A Brief Analysis of Sociocultural Theory in Second language Acquisition

【Abstract】Due to the continuous enhancement of Chinas， economic and cultural strength as well as the deepening of reform and opening up， international exchanges have become increasingly close. Therefore， the number of second language learners has increased with the development of the times. However， due to various reasons， the efficiency and quality of second language learners are worrying .about these things.In this regard， the author will study it from two aspects： the point of integration between second language acquisition and social and cultural theory， and the specific application of social and cultural theory in second language acquisition.

【Key words】Sociocultural Theory; Second Language Acquisition

【摘要】由于我國经济、文化等各方面实力的不断增强以及改革开放的不断深化，国际交流日益密切，因此，二语习得者也随着时代的发展不断增多。然而，由于各种原因，二语习得者的学习效率和质量令人担忧。对此，笔者将从二语习得与社会文化理论的契合点、社会文化理论在二语习得中的具体运用两个方面来展开研究。

【关键词】社会文化理论;二语习得

【作者简介】马娟，山西师范大学。

1. Introduction

Language is a unique， non-instinctive communicative method of human beings and a symbolic system to express the subjective will， such as thought feelings .Therefore， language and human social ability are inseparable. Second language acquisition （SLA） is a language learning mechanism that develops on the basis of the integration of various disciplines and thus forms an independent discipline. The theory of social culture was first put forward by the psychologist Vygotsky of the Soviet union， and its theoretical system mainly consists of three parts， namely， the theory of cultural and historical development， the theory of the Zone of Proximal Development and the theory of Internalization. In essence， Vygotskys theory of social culture is also based on human sociality. Therefore， Vygotskys socio-cultural theory is closely related to language learning.

2. Second Language Acquisition and Sociocultural Theory

Second language acquisition is a high-level psychological function， which is mediated by language. Language is a kind of symbol and the most common tool for communication between people. In the process of second language acquisition， learners can acquire new knowledge through learning a new language and building a new outlook towards life and value. Besides， learners can also master the skills of a letter to adapt to the new living environment so that they can integrate it into the new interpersonal relationship， promote social and cultural exchanges and interactions， so as to promote the of human culture towards a benign and healthy track of development.

3. The Application of Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Acquisition

3.1 The Application of the Theory of Cultural and Historical Development in Second Language Acquisition

The basic point of Vygotskys theory of cultural and historical development is that it is necessary to investigate the development of childrens advanced psychological functions from the perspective of historical development by using factors such as social culture and historical environment. This requires learning a new language，people learn not only to the existing language system， the related theory， but also further study the history， cultural background， the language and the use of their special specification， which makes the abstract language combined with a specific culture，history，thus helping the learners efficient and easy to learn a new language， and understand its cultural connotation.

3.2 The Application of the Theory of “Zone of Proximal Development” in Second Language Acquisition

Vygotskys theory of “zone of proximal development” points out that teaching must go ahead of development， and educators must pay attention to two levels of students， namely， the existing level that will be reached through efforts or guidance， inspiration and help from others. The gap between these two levels is called “zone of proximal development”. In this sense， teaching should create students development.

Development provides a favorable theoretical support for both teachers teaching and students learning. Teachers in teaching students to learn and master a new language， you cant just stay on the existing level of students， you should guide and inspire students. Furthermore， it is necessary for teachers to help students get over difficulties to achieve development.

3.3 Specific Application of Internalization Theory in Second Language Acquisition

Internalization refers to the process in which an individual transforms the external things into the internal things and the object things into the subject things， that is， the process in which an individual transforms the knowledge absorbed in the social environment into the psychological structure. Advanced psychological function comes from the internalization of external actions， which can be realized not only through teaching， but also through daily life， games and labor. In daily work， we can also try to use a second language， so as to achieve the organic combination of theory and practice， which can also promote the internalization of the new language.

4. Conclusion

Vygotskys theory of social culture can be applied in the process of second language acquisition with good results， which will greatly promote the process of second language acquisition. We should pay attention to the important influence of culture， history and other social environments on second language acquisition， so as to provide a good social environment for second language acquisition and stimulate the interest and motivation of second language learners. Meanwhile， attention should be paid to the effective application of internalization theory in second language acquisition.

References：

[1]馬唯嘉.二语习得理论框架下对高中生英语写作策略的研究[D].哈尔滨师范大学，2018.

[2]付超群.国内动态系统理论在二语习得领域研究综述[J].科教文汇，2018，07：165-166.

[3]张涛，吴光亭，杨连瑞，陈士法.国内二语习得研究新思路：跨界与融合——“第七届中国第二语言习得研究国际学术研讨会”述评[J].外语教学理论与实践，2018（03）：52-55.

[4]杨帆.社会文化理论在二语习得中的应用研究[J].语言文学研究， 2013，13：22-23.

[5]桑宝才.维果茨基社会文化理论述评[J].武汉船舶职业技术学院学报，2015，14（06）：121-124.

[6]陆晓红.维果茨基社会文化视角下外语教师语言知识的建构[J].全球教育展望，2012，41（07）：26-32.

[7]宋金鸿.论维果茨基的社会文化理论及其教学应用[J].通化师范学院学报，2013，34（09）：136-139.

[8]马俊波.社会文化理论及二语习得研究的社会文化视角[J].天津外国语学院学报，2008（03）：9-15.

[9]刘星河.“最近发展区”对话性特征分析——维果茨基心理语言学视角[J].西安外国语大学学报，2013，21（04）：21-24.

[10]王颖.维果茨基最近发展区理论及其应用研究[J].山东社会科学，2013（12）：180-183.