Peer Scaffolding among Primary ESL Learners’ Writing Task: Learners’ Behaviors and Triggering Factors

Abstract

Human interaction and support are key to students’ learning. In English as a second language (ESL) settings, peer scaffolding reinforces the traditional teacher–learner interaction. A lack of peer interaction among students, which is also a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in young learners becoming overly reliant on teachers. This concern is a factor in hindering learners’ writing development. Inspired by the sociocultural perspective, this study employed a qualitative research design to explore the types of scaffolding behaviors among young learners. The analysis is based on the Taxonomy of Language Functions and what triggers these behaviors among primary ESL learners during classroom writing tasks. Data from 10 recordings of audiovisual materials and interviews were collected from 30 Year 6 primary school students and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The data analysis showed that scaffolding behaviors occurred continuously throughout each writing stage. The findings revealed that the preferred scaffolding behavior among learners was questioning. Eliciting questions was the most frequent type of inquiry that was applied during peer scaffolding. Results highlight the triggering factors that influenced scaffolding behaviors, which were learners’ level of competency, personalities, and accessibility to L1. This approach can be used as an alternate strategy for teaching writing because of its substantial impact on the writing ability of ESL students. The findings would provide a clear direction for ESL practitioners and learners to acknowledge the significance of learners’ behaviors and factors during peer scaffolding in assisting their development in writing attainment.