Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04

HE closing months of 1911 Witness
ed in Washington. the formation
or a. league to encourage instruc-
ton in foreign languages among the boys
and girls In the primary schools through
out the country, who will, as the ties be-
tween the United States and other coun-
tries grow closer, find it more and more
necessary to be able to converse in some
language in addition to their mother
tongue. Incidents of the inferiority of
the majority of American citizens as
linguists are becoming more numerous
every day. according to the reports of
the league.
Il
1t is believed by the members of this
recently formed organization that in
struction in at least one foreign
language in the primary schools, at a
time when the children are just learning
the rudiments of the English language,
will greatly increase the number of
bilingual people in the United States.
Many professors of the various promi-
nent universities and number of gov
eminent officials have become interested
in this movement in behalf of oral in
struction in modern languages, as oppos-
teaching by translation.
This league really originated two years
ago in Boston, but very little active
campaign work was carried on until the
formation of the Washington branch in
October 1t is not in the United States
alone. however. that this method of in
struction is being proposed, for similar
movement Is on foot in many of the
European countries. The league here at
Washington is, in fact, a branch of the
IT, -
c. G. Rivot, professor of French and
Spanish in this city, has been elected by
the members of the league to the presi-
dency. A. George, head OF the French
department Wadleigh High School. New
York city, and President de la Societe
Rationale des Professors Francois en-
Amerique, is the honorary president of
the organization. Herman Schoenfeld,
professor Of germanics at George wash
ington University, and Charles F. Carusi,
dean Of the National University of Law.
hold the first and second vice presi-
dencies respectively. The secretary of the
organization is ]. Geddes. jr., professor OF
romance language, Boston University,
tary is held by E. Audrian. professor of
French and Spanish In this city. The
treasurer and assistant treasurer are o.
P. Hay, paleontologist of the National
Museum, and DR.. Salvatore F1oria. Uni
versity of Naples, also Of Washington.
1T is an undeniable fact that a speak
ing knowledge of languages is becoming
more and more necessary by reason OF
travel, business and relations which are
becoming closer and more numerous
every year between the United States and
Europe said Professor Rivot 1T is the
purpose of the league to bring together
all favorably inclined persons, in order
that their efforts may be concentrated
toward a solution of the problem of oral
instruction in modern language in pri-
mary schools, as now practiced in several
countries in Europe where the children
learn foreign language along with their
own. 1t is quite desirable that the league
should be composed of the largest pos
sible number Of teachers, since it is in
the interest Of American children that 1t
is organized in this country.
I'm our time of syndicates of all kinds.
of Industrial and commercial combina-
lions, is it not logical that the efforts of
intellectual workers should also be fed
Grated together? Moreover, it is not
only with an idea of union of persons
league appeals to those who are inter-
ested In the progress of languages, but it
also presents to them an example of
action, and its method is perhaps the So
luton Of the problem 1t is pursuing, or
at least step toward such solution by
means Of course lectures and expert
mentS.
INSTRUCTION by means of translation.
leaving out pronunciation and especially
schools, colleges and universities, Is en-