本研究基于最近发展区的基本理念，探寻了该理念在英语阅读教学中的运用情况。采用定性分析方法，以高校英语专业一年级和三年级共282名学生作为观察对象，将他们按三种不同的学习方式分组，通过分析他们的读书报告、笔录和视频内容，发现教师对学生的帮助是一种好的学习方式，但不是最佳的，因为教师的干预会限制学习者潜能的发挥；同伴或与高水平帮助者的互功也是一种比较好的学习方式，但是互动效果取决于同伴或高水平帮助者的水平。

Based on the concept of Zone of Potential Development （ZPD）, the present paper attempted to testify the use of ZPD in the teaching of English reading. The qualitative analysis was adopted, 282 first-year and third-year students of English major were observed and were regrouped according to three different learning styles. By analyzing their self-report, records or videos, the results show that the help of teachers to students is a good learning style, but it is not the best one, for the interference from the teacher may limit the development of students＇ potential ability; the interaction between peers or high level helpers is a good learning style as well, yet the effect of interaction depends on the level of peers or high level helpers.