Which stage of language acquisition is characterized by a silent period where the learner understands words but may not be comfortable using them?

The Silent/Receptive Stage is characterized by a period in which language learners may absorb and comprehend a significant amount of vocabulary and structures in a new language but are not yet ready to verbalize their thoughts or communicate verbally. During this stage, learners are focused on listening and understanding the new language, allowing them to build a mental framework of the language without the pressure to speak.

This silent phase is essential for many learners as it provides them with the opportunity to internalize the language, gain confidence, and develop a foundational knowledge that will support their later language production. This period can vary in length depending on the individual learner's background, exposure to the language, and personal comfort level. Eventually, as learners become more familiar with the language, they will progress to the next stages where they feel more comfortable producing language themselves.

The other stages mentioned, such as Early Production, Speech Emergence, and Advanced Language Proficiency, represent subsequent developments in language acquisition where learners begin to speak more actively and fluently.