New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-08
FRENCH GIRLS SCHOOLS.
PRACTICAL Use OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
DIFFICULT FOR PARISIENNES
From The Paris Figaro.

From The Paris Figaro
Great notifications are to take place this year
In the course OF study in the schools OF secondary
instruction FOR girls. This secondary instruction.
according 10 a decree OF January H. 1852. which
Instituted It. comprises five years Of study. and Is
divided INFO TWO Dcriods-thc first Of three year.
and the SECOND ~ two. The normal age Of en-
trance 10 these schools "a twelve years.
Some members OF the present Council Of Edu-
cation thought that an Infringement OF the course
Of study was necessary. In July last they eH-
pressed the desire that the programme OF the
'I.ycecs" for young girls should he revised. placing
IL on IA broader II erary basis and distribution OF
hours. leaving 70 the pupil tho choice OF study
hours. meanwhile the morning hours being re-
served for the regular courses
The principal points of On tngc In this reform are.
nrst In regard 10 hours. there has been 10 modi-
ncation in this regard. one hour being tn length
Of each class period. For Ave years twenty -one
hours Il week have been given TO French studies
Some reductions have been made in this In III"
third fourth and nfth years but i'm the fourth ono
hour has been added FOR ancient literature. and In
the total is stii twenty and onc-half hours f.,
A course In elements Of Latin OF TWO hours IN
This 'oursc gaze good results. and me suppress
The teaching OF the living language has been ihe
object OF long dss"nsions. some members OF thr
Council wishing 10 make oblisator; the STUDY 81
two-(iern,an and English This project nis do
fented and II was decided 10 make on" obligatorv
he
should be permitted for the study OF the other
Bcsid.s This II was agreed that the serious teach
ing OF the living langunges should be organized In
the two years preparatory 10 these I'VE secondary
years. .
This reform IL an excellent one. more valuable
than all the others IL has been said that this has
always been the weak spot In the department oil
inst that the professors were not equd
10 their task. but the time at their disposal was so
limited that they were Obliged 10 devote II 10 the
grammar and themes Instead or the actual lan-
guage OF the stranger This has been 80 wei done
however that al the end pupils reclte by heart
bpautifuI from Goethe ana scnlii"Ir pdt
are Incapable Of demanding "A becfsteak at "A res
taurant or inqulrfng the way In the streets.
one begins to understand that II Is more IosC,h'
and practical FOR the children to study the speaih
ing languages even though AZ nTst mp mn,
MANY errors In grammar these VIII ulsaplrnr
,,ha, thcv cease 10 be confined TO the dictionary
and can read the text with ease ana pieasur'.
J'hanks 10 these three hours a week OF strahGe
Vii cive good results, and all the students who
have gained their instruction ~ the Lyce's WIN
be able 10 speak German or EntllSh, III "hlch
thev will be superior to their brothers.
Caorrnphy and history. physics ana chemistry
have been Somewhat changed In regard to Time IN
me different years. but Physiology mas op,nihtu
Two hours instead OF one in the nlth year. mere
yrcrc warm discussions the course IN sewing,
some members wishing to make IL eIcctise put lnis
vas objected 10. 1t remains obligatory III the hrst
second and thirG years. with Il minimum OF TWO
hours pcr week Drawing. vocal music ana ~ m
n9stics are obligatory IN the nrst three and elect
i've in the latter two years .
The number OF pupils at the i.yce"s increases
:. ~ ar This movement cannot do less than BRINK
near the day when the parents WIZ he CONVINCED
mai Instead OF transforming their Gaughteis mo
useless blue-stockings. we siliiI max OF theii
women sufficiently educated 10 sustain their role
~ ,ci.iv and sufficiently well balanced to know
that their happiness lies III the simple JOYS OIL inc
family life.