Entry 3

In second language acquisition, Vygotsky's sociocultural theories have been used widely in
second language learning research. The theories are knows as a cognitive process to acquire linguistic
knowledge. According to Vygotsky (1978), childs cultural development will show up on two planes
which is social plane and psychological plane. First it will come out as and interpsychological category,
which is between people, and second it will come out as intrapsychological category which is within the
child. There are four Vygotskian Socio-Cultural Theory key principles which are Mediation, Zone of
proximal development (ZPD), Scaffolding and Self-regulation.
Based on Vygotsky in Kao (2010), mediation is showed as the use of tools to solve a problem or
reach a goal. In second language learning context, language is the most crucial tools. Through mediation,
different tools can mediate the children language learning and improve their abilities. The process of
learning is mediated by the use of artefacts which that can be divided into physical and symbolic. For
example, L2 learner use physical artefact, which is dictionary as mediator to learn the target language.
Next concept is zone of proximal development (ZPD). ZPD is the ability for a learner to learn without
guidance from adult and interaction with peers as an effective way of developing. Vygotsky emphasize in
Kao (2010) that Learning and development processes operate independently but are mutually
influential. It means that the processes of learning and development are closely associated but occur in a
different sequence. For example, L2 learner that participate in the learning among peers will internalize
and produce development.
According to Lantoff and Thorne (2006) in Kao (2010), scaffolding is a type of adult assistance to
help a child or a learner to achieve goal, solve problems and carry out task which is out of the child or
learner capabilities. For example, a teacher helps a student to complete or answer a question which the
student unable to answer. Last concept is self-regulation that involves process of learner to increase
capacity in order to create action plans to control the attitude in a new situation. According to Vygotsky
(1981) in Kao (2010), concept of two-planes that cause changes in ZPD can explain the concept of selfregulation. The first plane is social or inter- mental that explain with the help of tools, learners can
improve themselves. Next is psychological or intra-mental plane where learners independently use new
skills, language and ideas. Transition from other- regulation (inter-mental) activity to self-regulation
activity (intra-mental) in ZPD will result to learner ability to control over learning behaviors and the
environment. (Lantoff&Appel, 1994 in Kao, 2010)

As a future teacher, I would suggest this one activity called as Headmaster Game as my
classroom activity that apply the concept of Mediation and Scaffolding. Each students will take out a
piece of paper and their dictionary. The dictionary will act as the physical artefacts which is the mediator
to help the students in vocabularies. Then teacher will then explain how the game works as follow;
You are the new headmaster of this school. You have two years to make this the perfect school. You can
have as much money as you want, but you must spend it all in 2 years.
1.
2.
3.
4.

What changes would you make immediately?

What changes must be gradual?
What would you do to make it a better school?
What changes would you make?

The students would be given 30 minutes to work alone, and write their ideas on the paper. The
mediated action will take place when students use the dictionary to translate words into English or look
up for words definition. Then each students will read out aloud their answers and discuss together.
Teacher can apply the Scaffolding concept by helping the students in listing areas of discussion which
are teachers, buildings, classrooms, activities, dorms, lunchrooms, curriculum, sports, playground, library,
bathrooms, schedules, music, art, and others on the whiteboard. Furthermore, before the game start,
teacher also can use slideshows to give visual aids to student about school. Other than that, teacher can
help to shape students mind by having small discussion about the changes should be done at school to
give them insight and trigger their thinking before the game start. Teacher can give hints and suggestions
on what should be done to make a perfect school.

References

Kao Pei Lun. (2010). Examining Second Language Learning: Taking a Sociocultural Stance. 7,
113-126