New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-29
STUDY or MODERN LANGUAGES.
A pERMANENr AssOCIATION FORMED.

n,ovrssops nrscUssISG METHODS OF TEACHING
AND MEANS TO RAISE THE STANDARD.
The convention of college professors OF
modern languages continued at Columbia College yes
teriay morning and afternoon At the morning session
Professor E. L. Walter, of the University OF Michi-
can presided The subject discussed was "The
Best Method OF Teaching Modern Ian
O,aees Professor Brandt, Of Hamilton College,
thought that the method Of teaching should vary WIN
the aim Of the student wished to study German
or French simply for the sake of reading works IN hoso
languages which would aid them in some speciality while
Others studied them to learn to speak them in business or
for the sake of literary culture pathological research
The discussion was participated in by Professors An
drews of Columbia College; Woman, OF vanderbilt
University; Cooke of Harvard College, Elliott OF Johns
Hopkins University; and Rice, Of Williams College
Al the afternoon session President carter, OF
Williams College, presided and 1.-THE Most Eli
cent Means of Raising the Standard OF
Study Of Modern Languages" discussed Professor
Brandt Of Hamilton College proposed that Journal IN
the interest of modern language study De estanshed
with several observation-disclosures for English another Tor
French third for German and fourth under one ealtoT
Tor Italian and Spanish The journal should DE IeNoe9
TO hook reviews, original matter and pedagogc ana
should not be Of g96aff the Establishment Of
journal of popular philGl9gy, when would DC DC
large and growing class OF educated men in different
walks of life Professor Elliott OF Johns Hopkins Uni
need of trained teachers in modern languages He knew
of one place where teacher had the title of professor
stuly was called lectures French and the prcScrya
on of the teeth The speaker did not wish 10 have the
modern languages substituted for Greek Comparisons
were OdOus he thought Greek should be used Tor thOr
Ough preparation for students but when they came 10
college they should have the opportunity 10 take what
they wished 1t almost impossible TO nave goOd
superStrucure of modern language swithOut good fOn
daOn of the ancient languages Inc professor thOuEn
that the languages should be placed on an equ
classical languages The inferior position
which Eodern languages had occupied lowered the respect
for them teachers students and the public generally
Professor Williams, OF Brown University, san thaI
modern languages would never reach plane OF eqaly
win mathematics and the ancient languages until ny
ef1titH: iGs,ructiaa they se32ld be made Is Glia-
cult and rs solid mathematics, Greek or Latln
Professor Calvin Thomas of the University OF Michigan
said that professors would do well respect the abilities
Of their students, and 10 assume that they WOu lal
iariZe themselves with any range or lded
which was constantly presented TO them. He conse-
eptly did not think instructors did, that stu
dents were not benefited by the study Of Greek plays
Iessinrs "IaocO0n" or GOethe's Faust" because
thew could not understand these works com
pletely From the discipline which resulted 10
The memory and especially from that broaden
ing of the mental faculties called culture, the study
of the classics most beneficial, he thought ana 10
many men the reading OF Homer in the original had
been one Of the most important events IN their lives
A the Committee on Organization was adopt
ed by which permanent association was formed with
the name, The Modern Language Association OF Amer
ica-D AEy professor of modern languages IN college
which cOnfeTs the degree OF b. A. may become member
of the association and any teacher may join !
who has been invited TO do so by the Executive Commit
tee following officers were elected for the coming
year President Carter, Of Williams presidents Professor
Elliott, of Johns Hopkins, secretary ana Professors
Brandt OF Hamilton; Williams, OF Brown; Walter, OF
Michigan; Lltz, OF Harvard March, OF Lafayette
Joynes OF South Carolina s. Smith, OF Columbia ana
Hart of Cincinnati executive committee votes OF thanks
Garter Professor Walter the secretary and those who
had called the convention.