critical analysis of Vygotsky and Piagets theory of language learning

Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, University of Sindh (Institute of English Language and Literature), language: English, abstract: Linguists with the collaborations of Psychologists have presented various theories of cognitive development and language learning since the time unknown, these theories have influenced the learners' learning behavior in a particular area over a specific time when a particular theory was in force. These theories were not only followed but many of them empirical tested and tried which finally allowed the Linguists and Psychologist to impose them, simultaneously some of them were not empirically tested (Krashen's Monitor Model) but remained in the practice due to their immense worth and importance or reliability among the linguists and educators in the cognitive set up. Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky (1896 1934) and Jean Piaget (1896-1980) were 20th century contemporary philosophers and psychologists, they presented their theories for the child s cognitive development, however their theories were entirely different and opposite to each other except very little agreement, they exert a tremendous influence over the schooling environment of children. These theories were not only practiced but also remained in force time to time. Vygostky was Russian psychologist who died earlier at the age of 38, due to tuberculoses but he has written more than 100 articles and books, Vygostky s major work remained in Russian language (until its translations in 1960) but some of the translations are available now, Vygostky wrote about language and thought, cognitive and learning development, psychology of art and educating the students with special needs.