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How to Learn the Theory of Language Development

Learning the theory of language development will give you more insight into how children learn to speak. B.F. Skinner argued that children learn by imitating what they hear, and that adults reinforce this behavior by babbling at babies. The nativist perspective was developed by Chomsky. He theorized that people have a language acquisition device, which allows children to tune in to the language they are hearing and sort out the rules. The interactionists, headed by Vygotsky, on the other hand, maintain that language acquisition is biological as well as social. This theory presents the idea that children want to interact with others, therefore they learn to communicate in the language they hear. Piaget theorized that children learn to speak so they can express their ideas.

Instructions

- 1
  Visit your local library and research the materials they have on the topic of language acquisition theories. Ask the librarian for a recommendation if you aren't sure which books are best. Take a look at the professional education journals as they often have articles on the subject.
- 2
  Call or visit your local community college or university and ask if they have any classes on the theories of language development. Colleges will sometimes offer a course if there is enough interest, so ask if they will start a waiting list for language development theory if there is nothing offered.
- 3
  Research online sites. Type words and phrases such as "language learning theories," "Skinner and language learning," "Vygotsky's theory of language" and "Chomsky language" into the search engine. Bookmark the sites you want to return to.
- 4
  Start a language theory notebook. As your read about the different theories, take notes about how they are similar and where they differ. Use a mind map to illustrate the way the theories are represented.

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