Developing the Speaking Ability of EFL Learners through Scaffolding

Main Article Content

Azam Pishadast

Abstract

Introduction: The role of productive skills in social interactions is becoming more and more evident in modern communities. This study aimed to determine the effect of scaffolding on EFL learners’ speaking skills.   


Methodology: A total of 60 EFL students were recruited in the current study. The subjects were divided into two equal groups, namely experimental and control. Teaching speaking in the experimental group was centered on activities that offered the most aid to the students. To enhance their motivation, they were given tunes, a casual setting, and the opportunity to converse while taking turns and waiting. The control group attended a regular speaking class.


Results: After conducting the pre-tests and post-tests, it was found that scaffolding could significantly improve EFL learners’ foreign language speaking skills. Scaffolding was beneficial to language learning as it aided the learning process by providing learners with linguistic support in genuine circumstances, linking their prior knowledge to the texts, and promoting interaction among learners.


Conclusion: Based on the findings, EFL teachers are encouraged to employ digital games in a flipped instruction mode to enhance EFL learners’ willingness to communicate.

Article Details

How to Cite
Pishadast, A. (2022). Developing the Speaking Ability of EFL Learners through Scaffolding. Journal of Contemporary Language Research, 1(2), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.58803/jclr.v1i2.8
Section
Research Articles

References

Ahmad, N., Jumaat, N. F., Samah, N. A., Ashari, Z. M., Abdullah, A. H., & Ali, D. F. (2019). The Effect of Metacognitive Scaffolding Framework towards Students’ Performance. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 7(65), 1584-1593. https://www.ijrte.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/v7i6s5/F128104

S519.pdf

Anwer, F. (2019). Activity-based teaching, student motivation, and academic achievement. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 6(1), 154-170. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1216784.pdf

Arfaei Zarandi, S. Z., & Rahbar, B. (2014). The impact of interactive scaffolding on Iranian EFL learners speaking ability. International Journal of Language Learning and Applied Linguistics World, 7(2), 344-353.

Belland, B. R., Kim, C., & Hannafin, M. J. (2013). A framework for designing scaffolds that improve motivation and cognition. Educational psychologist, 48(4), 243-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2013.838920

Berenji, S., & Saeidi, M. (2017). Technology-mediated instruction and its effect on cognitive scaffolding, motivation and academic performance in EFL context. The Journal of English Language Pedagogy and Practice, 10(21), 72-96.

Chang, K. E., Sung, Y. T., & Chen, S. F. (2001). Learning through computer-based concept mapping with scaffolding aid. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 17(1), 21-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2001.00156.x

Chi, F. M. (2007, July 1-3). Scaffolding EFL learners’ comprehension of texts. [Congress session]. ALAA Congress 2007, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED506098.pdf

Cook, V. (2000). Linguistics and second language acquisition. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Gagné, N., & Parks, S. (2013). Cooperative learning tasks in a Grade 6 intensive ESL class: Role of scaffolding. Language Teaching Research, 17(2), 188-209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168812460818

Ge, X., & Land, S. M. (2003). Scaffolding students’ problem-solving processes in an ill-structured task using question prompts and peer interactions. Educational Technology Research & Development, 51(1), 21-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504515

Ginaya, G., Aryana, I. N. R., & Somawati, N. P. (2018). Improving students’ speaking ability through scaffolding technique. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 8(1), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.31940/soshum.v8i1.776

Hammond, J., & Gibbons, P. (2001). What is scaffolding? In J. Hammond (Ed.), Scaffolding: Teaching and learning in language and literacy education (pp. 1-14). Newtown.

Hasan, M. (2018). Impact of motivational scaffolding on the acquisition of writing skills in L2 situation. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 7(12), 39-45. http://www.ijhssi.org/ papers/vol7(12)/Ver-3/I0712033945.pdf

Jumaat, N. F., & Tasir, Z. (2016). A framework of metacognitive scaffolding in learning authoring system through Facebook. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 54(5), 619-659. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-39662-002

King, A. (1991). Effects of training in strategic questioning on children’s problem-solving performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 83(2), 307-317. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/1992-10777-001

Korur, F., & Eryilmaz, A. (2018). Interaction between students’ motivation and physics teachers’ characteristics: Multiple case study.

The Qualitative Report, 23(12), 3054-3083.

Olshtain, E., & Celce-Murcia, M. (2001). Discourse analysis and language teaching. In D. Schiffrin, D. Tannen, & H. E. Hamilton (Eds.), The handbook of discourse analysis (pp. 706-724). Blackwell.

Panadero, E., & Järvelä, S. (2015). Socially shared regulation of learning: A review. Eur. Psychol. 20, 190-203. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000226

Pearson, P. (1996). Reclaiming the center. In M. Graves, P. van den Broek, & B. Taylor (Eds.), The Wrst R: A right of all children. Teachers College Press.

Rahmah, F. (2016). The Use of Scaffolding Talk Technique to Improve the Second Grade Students Speaking Skill at MTs MadaniPaoPao Gowa [unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar.

Rebolledo-Mendez, G., du Boulay, B., & Luckin, R. (2006). Motivating the learner: An empirical evaluation. In M. Ikeda, K. D. Ashley, & T. W. Chan (Eds), Intelligent Tutoring Systems, (pp. 545-554). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/11774303_54

Rodrigo, M. M. T., Rebolledo-Mendez, G., Baker, R., du Boulay, B., Sugay, J. O., Lim, S. A. L., & Luckin, R. (2008). The effects of motivational modeling on affect in an intelligent tutoring system. In Proceedings of

International Conference on Computers in Education, 57, 64. https://learninganalytics.upenn.edu/ryanbaker/080801%20ICCE%20Ecolab.pdf

Salmon, G., Globerson, T., & Guterman, E. (1989). The computer as a zone of proximal development: Internalizing reading-related metacognitions from a reading partner. Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(4), 620-627. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1990-15748-001

Tuckman, B. W. (2007). The effect of motivational scaffolding on procrastinators’ distance learning outcomes. Computers & Education, 49(2), 414-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2005.10.002

Wood, D., Bruner, J. S. and Ross, G. 1976. The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17, 89-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381.x

Valencia-Vallejo, N., López-Vargas, O., & Sanabria-Rodríguez, L. (2019). Effect of a metacognitive scaffolding on self-efficacy, metacognition, and achievement in e-learning environments. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal, 11(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2019.11.001

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

Zhao Xiaohong, H. (1998). An investigation and analysis of teacher talk in college English reading class. Foreign Language Circle, 2(5), 117-121.