The “Wrong Love” Between the Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding: An Interview With Prof. James P. Lantolf

Abstract The zone of proximal development (ZPD) and the scaffolding theory are very different, both in terms of their theoretical origins and connotations, and can even be said to be very different. However, during the development of the two concepts, some scholars have misunderstood them, resulting in the two being mistaken for similar concepts and therefore often confused. Professor James Lantolf from Pennsylvania State University (State College, USA) was interviewed by Professor Lili Qin from Dalian University of Foreign Studies (Dalian, China) and provides an in-depth analysis of these issues. The interview begins with the theoretical roots, connotations and definitions of the ZPD and scaffolding concepts, and then unravels the story of how they have been “mistakenly loved for life”, and ultimately it is made clear that the two concepts are completely different in their practical application to language teaching and should not continue to be used interchangeably.