The behaviourist theory was one of the earliest theories and was created by J B Watson in 1913. The behaviourist theory was supported by Skinner as well as Pavlov and Thorndike (UK Essays, 2018). The behaviourist theory states that learning which includes language occurs when a child does soemthing correct and experiences positive reinforcement because of it. It also states that one should not provide reinforcement when something is not a pleasing behaviour (M Bester, 2013).

The behaviourist theory according to language learning also states that very young children learn language from other humans in their environment. through those humans providing praise, imitation, as well as practice (waris, n.d.).

An example of the behaviourist theory with regards to language learning would be a baby, aged birth to one year, making sounds or muttering something. The muttering and sounds need to be and will be recognised in their home language and therefor the baby will be rewarded and praised for it.

The positive reinforcement and spurs are encouraging the children to put in the work to try and progress until they are able to perform successfully in their environment. Language learning is considered as repetition as well as imitation that are guided by external affairs according to the behaviourist theory (M Bester, 2013).