The Impact of Scaffolded Interaction in Group-Oriented Classrooms on (Un)Ready EFL Learners’ Grammatical Development: Toward a ZPD-Informed Learnability Hypothesis

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Shiraz University

10.22034/elt.2026.70525.2838

Abstract

Processability Theory (PT) and Teachability Hypothesis (TH) hold that languages develop sequentially and instruction is effective only when it targets X+1 corollary. In contrast, research suggests that collaborative interaction fosters L2 development. However, the extent to which scaffolded collaborative interaction helps (un)ready learners bypass the learning stages remains unknown. To examine this, we selected an experimental group, an unpretested control group, and a pretested control group. We developed a construct-valid test of readiness whose results showed that six learners in the experimental condition, six learners in the unpretested control group, and five learners in the pretested control group were ready for instruction. Dividing the experimental and unpretested control groups into several smaller groups, we selected ready learners as group heads responsible for scaffolding their peers. The pretested control group received deductive instruction. The findings showed that zone of proximal development (ZPD)-sensitive interactive practice accelerated the learning gains of both (un)ready learners and helped them acquire both X+1 and X+2 structures. However, deductive instruction was only effective for ready learners. These findings challenge TH while supporting a ZPD-Informed Learnability Hypothesis. We discuss the implications and highlight areas ripe for future studies.

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Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 April 2026

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