The Role of Scaffolding in a Learner-centered Tutoring System for Business English at a Distance

This paper considers some of the key theoretical frameworks and concepts in the field of learning and their application to a system for the tuition of business English. A critical overview of learner-centered technology is undertaken from the perspective of the mainstream theoretical frameworks that have been adopted since computer-assisted learning started. Attention is then given to the specific concept of educational scaffolding, a recently revitalised topic that many teachers and educational systems adopt to intervene in the learning process, assisting the learner mainly in the early stages. Finally, an application of some of these key theoretical principles to a personalized learner-centered system for the tuition of business English, called I-PETER, is presented.