%0 Book Section %1 lantolf2006sociocultural %A Lantolf, J.P. %A Thorne, S.L. %D 2006 %E VanPatten, B. %E Williams, J. %I Mahwah, NJ, Erlbau, %K 2013_E852 ESL/EFL SCT ZPD imitation mediation %T Sociocultural theory and second language learning %U https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2nL2ay5AweNTnRFMW1JczlmVGM/edit?usp=drive_web&pli=1 %X The intent of this chapter is to familiarize readers with the principles and con- structs of an approach to learning and mental development known as Socio- cultural Theory.1 Sociocultural Theory (SCT) has its origins in the writings of the Russian psychologist L. S. Vygotsky and his colleagues. SCT argues that human mental functioning is fundamentally a mediated process that is orga- nized by cultural artifacts, activities, and concepts (Ratner, 2002).2 Within this framework, humans are understood to utilize existing cultural artifacts and to create new ones that allow them to regulate their biological and be- havioral activity. Language use, organization, and structure are the primary means of mediation. Practically speaking, developmental processes take place through participation in cultural, linguistic, and historically formed settings such as family life and peer group interaction, and in institutional contexts like schooling, organized sports activities, and work places, to name only a few. SCT argues that while human neurobiology is a necessary condition for higher order thinking, the most important forms of human cognitive activity developthrough interaction within these social and material environments. This chap- ter describes the major theoretical principles and constructs associated with SCT and focuses specifically on second language acquisition (SLA). In the first section, we elaborate on mediation—the central construct of the theory. We then discuss and relate to SLA other aspects of SCT, namely internaliza- tion, regulation (closely connected to mediation and internalization), the zone of proximal development, and the genetic method.

@inbook{lantolf2006sociocultural, abstract = {The intent of this chapter is to familiarize readers with the principles and con- structs of an approach to learning and mental development known as Socio- cultural Theory.1 Sociocultural Theory (SCT) has its origins in the writings of the Russian psychologist L. S. Vygotsky and his colleagues. SCT argues that human mental functioning is fundamentally a mediated process that is orga- nized by cultural artifacts, activities, and concepts (Ratner, 2002).2 Within this framework, humans are understood to utilize existing cultural artifacts and to create new ones that allow them to regulate their biological and be- havioral activity. Language use, organization, and structure are the primary means of mediation. Practically speaking, developmental processes take place through participation in cultural, linguistic, and historically formed settings such as family life and peer group interaction, and in institutional contexts like schooling, organized sports activities, and work places, to name only a few. SCT argues that while human neurobiology is a necessary condition for higher order thinking, the most important forms of human cognitive activity developthrough interaction within these social and material environments. This chap- ter describes the major theoretical principles and constructs associated with SCT and focuses specifically on second language acquisition (SLA). In the first section, we elaborate on mediation—the central construct of the theory. We then discuss and relate to SLA other aspects of SCT, namely internaliza- tion, regulation (closely connected to mediation and internalization), the zone of proximal development, and the genetic method.}, added-at = {2013-12-03T20:03:21.000+0100}, author = {Lantolf, J.P. and Thorne, S.L.}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/233c256f47995a6cfbad428f1dd175a43/bkgerm13}, description = {BibSonomy :: publication :: Sociocultural theory and second language learning}, editor = {VanPatten, B. and Williams, J.}, interhash = {f8ff156b7630bca6bf8c335b3e7fa1fc}, intrahash = {33c256f47995a6cfbad428f1dd175a43}, keywords = {2013_E852 ESL/EFL SCT ZPD imitation mediation}, publisher = {Mahwah, NJ, Erlbau,}, timestamp = {2013-12-03T20:03:21.000+0100}, title = {Sociocultural theory and second language learning}, url = {https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2nL2ay5AweNTnRFMW1JczlmVGM/edit?usp=drive_web&pli=1}, year = 2006 }