New-York tribune., 1906-08-10
THE HOME TEACHER.
Advantages of Fraulein System an
German Households.

''one OF the peculiarities of the educational
system OF Germany. and one which strikes an
American as being particularly peculiar. is the
fraulein, or home. teacher" said woman who
has just returned from visit to that country.
Prom the time child begins to go TO school,
which the law makes obligatory at the age of six,
The services OF a mathematician are exchanged,
.n nine families OF ten for those of fraulein.
who may may not be resident and whose
duties are manifold. She must see that the
children are made ready for school and no
books. copybooks or pencils forgotten. She must
take them 10 and from school and assist them
with their school work for so many hours in the
afternoon. Thus the children are not respon-
sible for anything. II books are forgotten,
fraulein has neglected TO put them into the bag.
II lessons are not properly prepared. she is taken
20 task by the parents when complaints come in
from the teacher.
'One American mother whose little daughter
SIS In her first year in large private school grew
very tired of the complaint which appeared
every week written at the foot Of the little girls
otherwise good report. Mary must be taught TO
read better She visited the principal Of the
school. and told him frankly that she paid to
have her daughter taught there. and did not in
tend TO have work done for the teachers outside
since then she has heard no more complaints
Teaching Mary to read is 10 more considered
70 be the work Of an Oberlehrerin than teaching
part line by line is the work Of stage man
ager She is there to hear how Mary has been
taught 10 read and 20 correct any slight mistakes
OF infection or pronunciation The drill work
IS supposed TO have been done before Mary
comes 40 the class. In six cases out OF ten the
senoo teacher began her professional career as
1raulein and knows what IT is She also sees
me difference in the work Of pupils who have
and those who gave net this outside assistance
IN measure. this system is a part of the
cnaperone system. little girl is never allowed
70 go on the street alone on the Continent and
therefore there must be some one always at
hand 10 accompany her. II is a marvel that
these children, brought up TO be waited upon
and helped at every turn. ever turn out to be
anything AT all. and il is no wonder that the
average German girl has little or no independ-
ence or individuality Of character. This condi-
ton prevails not only in the upper classes and
among the nobility and wealthy people. but even
lein in the house is considered as indispensable
as a cook.
THE salary of the fraulein, who must in most
cases be an educated teacher. ranges from thirty
20 sixty marks month. and Il requires particu-
larry high qualifications TO command the latter
The German mistress is accustomed TO get all
she can for her money. and unless her duties
clearly defined the frauein Will find herself
acting as ladies' maid, companion or nurse ac-
cording as il happens. She is almost always
required to share the room OF the younger chill
dren, and that means to dress them in the
morning.
The nurse in the English and American sense
OF the word, is almost an unknown factor among
domestic servants in Germany. trained nurse
until il is year old Then follows a kinder
fraulein. knderfrau. She usually takes a
high hand, does with the boy exactly as she
chooses, and leaves without warning if the
mother ventures a suggestion. Then follows the
fraulein. for school work. She is retained until
the services Of a ladies' maid are required