Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-20
Teaching the
Alien to Be a
Good Citizen
Immigrants Civic League Gives
Foreigners>a Course of Study
That Educators Say Every
Boy and Girl Should Have.

In the education of the immigrant
lies the solution of one Of the most
important and perplexing problems
that confront the American people.
Millions are coming each year, and
as the Panama canal opens the num-
Der will be greatly increased. OF
those who come comparatively few
return to their native lands. the
great majority establishing homes in
this country. In the amalgamation
they adapt themselves to new con-
ditions and in successive generations
become Americanized in language,
thought and ideals. These processes
require years as the ties of language,
habit and kinsfollS are strong.
Time. however, with distance and
new associations, under changed con-
ditions. weaken the bonds that held
the foreigner to his. homeland, and
gradually he or his children become a
part Of the great American nation.
The education, or as we might call 1t,
the preparation Of the alien for eiti-
zenship is a challenge to us.
Upon the people who already have
the educational and other advantages
of progressive statehood rests the re-
sponsibility for the future of others
who are constantly coming to US. IL
is an opportunity for it advances not
only citizenship of the United States
but has an influence upon the eoun-
tries from which these people come.
They are anxious to learn, perhaps
more so upon their arrival, than
when they have been here a few
years.
of the organizations that have ac-
eented this educat ional challenge
none have taken such advanced ac-
ton OF adopted work which gives
such great promise of success as the
New Yorlk-New Jersey branch of the
North American Civic League Tor
Immigrants. This league for the past
two wears has investigated many
phases of the immigrant question in
New Jersey, and is now conducting
work which the officers classify as
Constructive experiments, based
upon the needs of the immigrant as
determined by the observations OF
its trained workers
During the last month the course
in civics for foreigners learning Eng
lish was introduced as an experiment
in several of the evening elementary
schools of New York city, and, if |
the plan will be extended |
to schools of New Jersey and other |
parts of the country.
The course includes three years of |
study 1t is divided into four gen
eral parts, each of which is taken |
up during the first year and also in |
greater detail in the succeeding |
years. These are: First, what the |
government does; second, the city, |
State and nation; third, chances for |
The foreigner fourth. American his
tory. 40 Fu
Safety and obedience to the law |
are among the earlier subjects taken |
up, and he is taught his duty toward |
the fire and police departments, as
well as the reciprocal duty that the |
two departments owe to him. Care
in the use of matches, dangers from !
in the factory. the necessity |
for knowing the stairway exits and !
the fire exits in the tenement house /
and at his place of employment are
upon him.
When the course of study was |
shown to an American citizen he |
stared in amazement and remarked. |
These matters should not be con-
ined to the immigrant but taught to |
very boy and girl Personal ny
yiene and health also receive careful |
attention. The student is given the |
ocation of the hospitals in the part !
IF the city in which he lives, the |
hours at which patients are received, |
md the women are taught to help |
heir sick Ifeighbors or care for mem
)ers of their own families. The work |
IF the letter carrier and the post
3ffice is discussed and the points of !
Inference between the United States |
post and that Of his own country |
explained. He or she is. taught how |
o secure a money order, domestic or |
'creign. and how TO register letter. |
Is well as rules regarding the various |
classes of postage. etc.
One of the important features OF |
he course is Instruction in the natu-
laws including the clements
If good citizenship. the legal require
nents for the first" and second"
II final papers, and the making out |
If applications. Talks upon the duties
If a citizen and kindred subjects are |
included in the course.-Fair Play.