What is the role of scaffolding in language learning?

Scaffolding plays a crucial role in language learning by providing the necessary support structures that help students build their understanding incrementally. This approach allows teachers to break down complex language concepts and skills into manageable parts, enabling learners to grasp new information more effectively and progressively.

With scaffolding, students are guided through their learning process, given prompts or instructional support as they practice and apply new language skills. This can include techniques such as modeling, using visuals, or providing sentence starters, all aimed at empowering students to take risks and engage more deeply with the language.

As they develop confidence and competence, these supports can gradually be removed, fostering independence in their language use. Therefore, scaffolding not only aids comprehension but also enhances students' self-efficacy as they become more capable language users.