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Teaching and learning activities are the most important ones to change the quality of

people. In order to make it success, teachers or lecturers should understand learning theories
before they practice in the class room. There are in fact three learning theories, they are:

behaviorism, structuralism and socio-cultural learning theory. Here, it will be delivered a

comparison between structuralism and socio-cultural learning theory.

1. Definition

Structuralism is one of theory in language learning. This theory underlies that a
language has various smaller parts which correlate one to the others until they can show a

certain meaning in language. Analogically, knowledge of language is brought like a

mechanical thing which has several systems that work in well coordination to give a
meaningful function for human. The system its self can be broken down into smaller parts

which have unique function.
In the other hand, the socio-cultural theory believes that the learning and cognitive

development of students happen as a result of social interaction. It argues that learners will
get much development in learning when they interact within their adults, peers, and

environments.

The structuralism learning theory in fact firstly introduced by Saussure through his

analogical argument on two 8.45 trains which departed from Geneva to Paris. Although,

Saussure argues, two 8.45 trains on two different days may well have nothing in common
regarding their physical substance – there may be different wagons, a different locomotive,

conductor and engine driver – we still talk about one and the same train, the 8.45 from

Geneva to Paris, because the differences to other trains in the whole system, for example
with regard to time of departure and itinerary, indeed remain the same, irrespective of the

day of departure (Saussure 1916: 151).
However, the socio-cultural learning theory firstly proposed by Vygotsky in

1978,1986 and 1987. He believed that the development of students is influenced by peers,
adults and environment on the learning process.

2. Opinion
As a theory of learning, the structuralism theory of language learning has its merit

especially for beginners or young learners. In this theory of learning, the young learners are
provided basic and fundamental sentence structures and grammar in verbal and written

A comparison between Structuralism and Socio-Cultural