his lack of action, did he finally do something.  He is now attempting to do work.  He is still a perfectionist and very slow at doing the work. But he is producing.  

I'm hoping that he will gather momentum with each grade improvement.  He is fully capable and quite intelligent.  It's just taken 2 years to find out.

The point of this is to keep gently pushing in.  Don't give up or in to popular feelings that a student who 'refuses' to work is 'lazy'.  Consider all the changes, stresses, adjustments these kids have to make.  Consider the personality.  Consider the background.  And wait.  Everyone wants to do what is expected of them, good or bad.