CSpoken- Vygotsky

Question 1

Vygotsky’s language theory

Answer 1

Suggests there is a gap in knowledge (zone of proximal development) which is filled with help from more knowledgable others.

Question 2

Vygotsky’s stages of language development

Answer 2

Pre intellectual speech
Social speech
Egocentric speech
Inner speech

Question 3

Pre intellectual speech

Answer 3

basic biological language like crying and babbling

Question 4

Social speech

Answer 4

0-3 years
Children label concrete objects, develop language and thinking relationships to express thoughts and feelings.

Question 5

Egocentric speech

Answer 5

3-7 years
Bridges internal and external speech, transitioning from prelinguistic to verbal reasoning.

Question 6

Inner speech

Answer 6

7 years and over
Talking to self, using higher mental functions as a self guidance system.

Question 7

Scaffolding theory

Answer 7

Children need scaffolding, which is a helpful, structured interaction between an adult and child in order to help them achieve a specific goal.

Question 8

Strengths of Vygotsky’s language theory

Answer 8

Applied in education to structure learning

More emphasis on culture influencing learning rather than Piaget’s universal stages

Question 9

Limitations of Vygotsky’s theory

Answer 9

Reductionist- only focuses on environmental aspects of language acquisition

Eurocentric as positions European cultures at the centre of comparisons

Question 10

How to identify Vygotsky’s language theory in transcripts

Answer 10

Presence of a more knowledgable other guiding the learning process

Children using language to explain their thinking

Use of cultural tools like books or symbols to facilitate language learning