Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-08-02

pdk0 on TeAOS CuuS ...E
instruction in public schools.
The books used and the instruction
given in public schools shall be in
the English language, but any other
language may be used by teachers
in explaining to pupils who under
stand such language the meaning of
English words; and in high and grad
ed schools other languages may be
taught; when made part of regular
or optional course Of study. In
struction may also be given in such
languages in common schools, not to
exceed one hour in each day, by I'M
animous vote Of the trustees" This
law is just, comprehensive, clear and
meets American conditions, why is
it not more generally in force?
Need Of Teachers in Foreign
Languages.
English teachers learn foreign Ian
guages in order to meet the require
ment Of the law in explaining to for
eign pupils in their own language
'tthe meaning Of English words" and
in order to teach the foreign lang
uage of the settlement five hours a
week." English teachers in the COM
mon schools in the country districts
will gladly teach the leading foreign
language Of the community when
they know they give better satisfac-
ton by doing SO. American par
ents may have their children also en-
ter these classes if they wish; and
many are taking advantage so lib
orally offered. e..
Foreign Languages Gaining.
Marvellous progress has been made
during recent years in America in
teaching Scandinavian and German,
not only in the state universities and
high schools, but also in the element
airy schools. In Milwaukee, Wis,
and other cities, a child may study
the German language from the first
day it enters school until graduation
in the high school. Statistics are
being gathered here and there show
ing how many schools in each county
teach German, how many Norwegian,
Danish and how many Swedish. The
|showing is more encouraging than
one would suppose. While in Pope
county, Minnesota, I learned that in
120 Of the 80 country schools the
Norwegian language is taught five
hours a week. The only reason it is
not taught in more schools Of the
county is the lack Of teachers. The
lone great and immediate need there
fore is to prepare teachers, who are
liable to give elementary instruction
in German and Scandinavian in
country schools. This need could
be more fully met if German teach.
ers taught in German districts, ani
Norwegian and Swedish teachers il
settlements Of their country men
Too often teachers. of foreign par.
entage are worked into English dis:
tricts and English teachers into for,
leigh districts. Some hold this il
wise, others think it is mistake
} OF course many American teacher!
readily learn the elementary rudi
ments Of these languages to teacl
them in country school. The hes
; results, however, will be secured
from German and Scandinavian
teachers, and when the work is com
menced in the elementary instead 0:
the high school. IF the period be
tween the mothers training, and tn,
high school is neglected, both vii
fail. Hence the need Of elementar,
school teachers in modern Languages
Highest, Accomplishment of Younl
People.
The ambitious school child viii
have some accomplishment, that i
| certain What accomplishment i
easier to obtain or will introduce
Iyoung lady or man into broader soc
Iial, cultural and business circle
than the accomplishment Of convers
ing in one Of the worlds creates
languages besides that Of their nat
i've land7 In all the countries Of Eu
rope it is considered an accomplish
ment to speak languages, so ough
it to be here, and we believe, will be
Some seem to think, however, the,
know more when they speak only on
language than when they speak tw,
or three. English speaking peopl
meeting in Germany or Scandinavia
talk English, and why should peopl
in America from these lands thin
lit impolite to speak their language
in social or business circles Every
where q national life is being awak
ened, and as internationalism, tina
Twill put the man Of woman with onl