According to Tomasello, how do children learn language?

Tomasello's theory emphasizes that children learn language primarily through communicative intentions and social interaction. This perspective highlights that language acquisition is rooted in the social nature of language use. Children are not merely passive recipients of language; they engage with their social environment and use language as a tool for communication.

Tomasello posits that children observe the ways in which adults use language in meaningful contexts, allowing them to understand how words and grammatical structures are used to express intentions, desires, and interactions. This social interaction promotes language development as children participate in dialogues, learn from the responses of others, and gradually build their linguistic abilities in a way that is contextually grounded.

This approach contrasts with the notion of learning through direct imitation, innate grammatical rules, or rote memorization of vocabulary lists. While those methods may play a role in language learning, Tomasello places greater importance on the interactive and purposeful nature of communication in fostering language development. Understanding language as a tool for social interaction allows children to grasp its nuances and meanings effectively, leading to more substantial learning outcomes.