Enhancing English language learning in Cambodia: Exploring scaffolding strategies in mixed-ability classes

Authors

  • Vannai Chea National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear, Kampong Cham Campus, Cambodia
  • Sok Kuon Vanda Institute of Accounting, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69496/cjess.v1i1.18

Keywords:

Cambodia, Mixed-ability classes, Pros and cons, Scaffolding, ZPD

Abstract

Teaching mixed-ability English language classes has presented many challenges for teachers to deal with. That said, scaffolding strategies have been recognized for their potential to assist teachers in overcoming such challenges. The current study thus attempts to review the various challenges the teachers encountered in teaching mixed-ability English classes and scaffolding strategies that teachers could adopt to deal with those challenges. The study also aims to review the challenges teachers face when adopting scaffolding strategies. The study clarifies the importance of raising teachers' awareness and readiness to work in mixed-ability English language class settings to reduce the number of students' low learning achievements in lower grade levels and, consequently, to pioneer for higher grade levels. Moreover, teachers could use the results to equip them with the necessary skills to tackle challenges in such classes. The study also contributes to further research on the effects of scaffolding strategies on student performance in the context of Cambodia. Furthermore, the study serves as a useful reference for future research and motivates academics to carry out additional research in the field, particularly among Cambodians, to determine the effects of scaffolding strategies on boosting students' performances and discover a deterrent solution to mixed-level classes. Finally, researchers may conduct future studies using different designs to explore various aspects of scaffolding activities for learning and teaching in Cambodia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Vannai Chea, National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear, Kampong Cham Campus, Cambodia

Mr. Vannai Chea is a pre-service mentor who is studying for a master of education, majoring in mentoring, at the New Generation Pedagogical Research Center (NGPRC) of the National Institute of Education (NIE). Prior to this, he was a secondary school teacher of English and Khmer. In 2022, he graduated from Western University with a bachelor's degree in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).

Sok Kuon, Vanda Institute of Accounting, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Mr. Sok Kuon has the position of university lecturer. He possesses extensive expertise and has delivered lectures to students at several universities and institutes in both Phnom Penh and other regions. In 2014, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Angkor Khemara University (AKU), Takeo campus, Cambodia. In 2017, he obtained his Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Human Resource University (HRU), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Presently, he is instructing at Vanda Institute, AGA Institute, the Institute of New Khmer, the Cambodian University for Specialties, and other provincial universities.

References

Al-Shammakhi, F., & Al-Humaidi, S. (2015). Challenges facing EFL teachers in mixed ability classes and strategies used to overcome them. World Journal of English Language, 5(3),33-45. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v5n3p33

Al-Subaiei, M. S. (2017). Challenges in mixed ability classes and strategies utilized by ELI teachers to cope with them. English Language Teaching, 10(6), 182-189. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v10n6p182

Ban, B., Pang, S., & Em, S. (2023). Debate: One of the key factors to improving students’ English language speaking skills. Journal of General Education and Humanities, 2(2), 107-120. https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v2i2.69

Bandura, A. (2018). Toward a psychology of human agency: Pathways and reflections. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 130-136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617699280

Beed, P. L., Hawkins, E. M., & Roller, C. M. (1991). Moving learners toward independence: The power of scaffolded instruction. The Reading Teacher, 44(9), 648-655. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20200767

Bekiryazıcı, M. (2015). Teaching mixed-level classes with a Vygotskian perspective. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 186, 913-917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.163

Belland, B. R. (2017). Instructional scaffolding in STEM education. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02565-0

Bliss, J., Askew, M., & Macrae, S. (1996). Effective teaching and learning: Scaffolding revisited. Oxford Review of Education, 22(1), 37-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305498960220103

Bon, S. (2022). Developing Cambodian secondary school students' intercultural competence: Strategies and challenges. Issues in Educational Research, 32(3), 887-905. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.654142054397945

Bon, S., Sorn, T., Mon, M., Muon, M., & Mon, M. (2022). Classroom activities and student motivation in learning an English subject: A case study at a public secondary school in Cambodia. ELE Reviews: English Language Education Reviews, 2(2), 96-113. https://doi.org/10.22515/elereviews.v2i2.5562

Chin, C. (2006). Classroom interaction in science: Teacher questioning and feedback to students’ responses. International Journal of Science Education, 28(11), 1315-1346. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690600621100

Cook, G. (2010). Translation in language teaching: An argument for reassessment. Oxford University Press. http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780194424752.do?keyword=9780194424752&sortby=bestMatches

Daar, G. (2020). Problems of English language learning in context. Pkbm Sambi Poleng.

