New-York tribune., 1870-08-27
GERMAN-AMERJCAN TEACHING.

| AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF SCHOOL EDUCATION
Before the National Convention of German
| American Teachers In Louisville, sd inst, Prof w N
Haiman delivered an important address in which vere
cited the noteworthy defects OF American system. of
school teaching and the improvements which the Ger
manAmercan sytem proposes 10 effect In addition IN
the numerous delegates Of the Convention large and
fashionable audience present at the delivery OF tho
address and was warmly Interested in the views adyo.
Gated by the speaker
Many persons have been under the Impression that
what was meant by the decentralization school was
simply one where in addition 30 the ordinary elementary
branches Of instruction, the German language was
taught and that the principal intention OF the move.
ment in favor OF such schools the introduction Of
German language as OF the studies of the pupils
Nothing could be further from the fact. The German
American school protest against the defects OF exist
ing American systems OF education; II IL educational
reform: and proposes TO deal with all the abuses Of
the present methods both OF school instruction and gov
ernment, by substituting for them improved modes Of
teaching and discipline and the entire freedom Of the
school from sectarian and political management
The ordinary schools OF this country including the
public schools, with many noble but exceptional in.
stances, may be regarded furnishing the pupil with
the opportunity Ofacquirng fair skill in reading writing.
and arithmetic with the acquisition OF or less OF
positive facts to be learned by rule and lodged in
the memory upon other subjects such "a history, gog
raphy, &c II may be stated In summary way that the
main object sought Is to supply the boys with sufficient
information qualify them to engage successfully ia
the pursuit Of making money, and the girls with SUM
cent show Of accomplishments 10 enable them 10 aus
picIousy attempt the pursuit OF husbands.
The means and methods the text books and the rcca-
ton benches appeal almost exclusively 10 the initiative
educational value Of different branches is entirely dsre
garded Penmanship history aud geography receive the
attention reading ana arithmetic, and more man
biography and composition, which are usually nuch
neglected. Hence IL happens that unless the Punil ls
specially gifted, this kind OF education rather hampers
than benefits him. and the sefmade men Of America,
eminent in the spheres of usefulness they have marked
out for themselves, have usually receBed Dut ntt Oi
this Of training The speaker declared thai ne ha
scores Of young men and women OF gooi natme @
parts brought up in country schools where tey ba
attended constantly for many years unable ~ Ie age 81
Is read write the simplest sentence correctly 10
pronounce words Of three syabes without htsaQh OF
to solve the simplest examples In short or long uyS9 or
supeInclaiIty III tio IH. ~ VI c,,fiory y1bi,h
other nations apt 10 consider descnptlye OF heIi
cans. One OF its least consequences Is feeble appra
tion Of what is correct in art one OF the most
the substitution OF material aims Tor lieaI AZ,
The notorious want OF success In the methods OF
pine principally adopted In American schools receiver
very free comment from the lecturer and examples were
periments in schools by teachers who seemed to be g
nOrant OF the inevitable injury which such metnods &
occasion to the mental aud moral development ol In
pupil But still more serious perverslon OF Tue e
system OF education originates from tle inter- rib. D
political and religious influences which at once PrsrDo
the who shall teach the books thal rna w.
used and the modes by which the instruction shau DC
conveyed under Influences which, IL not absolutely al.
tagonstic 10 proper education cannot III any case IcS'
from an impartial perception OF its requirements.
The sysern Of the American school proposes 70
carefully avoid all these defects Above all the pup
10 form correct habit of thought 10 be taught 10 THINK
correctly. The memory is not to be neglected; bu.
is to be laid upon habits OF accurate and tapu
observation prompt and logical induction, unerrng de-
duction. Thus the powers OF the pupil properly eh
panded, shall fit him for any position IN nc Ior as h
emergency. The aim is 10 instruct ana develop the
mind rather TO adOrn IL with speeious accomplish
ments that often thiny underlying ignorance
The details instruction by which these oeets are az
compshed were given by the lecturer. IL was Pont
ont that the schools OF Germany now acknowledged
as the the world and 10 them families that ara
able to afford the expense from all parts OF the g2Ds
! on the other hand, the German nation sends
| merchants and members Of the learned pro-
fessons who win "a other lands the highest rputaons
| for thrift and trs,stwOrhness. The German citizen
ment OF his mental powers, and unacqainted WIN our
language, before many years stands among us a.
thriving and prominent citizen, having won his way a.
consequence Of his early education to eminence, a.
wealth and enterprising merchant, an expert engineer
a trusted lawyer or physician, or skilifu artist.