Understanding ESL Challenge: AI and scaffolding strategies for training
As an educational designer with expertise in English subject matter as a second language (ESL), I have first seen the challenges faced by non-native English speakers in corporate learning. Many training programs are designed for native English speakers. Complex vocabulary, unfamiliar cultural references, and efforts to process content in a second language can confuse, free, or uncertain about how learners apply what they have learned. Training methods that rely on long manuals, crowded presentations, or purely instructor-led sessions, cannot meet the needs of ESL learners.
ESL employees struggle to grasp content and be released, and take time to reach maximum proficiency in their roles. To address these challenges, we will focus on integration of scaffolding and chunk strategies through artificial intelligence (AI) to make learning more accessible, adaptable and effective.
Scaffolding and the zone of proximal development
The scaffolding is deeply rooted in the proximal development zone (ZPD) of Levvygotsky. A fundamental constructivist theorist, Vygotsky, emphasized that learning is a positive and social process in which knowledge is constructed through guided experience rather than being passively absorbed.
I first applied these principles as an ESL educator, built lessons based on the learners’ existing knowledge, provided support as needed, and gradually reduced guidance as skills developed. As an ESL instructor designer, I bring this approach to corporate learning. Layered support constructs material to help learners navigate complex languages, unfamiliar procedures, and industry-specific terms to keep their assignments manageable and achievable.
Integrate AI into scaffolding
Drawing on my experience as an ESL educator, I use scaffolding principles in educational designs using modern tools. AI-powered solutions allow you to provide adaptation guidance, clarify instructions, and provide examples of context. These support will help learners advance within the ZPD and adjust to their individual skills and confidence levels. AI strengthens traditional scaffolding:
It provides step-by-step guidance along with each learner’s pace and proficiency. It provides adaptive explanations to clarify language and procedural challenges in real time. Provides examples of contexts and prompts related to a particular role or workflow. Dynamically adjust the difficulty level to keep learners in ZPD. It remains available 24/7, allowing learners to practice and strengthen their skills without straining their trainers.
This approach allows ESL employees to engage with content, ask questions, effectively strengthen their skills, and support understanding, retention and autonomy.
Chunking to improve understanding
Chunking divides complex materials into smaller, digestible segments. As an ESL educator, I often presented concepts step by step so that learners could navigate both language and content. For ESL employees, chunking helps reduce cognitive overload by dividing content into clear, manageable segments, allowing you to focus and master one concept at a time. When combined with AI-enhanced scaffolding, chunking supports understanding, strengthens trust and improves long-term retention.
AI allows adaptive sequences and real-time personalization of chunk content. Learners are provided with prompts, examples and additional instructions tailored to their needs to support efficient progress and confidently apply knowledge in real workplace situations.
Additionally, AI can dynamically sequence these chunks and adjust the order of materials based on each learner’s demonstrated acquisition. Such sequences help learners concentrate on ready concepts, strengthen areas that require additional support, and promote efficient progress and long-term retention.
Constructivism and active learning
Vygotsky’s constructivist theory emphasizes that learners actively build understanding through experience and social interaction. AI does not replace this process. It strengthens it. Combining scaffolding, chunks, and AI-driven adaptive feedback creates a hands-on, contextual, learner-centric experience. ESL learners benefit most when it comes to content.
Connect with prior knowledge. It provides meaningful, real-world examples. Encourage exploration and problem solving. Provides instant personalized feedback.
This approach encourages gradual mastery while strengthening confidence in specialized tasks.
Business and Operational Benefits
Integrating AI-powered scaffolding and chunking offers measurable benefits.
Faster onboarding
Employees acquire skills more quickly and contribute more quickly and effectively. Error reduction
Clear and scaffolding guidance minimizes mistakes in complex processes. Scalability
AI enables consistent support for teams across multiple locations. Cost reduction
Reduce repeat instructor-led sessions and release trainers to focus on coaching and customized guidance. Data-driven insights
AI interactions provide actionable data that helps you continually improve your learning program.
Accessible adaptive learning for ESL employees improves team performance, communication and organizational efficiency.
Learning principles behind AI integration
Effective AI-Supported Design Leverage Established Learning Theory:
Andragogy
Support adult learners by providing self-directed, practical, and relevant learning. Behaviorism
Strengthen your skill proficiency through repetition and immediate feedback. Cognitiveism
Supports understanding and memory retention. This is valuable for learners who process new content while navigating through a second language. Constructivism
Promote active learning through interaction and problem solving.
Combining these principles allows AI to act as a responsive partner, personalizing learning, accelerate understanding and strengthening confidence.
Looking ahead
Integrating AI, scaffolding and chunks represents a new era in corporate learning. When combined with an ESL-based education strategy, it creates comprehensive, efficient and impactful training. If your organization wants to leverage AI in workplace training while supporting ESL employees, we want to connect and explore ways to create impactful and engaging learning experiences together.
