Zone of Proximal Development

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is a concept introduced by psychologist Lev Vygotsky, referring to the range of tasks that a learner can perform with the guidance and support of a more knowledgeable individual but cannot yet perform independently. In language education, understanding the ZPD helps teachers provide appropriate scaffolding to support learners' development. Activities within the ZPD challenge students just beyond their current abilities, promoting growth and mastery. Effective scaffolding techniques include modeling, prompting, questioning, and providing feedback.