Scaffolding and Curriculum Coherence in a Mission-Driven English Program: A Case Study at Handong Global University
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33541/jet.v12i2.8436Keywords:
Christian higher education, level-based English program, scaffolding, curriculum coherenceAbstract
This study examines scaffolding practices and curriculum coherence in the level-based English program at Handong Global University (HGU), a Christian institution in South Korea. It seeks to explore how the program is designed and experienced through curriculum documents, faculty perspectives, and student accounts, and to analyze how Christian mission shapes program strengths and areas for refinement. A qualitative case study design was employed, using semi-structured student interviews, faculty conversations, and document analysis. The findings show that the program, which comprises English Foundation, English Communication, English Reading and Composition, and English for Academic Purposes functions as a progressive academic pathway to develop academic discourse skills. Scaffolding practices operate within a coherent curriculum structure, while Christian values are enacted through relational pedagogy and faculty care to support intellectual growth and belonging. Areas for improvement include feedback consistency and clearer communication of level progression. The study offers insights for mission-driven institutions that seek to strengthen curriculum alignment and scaffolded English instruction for diverse learners.
References
Ahn, H. (2022). Student language mixing practices in English medium instruction courses at elite universities in South Korea. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2022.2036169
Alshehri, M., Alshahrani, A., & Alqarni, A. (2024). Correlating English language proficiency levels and perceptions of educational experience using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measurement (DREEM) in Saudi higher education. Cogent Education, 11(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2439163
Azizi, M., Nazariani, S., & Gholami, J. (2020). Exploring L3 motivational profiles of EFL teachers as successful EFL learners: A mixed methods study. Cogent Education, 7(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2020.1781429
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Buijs, G. J. (2023). Christian higher education in fractured societies: Societal challenges and agapeic wisdom. International Journal of Christianity and Education, 27(3), 241–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/20569971231202499
Carpenter, J. A., & Ntarangwi, M. (2015). Christian higher education: Global challenges, local practices. Christian Higher Education, 14(1/2), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2015.975627
Choi, D. (2015). Internationalization in the Asian Pacific: The case of Handong Global University facing new challenges in a global, digital, and unequal world. Christian Higher Education, 14(1/2), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2015.976020
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
Department of Language Education (DLE) Meta Curriculum. (2019). Internal curriculum framework document [Unpublished institutional document].
Jeong, K.-O. (2017). Preparing EFL student teachers with new technologies in the Korean context. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 30(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2017.1321554
Jiang, D., & Kalyuga, S. (2022). Learning English as a foreign language writing skills in collaborative settings: A cognitive load perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.932291
Kiger, M. E., & Varpio, L. (2020). Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No.131. Medical Teacher, 42(8), 846–854. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1755030
Kim, H. S. (2015). Moving beyond global encounters toward global reciprocity: Christian education in East Asian perspectives. Religious Education, 110(2), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2015.1013907
Kuhn, J., & Albers, C. A. (2021). Early literacy intervention for culturally and linguistically diverse students with varying English language proficiency levels. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 37(4), 361-385. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377903.2021.1953660
Lasagabaster, D. (2022). Teacher preparedness for English-medium instruction. Journal of English-Medium Instruction, 1(1), 48-64. https://doi.org/10.1075/jemi.21011.las
Lavrenteva, E., & Orland-Barak, L. (2020). Teaching culture in the EFL classroom as informed by teachers' approaches to student diversity. Research Papers in Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2020.1864763
Lee, J. (2025). World Englishes and listening instruction in Korea: Perceptions and practices of English teachers. English Teaching, 80(3), 47–77. https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.80.3.202509.47
Lei, J., & Hu, G. (2023). Research on English-medium instruction in the Asia-Pacific: Trends, foci, challenges, and strategies. In W. O. Lee et al. (Eds.), International Handbook on Education Development in the Asia-Pacific (pp. 637–659). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2327-1_23-1
Liu, G. (2023). To transform or not to transform? Understanding the digital literacies of rural lower-class EFL learners. Journal of Language, Identity and Education, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2023.2236217
Macaro, E. (2019). Exploring the role of language in English medium instruction. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 22(6), 665-683. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2019.1620678
Macaro, E., & Aizawa, I. (2024). Who owns English medium instruction? Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(10), 4037–4050. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2022.2136187
Malik, S. A. (2017). Revisiting and re-representing scaffolding: The two gradient model. Cogent Education, 4(1), 1331533. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2017.1331533
Nazerian, S., Abbasian, G.-R., & Mohseni, A. (2021). Measurement and incorporation of ZPD scenarios in developing writing accuracy in EFL classes. Cogent Education, 8(1), 1968735. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.1968735
Newman, S., & Latifi, A. (2020). Vygotsky, education, and teacher education. Journal of Education for Teaching, 46(2), 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2020.1831375
Petraki, E., & Khat, K. (2020). Challenges and constraints in the design of an ESP course in Cambodia: Implications for higher education institutions. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 40(3), 316–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2020.1798738
Smolucha, L., & Smolucha, F. (2021). Vygotsky’s theory in-play: Early childhood education. Early Child Development and Care, 191(7), 1030-1045. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2020.1843451
Tedick, D. J., & Young, A. I. (2017). Two-way immersion students’ home languages, proficiency levels, and responses to form-focused instruction. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 20(5), 505-522. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2017.1383354
Wijngaards-de Meij, L., & Merx, S. (2018). Improving curriculum alignment and achieving learning goals by making the curriculum visible. International Journal for Academic Development, 23(3), 216-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2018.1462187
Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). The role of tutoring in problem solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 89-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1976.tb00381
Yazıcılar Nalbantoğlu, Ü., Bümen, N. T., & Uslu, Ö. (2022). Teachers' curriculum adaptation patterns: A scale development study. Teacher Development, 26(1), 94–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2021.1996452
Zarei, M., Ahour, T., & Seifoori, Z. (2020). Impacts of implicit, explicit, and emergent feedback strategies on EFL learners’ motivation, attitude and perception. Cogent Education, 7(1), 1727130. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2020.1727130
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 JET (Journal of English Teaching)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyrights for articles published in JET are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal/publisher is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the author's responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.

