Promoting Conceptual Development of the Second Conditional in the Classroom Zone of Proximal Development

Abstract

Drawing on Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (SCT) and the theory of Instructional Conversation (IC), this study explores the development of L2 learners’ understanding of the second conditional during an IC in an online teaching video made by Macmillan Learning Teaching Education. During the IC, the instructor leads students toward a conceptual understanding of the second conditional by providing appropriate mediation sensitive to the class’s zone of proximal development (ZPD). The transcripts of the IC are analyzed with regard to the amount and type(s) of instructional mediation and the development opportunities created in this type of collaborative interaction. The analysis demonstrates the conceptual and linguistic development among the students in terms of the second conditional and shows the value of IC in creating a ZPD to promote L2 conceptual and linguistic development. In addition, this study raises the awareness of the value of online teaching videos in Sociocultural Theory and teacher education.