In the early grades, it’s common for students—especially English Language Learners (ELLs)—to understand far more than they can express. But just because a student isn’t speaking yet doesn’t mean they aren’t learning. In fact, many children experience what’s called a “silent period” as they develop receptive language skills and build confidence.
So how can teachers accurately assess what these learners do know? Here are five simple, powerful strategies to help you recognize and respond to student understanding—even before they’re ready to verbalize it.
1. Watch for Intentional Movement
When students respond with gestures, body language, or TPR (Total Physical Response) motions, they’re showing you what they understand. Whether they point to an object, follow a classroom routine, or act out a command, these nonverbal cues are rich sources of data.
💡 Tip: Use consistent, observable cues—like thumbs up/down, nodding, or pointing—to give students a safe way to participate and show comprehension.
2. Use Visual Choice Boards or Picture Cards
Provide students with visuals they can point to in response to questions or prompts. For example, after reading a story, ask “Who was the main character?” and offer three pictures. This supports comprehension and builds vocabulary while removing the pressure to speak.
💡 Try This: Incorporate visuals into your small group activities, partner work, or even assessments to reduce language barriers.
3. Observe During Routines and Transitions
Sometimes, the best “assessment” moments happen outside of direct instruction. Can students follow your directions to clean up, line up, or gather materials? Are they anticipating what comes next in the day? These signs show they’re understanding classroom language and structure—even if they’re not speaking yet.
💡 Quick Check: Try giving a new direction (e.g., “Put your hands on your head”) during a routine to see who responds nonverbally—this can offer insight into listening comprehension
4. Encourage Partner or Small Group Participation
Students are often more comfortable engaging with peers. In pairs or small groups, they may show understanding through actions, repeated words, or helping a friend. Circle time games, songs with motions, or matching activities can create low-stakes opportunities for comprehension to shine through.
💡 Pro Tip: Assign partners intentionally and rotate often to give quieter students chances to lead, imitate, or engage with different learning styles.
5. Use One-on-One Digital Assessments Designed for Early Learners
With tools like ESGI, you can assess foundational skills individually and quickly—without requiring students to speak full responses. ESGI offers picture-based and yes/no assessments that make it easy to gauge comprehension in a developmentally appropriate way.
You’ll be able to:
- Track student growth with just a few clicks
- Identify which students are understanding content—even silently
- Use real-time data to plan next steps or small groups
- Share progress with families in home languages
✅ Bonus: Because ESGI is customizable, you can adapt assessments to include TPR or visual prompts to match your teaching style.
Every Response Matters
When we look beyond spoken language, we open the door to understanding what students really know. These early signs of comprehension are not only meaningful—they’re essential for building the confidence students need to become active participants in the classroom.
Whether your learners are in their silent period or just building up to verbal language, keep celebrating those small but mighty responses. They’re telling you more than you think.
Want to learn more? Watch our on-demand Webinar with Whitney Ramirez on engaging young ELLs with TPR!
About ESGI
ESGI simplifies foundational skill tracking, individualizes instruction, and streamlines data reporting with customizable tools and real-time insights to help educators support every student’s success.
Ready to give ESGI a try? Get a free 60-day trial and $75 off your first year of ESGI with promo code CRAYONS.
