The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-03
STUDENTS SOCIETY.
German Night at the Latter-day
Saints College,

German Night at the Latter-day
Saints College.
| 1t was German night at the regular ses-
sion of the Students society, held Friday
evening. The exercises we're conducted by
the German instructor, +. T. Haag. of the
Latter-day Saints College.
| The opening songs were sung by the
German classes, assisted by members of
the German choir. An essay on the Ger
man government, by Heber K. AldOus
was the first ON the programme Miss Ade-
lima Horsley then favored the society with
a German solo. LnebeSbitte, from. A
Reichardt. This was followed by a lee
ture on "The Study of German" by In
structor r. T. Haag. Its preference,
aims and methods in schools were dwelt
upon,
Mr. Haag said in part. "The supreme
Importance of lanSuaSe-study is acknoWl-
edged in every school or academy. There
may be various reasons based Upon in
diyidual taste, preference and the use to
be made of language that determine
which of the leading modern languages
should be selected for study; but he who
has no prescribed plan should understand
why the German language is to be pre-
ferred before all others. First-Because of
the klnshfp existing between the langua ges
and the people. This kinship is original
and fundamental, not secondary or de-
rived Both in origin and form the whole
groundwork Of the English language is
literature. It is asserted by the best critics
OF today that German literature, in all
departments OF prose. and poetry, Is The
only one entitled to be named alongside
full rivalry Third-Because of its COM
nercial and social worth. IN this respect
We need only to refer to few statistics
to convince Of its first claim to attention
! among foreign languages. The last census
shows that there have been 4600923 Ger
mans who emigrated to the United States,
ana It is calculated that over five mil
lion descendants from these are now iv-
ing in this country. 1t must be Interest,"
ing to note here that there are not less
than 536 German newspapers in the United
States. 90 Of which are dailfeS. with a cir
( eulation ranging from a few hundred to
5000. The others are WeehlieS or semi
weekly, papers With y1t Zoo a total number of
4, -. oS.o'ouy ~ y Ioeei5ll
| tatiOn.
The aim in the study of German IS, Of
course, to know German, to learn to
speak read and write it, some will say
! just as we have learned Our own mother
| tongue. Yes, indeed, but have we not been
fourteen years learning to speak, read and
write English, and are we still not being
taught its proper and correct use? Under
( the least considerations, therefore, it
would be impossible: to learn a foreign
| language IN three or four years as well as
| the present system Of class instruction it
appears a hopeless undertaking. That
! our whole system of modern language in
struction, therefore, needs overhauling Is
admitted by all who have had practical
experience. Etymology. language history,
| etc, except for occasional help, should be
| wholly omitted, The grammar, also should
be for the reading and speaking. not the
reading and speaking for the grammar.
j The student should be taught Systematic
cany from the. beginning and the teacher
need not trouble himself about mental dis
cipline. That will come of itself. The
tquestion which the world puts to the