Con Confianza: The Emergence of the Zone of Proximal Development in a University ESL Course

Main Article Content

Sandra L. Soto-Santiago
Rosita L. Rivera
Catherine M. Mazak

Abstract

This article illustrates how a classroom community characterized by confianza—a feeling of mutual understanding, respect, and emotional closeness—facilitated the English language learning of Spanish-speaking students in a content-based English as a second language class at a Puerto Rican public university. To understand the processes by which this language learning took place qualitative data were collected through classroom observations and focus groups. The authors examined the language choices students made in their interactions with professors, teaching assistants, and peers as they engaged in classroom conversations using both Spanish and English as learning tools. The central claim of the article is that confianza created the conditions through which learners were able to activate their zone of proximal development.

Article Details

How to Cite
Soto-Santiago, S. L., Rivera, R. L., & Mazak, C. M. (2015). Con Confianza: The Emergence of the Zone of Proximal Development in a University ESL Course. HOW, 22(1), 10–25. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.22.1.132
Section
Research Reports
Author Biographies

Sandra L. Soto-Santiago, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Sandra L. Soto-Santiago is an assistant professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus and an associated researcher in CeIBA (Centro para la investigación del bilingüismo y aprendizaje [Center for research on bilingualism and learning]). Her current projects focus on transnationalism and education, translanguaging, and youth.

Rosita L. Rivera, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Rosita L. Rivera is co-director of CeIBA (Centro para la investigación del bilingüismo y aprendizaje [Center for research on bilingualism and learning]) and associate professor in the English Department at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. Her teaching and research interests are in the fields of applied linguistics, language use and needs of ESL learners.

Catherine M. Mazak, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Catherine M. Mazak is co-director of CeIBA (Centro para la investigación del bilingüismo y aprendizaje [Center for research on bilingualism and learning]) and associate professor of English at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. She studies bilingualism and translanguaging practices in higher education using ethnographic research methods.

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