Republic of the Philippines

Province of Northern Samar

Municipality of Las Navas
COLEGIO DE LAS NAVAS
(The First Community College in the Island of Samar)

INTERACTIONISM

What is INTERACTIONISM?
 Theoretical Perspective in Sociology
 focuses in everyday interactions between individuals
 it is a Social Theory proposes that language exist for the purpose of communication.
What is Interactionist Theory?
 Jerome Bruner (1993) believed that, although children do have an innate ability to learn
language, they also require a plenty of direct contact and interaction with others.
 They have to fully engage with others and understand the contexts in which language is used.
 Interactionist Theory suggests that:
 Children learn language as they have the desire to communicate.
 Language develops depending on the social interactions.
 Child’s social environment greatly affects its language skills development.
Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
 Soviet Psychologist
 studied linguistics and philosophy at the University of Moscow
 first laid the foundations for the interactionist theory when he developed the sociocultural theory
of language development.
 suggested that children acquire their cultural values and beliefs through interacting and
collaborating with other people.
 emphasized the importance of the cultural and social context in language learning.
 Vygotsky Key Concepts
1. Cultural-specific tools
 tools specific to a certain culture
 includes technical tools such as books and media as well as psychological tools such as
language, signs and symbols.
2. Private Speech
 talking out loud to yourself
3. The Zone of Proximal Development
 a child can develop skills that require the support of a more knowledgeable instructor.
 Republic of the Philippines
Province of Northern Samar
Municipality of Las Navas
COLEGIO DE LAS NAVAS
(The First Community College in the Island of Samar)

Characteristics of Interactionist Theory

1. Scaffolding
 With regards to the interactionist theory, Bruner used the concept of “scaffolding” to
explain the role of caregivers in child language development.
 Bruner argued that care givers provide the same kind of support for children.

2. Language Acquisition Support System (LASS)

 LASS is a term used to describe the support from caregivers/parents/teachers
 they provide active support in social interactions such as:
 Adjusting language
 Collaborative learning
 Encouraging the child
 Providing examples
 Games

3. Child-Directed Speech (CDS)

 CDS refers to the way in which caregivers and adults typically speak to children.
 Examples of CDS includes:
 Simplified Language (straightforward language)
 Repetitive questioning
 Slowed speech
 Higher and more melodic speech
 More frequent and longer pauses