The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-05-29
For the sunday Advertlser.l

qualified teacher, that is to say,
have not received any diploma for tina
art I was in Berlin. stranded in Der.
lin, and. as other positions were no
to be had. I accepted proffered posi-.
ton as teacher in school of Ian
guages.
The remuneration fol. the daily sever
hours shouting and talking was barely
sufficient TO quench the thirst it caus-
ed, but it was either that or nothing
hence a natural reason for accepting
Those who are new TO the method OF
these schools are supposed to be mi
tiated by competent teachers I was
new. but the number of pupils increas-
ed SO rapidly that there was no time
to think about methods. However, in
order to facilitate matters, was given,
as starter, a conversation class.
A. pupil, on entering the room. would
kick his heels together sharply and
make some atmospherical quotations in
execrable English. After this, he seat
ed himself My first inclination was
to. give up the idea of making con-
versation, = but second thoughts. Of a
hazy vision of something necessary
and nutritious for the Inner man, .
enticed me to begin the lesson.
You are in what business" I asked
pupil.
In the postcard picture business, .
was the answer.
Dear me, how interesting, and you
are one OF the persons who are to blame
for the craze?s suggested 1.
'swie heisst dass au1. Deutsch craze
und blame
AS I wished to be conscientious, I
would not talk German. So, I would
spend the greater part of an hour in
explaining the real meaning Of the two
words, blame and craze And I
am OF the opinion that the pupil never
would have been sure of them had I
not answered IN the affirmative when
he gave their equivalents IN his own
language. The theory of this method
is. that once pupil learns word,
whatever it is, ne must never let it slip
his memory. no matter how much time
and trouble are required to fix it there
securely There is certain amount of
wisdom IN this proceeding. but it hap
psns very often that a buIl-headed in
dividua1 viii grasp an entirely differ
ent meaning for the word which one
Is trying to explain, and go away salts
fed THAI he has at last learned it..
Then it takes long time to persuade
him when the recitation comes that he
has acquired q wrong meaning.
The close of the recitation hour is
announced to both teacher and pupil
BY the sounding of an electric gong
at times. this gong, when rung, SO
pleased me in letting me know that /
was at last rid Of a thing pupil, that
even though I were in the midst of an
explanation, would stop short and
end the lesson. TO be continued in our
next style.
Another class given me was conpos-
ed of stolid Teuton females. Of the
younger generation. They would be
ready to eat the very words from my
mouth the minute I entered the room.
-rhe room was bare, except for table
and a few chairs. would invariably
md my pupils huddled around the table
for the purpose Of being as near tile
s.teacher' as possible. With a sign,
managed TO convey to them the idea.
that more room was necessary for me
TO sit. So. instead of having them
seated around the table, would make
them sit in a straight row opposite me.
After a few weeks. the old preyerb
showed itself. familiarity. etc.
whether male or female, had TO make
them understand that onee inside the
room, they must consider themselves in
school. and just as chileiren must con-
slider me as the MASTER as well as
the instructor.
This plan acted ADMIRABLY IN the
majority of cases, but at times there
was a little trouble from some of the
pupils. remember one girl who would
read on, regardless of errors or whether
she could be understood. Tt was then
that I had to make her understand that
such actions were not only stupid, but
useless
Don't go on reading yum. yum. yum,
no one can understand single word
you are reading" 1 said to her.
This made her sulk at once and re-
fuse to read when her next turn came.
But passed her and, in an authorita-
tive tone. commanded. Next" And
the others continued. regardless of the
girls feelings.
{ The last class at night was composed
of the hard workers, who generally had
Just stopped working and who, in most