THE SILENT WAY

A teacher’s silence frees the teacher to closely observe the students’ behavior.

Founder

• Caleb Gattegno
• Egyptian–American
• Mathematician and educator (not a psychiatrist)

Core Principles

• Learning is prioritized over teaching
• Students learn by discovering and problem-solving
• Strong emphasis on learner autonomy
• Teacher autonomy is also important (teacher chooses when to be silent)
• Students should not be spoon-fed

Role of the Teacher

• Acts as a silent observer
• Does not give direct explanations
• Uses gestures, pointing, and tools to guide learning
• Provides constructive feedback without overt correction