Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-12-20
MODERN \ uAGE3 ltt d CITY
GRADED SCHOOLS
BY Prof. j. N. Lenker, D. d.

Since committee Of twenty Of the
sixty four principals Of the Minneap-
oils graded schools are at present
revising the course Of study for their |
schools, it may be helpful and in
place to consider what work and sue
cess other cities have in teaching
modern languages with the new, d.
rect methods now being introduced in
Europe and America. Our Minneap-
oils schools are up to the American
standard, it seems, in every line ex-
cept in modern languages. Philology
and Pedagogy, language and educa-
ton are most intimately related and
serve each other perhaps more than
any other two sciences. Reading,
writing and spelling in another Ian
guage aid in teaching the same
branches in English. So the study Of
grammar, language, composition and
music in a second or third tongue
advances the progress Of pupils in
these branches in English. A second
language should be taught in our
graded schools for the sake of the
English language. They should be
taught also for the sake of the dis
cipline Of the mind, the usefulness Of
the citizen and the culture Of the ma
ton in it's relation to other nations.
It saves money and work for teach
er and pupil in more ways than one
by giving an hour each day to teach
ing modern language in all the eight
! grades as an optional study in place
of studies less important. A second
language adds life, variety and pleas
ure to the work of the pupil. BY
making it substitute for other stud
les no extra expense will be incurred
and no extra work added to the pupil.
Modern languages deserve dignifed
treatment in graded schools.
Let us now make brief notes from
the latest school reports Of few
typical cities.
indianapolis. The 1909 report Of
the graded schools in Indianapolis,
Indiana, gives the following inform
alton. German is offered as branch
Of study in the public high schools
and in the public elementary schools
| of all districts in which demand for
such instruction was made conform
ably to the following state law:
"Whenever the parents or guardians
of twenty-five or more children in at
tendance at any school of a township,
town or. city shall so demand, it shall
be the duty of the school trustee or
trustees Of said township, town or
: city to procure efficient teachers and
introduce the German language, as a
branch Of study, in such schools; and
{ the tuition in said schools shall be
: without charges: Provided, Such de-
mand is made before the teacher for
r said district is employed" R. S.
Sec. 5984.) This is one Of the best
|, laws relating to this subject on rec:
> ord and resembles the law Of Mime
!sota.
During the year 10000 German
was taught in 38 district schools and
in all the high schools of 1ndianap-
e oils. The 404 German classes in the
graded schools were taught by ~
German teachers and the AZ classes
: in the high schools by s teachers
|, More than two-t thirds Of the grade
n pupils were not of German parents
4,708 of total 6,501 and 694 of the
!. 995 high school German pupils were
Of other than German parentage
d This proves that Americans are be.
s coming more interested in modern
:. languages, which are taught for NJ
e class, but are optional for all citizens
It In Indianapolis German is an option.
al study in grades PISA. One hun.
dred and twenty minutes per weel
S are assigned, the time being deducted
2 from other school time. The enroll.
ment Feb. 10, 1909, was: SECOND