Dewi, M. S. N., Sakina, R., Kulsum, E. M., Uyun, A. S., & Arifin, R. A. (2023). Scaffolding in teaching writing news item text, its benefits and challenges. English Review: Journal of English Education, 11(1), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.25134/erjee.v11i1.6563

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Motivational strategies in the language classroom. Cambridge University Press. https://www.itals.it/sites/default/files/pdf-bollettino/Recensione_Dornyei_Bollettino_ITALS_0.pdf

Ellis, R. (2021). Understanding second language acquisition. Oxford University Press. file:///C:/Users/AsUS/Downloads/pkpadmin,+06-02-95-101%20(1).pdf

Em, S. (2022). Challenges of English language learning and teaching in Cambodia: A case study of Kith Meng Brasat High School. Cambodian Journal of Educational Research, 2(1), 62-80. https://doi.org/10.62037/cjer.2022.02.01.04

Em, S. (2023). Encouraging English language study in Cambodian higher education institutions: A case study of Takeo province (2012-2022) [Doctoral dissertation, Khemarak University]. English Academic Essay (EAE). https://englishacademicessay.org/2023/12/27/encouraging-english-language-study-in-cambodian-higher-education-institutions-a-case-study-of-takeo-province-2012-2022/

Em, S., & Khampirat, B. (2024). Exploring the motivation for English reading among Cambodian university students: A cross-sectional study. SSRN. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4816648

Em, S., & Mao, Y. (2022). English for Cambodian high school exams. English Academic Essay (EAE). https://englishacademicessay.org/2022/08/15/english-for-cambodian-high-school-exams/

Em, S., & Nun, N. (2022). Cambodian grade-12 students’ perceptions of public English textbook and exam papers. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 5(4), 909-917. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v5i4.p909-917

Em, S., Yun, M., Dorn, B., Sao, V., & Sin, P. (2022). Cambodian students’ motivation in learning the English language: A small-scale survey at a private high school in Phnom Penh. Journal of Research on English and Language Learning (J-REaLL), 3(2), 104-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.33474/j-reall.v3i2.16764

Gibbons, P. (2015). Scaffolding language, scaffolding learning: teaching English language learners in the mainstream classroom. Heinemann. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED463654

Gonulal, T., & Loewen, S. (2018). Scaffolding technique. In J. I. Liontas (Eds.), The TESOL encyclopedia of English language teaching (pp. 1–5). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0180

Hallam, S., & Ireson, J. (2005). Secondary school teachers’ pedagogic practices when teaching mixed and structured ability classes. Research Papers in Education, 20(1), 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267152052000341318

Hammond, J., & Gibbons, P. (2005). Putting scaffolding to work: The contribution of scaffolding in articulating ESL education. Prospect, 20(1), 6-30. http://hdl.handle.net/10453/6610

Hasa, D. (2023). Effective management of mixed-level and large classes. International Journal of Communication and Art, 4(8), 128-141. https://iletisimvesanat.com/files/iletisimvesanat/7c917795-ea90-4807-8c6b-912a2c413f83.pdf

Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of educational research, 77(1), 81-112. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487

Heng, D., Pang, S., & Em, S. (2023). Challenges of teaching mixed-ability EFL classes: A study of two private schools. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 6(3), 591-604. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v6i3.p591-604

Heydarnejad, T., Tagavipour, F., Patra, I., & Farid Khafaga, A. (2022). The impacts of performance-based assessment on reading comprehension achievement, academic motivation, foreign language anxiety, and students’ self-efficacy. Language Testing in Asia, 12(1), 1-21. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40468-022-00202-4

Hogan, K., & Pressley, M. (Eds.). (1997). Scaffolding student learning: Instructional approaches and issues. Brookline Books. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-08246-000?ref=brainscape.com

Houn, T., & Em, S. (2022). Common factors affecting grade-12 students’ speaking fluency: A survey of Cambodian high school students. Jurnal As-Salam, 6(1), 11-24. https://doi.org/10.37249/assalam.v6i1.360

Igawa, K. (2008). English language and its education in Cambodia, a country in transition. Shitennoji University Bulletin, 46(1), 343-369. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1520290885417145856

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2018). Cooperative learning: The foundation for active learning. Instituto Politécnico de Tomar,

