What are the key theories of language acquisition?

The key theories of language acquisition include behaviourism, nativism, and interactionism.

Behaviourism is a theory that suggests language is acquired through imitation and reinforcement. According to this theory, children learn language by imitating the speech of those around them and receiving positive reinforcement when they use correct language. However, behaviourism fails to explain how children can create new sentences that they have never heard before.

Nativism is a theory that suggests language is innate and that humans are born with a language acquisition device (LAD) in their brain. This device allows children to learn language quickly and easily. The most famous proponent of this theory was Noam Chomsky, who argued that all human languages share a universal grammar.

Interactionism is a theory that suggests language is acquired through a combination of innate abilities and social interaction. According to this theory, children have an innate ability to learn language, but they also need to interact with others to fully develop their language skills. Interactionism also emphasises the role of social and cultural factors in language acquisition.

In conclusion, the key theories of language acquisition are behaviourism, nativism, and interactionism. Each theory offers a different perspective on how language is acquired, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these theories can help us better understand how children learn language and how we can support language development.