Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-04-06
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
CONDUCTED BY J. F. LANGENBAUaH.


CONDUCTED By J. F. LANGESBAUGH.
THE STUDY OF GERMAN IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
Until within the last few years. the
study Of German was regareed, In
ury, and the number of Americans
who knew anything of the language
was very small Formerly, too, Ger
nan was generally looked upon with
downright disfavor. OF the modern
languages, French held the field.
Now German has displaced French
in public favor, and, even in some of
ton OF substituting the study of
German for that of Greek, has been
gravely discussed.
Aside from other considerations, the
enormous increase in the number of
German speaking inhabitants has had
much to do with effecting a change
In view on this matter in America.
Their wants had, and have daily to be
supplied. They have created in this
world a commerce which, in many
country, and maintained with the old
instances, made familiarity with the
German language a necessity for the
man OF business. Perhaps no educa-
tional advance of our times has met
with more genuine and more extern
sive favor As a proof of this. we
may mention the fact that. i'm many
Of the States of the Union, Indi ma
included, special provision has been
made for the teaching of German in
schools where there is majority, or
a sufficient number of German child
rem. Commercial reasons are not
the only ones which might be ad-
duced in favor OF this new branch of
instruction. Various others are at
hand; but want Of space will not al
low us even to enumerate, much less
| dwell upon them ALL The
facilities OF modern travel have
brought Germany. we might say, al
most to our doors. The number of
persons from this country. visiting
Germany has enormously increased.
Business recreation, health and study
induce them to go over in an ever in
creasing stream. The result of all
this is that no one being educated
for business, in this country, can dis
pense with German. Whoever neg
lects to learn il will be distanced by
those more alive 20 the wants
of the time. The American
people have pronounced upon the
Importance of this new branch, and
are acting vigorously. Hencforth Ger
man will occupy the next place to
English in our schools A strong
objection usually urged against Ger
man was its difficulty. But such an
objection is untenable, as has been
fully demonstrated in a most. salts
factory manner. Again and again in
various schools where German is
taught by competent teachers; that
though the German boys, OF course.
excelled the others i'm conversational
powers, the American, Irish aud Eng
lish boys had learned the action and
grammatical construction of the
German language surprisingly well,
fully equalling the 'childten of Ger
man parents.
Ii must be evident to every I'M
prejudiced mind that, when properly
taught, German is far from being
repulsive.yi easy TO learn; and the
children like it. Like everything else
that is learned, German may be well
taught or badly taught. and thereon
depends the success or failure of the
pupil. 1t is not our purpose here to
make any remarks touching the tech
nical part OF the German teachers
duty. But i'm conclusion would say
to those who very artlessly imagine
that the two languages, English and
German. one must Of necessity sue
cumb; that in Europe many millions
OF people speak two languages fluent
ly, to the very great advancement OF
their interest both social and COM
mercial- II such process of reason
ing may be dignified with the name
Of argument at all. its simple state
ment is its best refutation. 1t is well
fitted TO keep company with that 9th
er assertion that the study of foreign
languages is opposed to the genius
OF American institutions. Thus we
leave it, convinced that it will be
smiled at by those commanding
another language besides their moth
er tongue, as well as by those TO
whom experience has demonstrated
the priceless value OF solid knowl-
edge OF foreign languages, but more
especially of the German.