What learning stage is characterized by minimal comprehension and no verbalization from the learner?

The learning stage characterized by minimal comprehension and no verbalization from the learner is the preproduction stage. During this initial phase, learners are typically exposed to the new language but may not yet understand much of what they hear or read. They are often silent, as they are focusing on absorbing the new language rather than producing it.

In this stage, students may respond nonverbally and may communicate using gestures or pointing, but they generally do not attempt to speak the new language. This lack of verbalization reflects their limited comprehension and readiness to engage with the language. As they progress through stages of language acquisition, they will begin to experiment with speaking and develop their language skills further.