As an adjunct to Vygotsky this book discusses the work of Rueven Feuerstein (as well as Vygotsky). Due to Vygotsky's unfortunate early death he was unable to get into the application of his theories. Feuerstein working in parallel to many of Vygotsky's ideas (Ch. 2) was able to apply similar theories in the form of his Cognitive Map (Ch. 8) which forms a method of analysing learner progess. Like Vygotsky, Feuerstein was not focused on ESL but is well suited for ESL reseach, which is the premise of Williams & Burden.

Williams & Burden provide an overview of the social constructivist model (Ch. 2&3). From there they look at mediation theory (Ch. 4); locus of control and attribution thoery (Ch. 5); motivation (Ch. 6); learning strategies (Ch. 7); tasks in the classroom (Ch. 8); the learning environment (Ch. 9); and finally a summary (Ch. 10).

While the discussion of motivation is pretty much what you would find in most books on motivation, it the cognitive map which provides a new direction in examining "the significant factors invovled in the performance of any mental act" (p.175).

The book is very readable for those starting out in their MA studies and practical for those doing research (it was one of the main sources for my dissertation).