What is scaffolding in ESL?
A scaffold is a type of support that you use before a building is finished and doesn't need support. In ESL, it means you don't begin with full submersion into the language like you would with a native at once, especially if the child is older. You use simple english, instead of regular free writing you might use more structured activities at first, and you teach the students how to use 'context clues' and how to figure out the parts of the language they don't know based on what they do know and the situational aspects. Of course, the scaffolding is supposed to be temporary, you gradually pull it away until there is no scaffolding.