Portugal. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81086

Kayi-Aydar, H. (2013). Scaffolding language learning in an academic ESL classroom. ELT Journal, 67(3), 324–335. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/cct016

Keo, P., Yoeurn, S., Prom, M., Chin, P., & Em, S. (2022). Cambodian Buddhist monk students’ motivation in learning English: The case of Hun Neng Buddhist primary school, Kampong Cham Town. Jurnal As-Salam, 6(2), 105-121. https://doi.org/10.37249/assalam.v6i2.405

Kim, Y., & Kim, J. (2005). Teaching Korean university writing class. Asian EFL, 7(2), 1-15. https://asian-efl-journal.com/June_05_yk-jk.pdf

Klingner, J. K., & Vaughn, S. (2000). The helping behaviors of fifth graders while using collaborative strategic reading during ESL content classes. TESOL Quarterly, 34(1), 69-98. https://doi.org/10.2307/3588097

Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon Press. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130282269053102208

Lajoie, S. P. (2005). Extending the scaffolding metaphor. Instructional Science, 33(5-6), 541-557. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11251-005-1279-2

Le, V. C., & Nguyen, T. T. M. (2010). Minds working together: Scaffolding academic writing in a mixed-ability EFL class [Unpublished manuscript].

Long, M. H. (1983). Native speaker/non-native speaker conversation in the second language classroom. In M. Clarke & J. Handscombe (Eds.), On TESOL '82: Pacific perspectives on language learning and teaching (pp. 207-225). TESOL. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/7d4a1b5c-927c-43ec-91f0-bb2c51210f21

Mercer, N., & Howe, C. (2012). Explaining the dialogic processes of teaching and learning: The value and potential of sociocultural theory. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 1(1), 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2012.03.001

Merryfield, M. M. (2008). Scaffolding social studies for global awareness. Social Education, 72(7), 363-366. https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/articles/se_7207363.pdf

Neau, V. (2003). The teaching of foreign languages in Cambodia: A historical perspective. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 16(3), 253–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/07908310308666673

Pea, R. D. (2004). The social and technological dimensions of scaffolding and related theoretical concepts for learning, education, and human activity. In K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences (pp. 423-451). Cambridge University Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203764411-6/social-technological-dimensions-scaffolding-related-theoretical-concepts-learning-education-human-activity-roy-pea

Phann, S., Em, S., & Tep, S. (2023). Cambodian Buddhist monks’ motivation in learning English: Grade level analysis. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 6(1), 164-175. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v6i1.p164-175

Puntambekar, S., & Hübscher, R. (2005). Tools for scaffolding students in a complex learning environment: What have we gained and what have we Missed? Educational Psychologist, 40(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep4001_1

Rojas-Drummond, S., & Mercer, N. (2003). Scaffolding the development of effective collaboration and learning. International Journal of Educational Research, 39(1-2), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-0355(03)00075-2

Sor, S., Chorn, S., Dean, S., & Em, S. (2022). Cambodian high school students’ motivation toward learning English. PROJECT (Professional Journal of English Education), 5(6), 1258-1269. https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v5i6.p1258-1269

Tomlinson, B. (2012). Materials development for language learning and teaching. Language Teaching, 45(2), 143-179. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444811000528

Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED386301

van de Pol, J., Volman, M., & Beishuizen, J. (2010). Scaffolding in teacher-student interaction: A decade of research. Educational Psychology Review, 22(3), 271-296. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-010-9127-6

Van Der Stuyf, R. R. (2002). Scaffolding as a teaching strategy. Adolescent Learning and Development, 52(3), 5-18. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1571980075808918528

van Merriënboer, J. J., & Kirschner, P. A. (2017). Ten steps to complex learning: A systematic approach to four-component instructional design. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315113210

Verenikina, I. (2008). Scaffolding and learning: Its role in nurturing new learners. University of Wollongong, Australia. https://ro.uow.edu.au/edupapers/43/

Walqui, A., & van Lier, L. (2010). Scaffolding the academic success of adolescent English language learners: A pedagogy of promise. WestEd. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED585517

Downloads

Published

2024-06-19

How to Cite

Chea, V., & Kuon, S. (2024). Enhancing English language learning in Cambodia: Exploring scaffolding strategies in mixed-ability classes. Cambodian Journal of Educational and Social Sciences (CJESS), 1(1), Pages: 89–103. https://doi.org/10.69496/cjess.v1i1.18