Core Concepts
This Russian psychologist is the main source of Sociocultural Theory.
Who is Vygotsky?
A dictionary, a phone, and a notebook can all function as these in learning.
What are mediational tools or artifacts?
This stage occurs when a learner relies on objects such as blocks, flashcards, or a dictionary to complete a task.
What is object-regulation?
Talking quietly to oneself while solving a problem in an L2 is called this.
What is private speech?
A teacher does not immediately correct a student’s error. First, she asks, “Can you read that sentence again?” Then she gives a clue, and only provides the answer when the learner still cannot self-correct.
What is ZPD-oriented feedback or graduated mediation?
SCT argues that higher mental functioning develops through this type of participation.
What is social and cultural participation?
Language, numbers, symbols, and concepts are examples of these kinds of artifacts.
What are symbolic artifacts?
This stage occurs when a teacher, peer, or parent guides the learner’s performance.
What is other-regulation?
“Let’s see,” “Okay,” and “Next” are examples of expressions learners may use for this purpose.
What is self-regulation?
The ZPD compares what learners can do independently with what they can do with this.
What is assistance, guidance, or collaboration?
“This concept refers to the distance between what learners can do alone and what they can do with support.”
“What is the Zone of Proximal Development?”
A shovel changes how a person digs a hole; this example illustrates how tools transform human activity.
What is mediation?
At the beginning of the semester, Sara needs her teacher to explain how to write an introduction. Later, she can write one after receiving only the question, “What is your main position?”
What is movement toward self-regulation?
This process explains how social interaction gradually becomes part of an individual’s mental activity.
What is internalization?
In SCT, effective feedback should be adapted to this aspect of the learner.
What is the learner’s developmental level or ZPD?
SCT sees language not only as a communication system but also as this kind of tool.
What is a mediational or psychological tool?
While writing in English, Laura uses an online dictionary to check the meaning and pronunciation of a word.
What is mediation through a tool?
During a pair activity, Andrés cannot formulate a request. His partner models: “Could you please…?” Andrés then completes the sentence.
What is other-regulation?
Before answering a question, a student quietly says, “Okay… first I need the verb…,” while organizing her response.
What is private speech?
Two learners make the same grammar error, but one needs a hint and the other needs explicit explanation. This shows that feedback must differ in this way
What is quality or degree of mediation?
This perspective argues that human development cannot be separated from cultural, historical, and social contexts.
What is Sociocultural Theory?
This is the most powerful cultural artifact humans use to connect with the world, others, and themselves.
What is language?
Moving from external support toward greater independent control is closely connected to this SCT process.
What is internalization?
A learner silently repeats a new expression heard in class while walking home. This is an example of delayed this.
What is imitation?
In ZPD-based teaching, the ultimate goal is not that the teacher completes the task, but that the learner gains greater this.
What is self-regulation or control?