Profiles of Three Preservice ESOL Teachers' Development of Instructional Scaffolding

This study explored English as a second language (ESOL) preservice teachers’ conceptions of and abilities to provide scaffolded instruction. In-depth study of three interns indicated that each was unique with respect to their views of scaffolding and in the degree to which their implementation of scaffolded instruction changed over the course of the year. Participants differed in the focus of scaffolding and in their attempts to scaffold within lesson frameworks, across sequential lessons, and through responsive instruction. Though some preservice teachers can develop complex conceptions of the process, scaffolding is closely linked to interns’ understanding of language and literacy development.