New Britain herald., 1919-07-18
HOW ID GO ABOUT
 AMER|CANIZATION
Foreigners Must Be Treated in Broadminded Way, Speaker Says

Quite an audience of people from this city and nearby places listened intently yesterday to a very interest ing and instructive talk by Ms. Florence Hillsberg, director of Amer icanzation for the town of Manches- ter. This was the first of a series of talks open to the general public which are to be given in connection with the course for teachers of non nglish-speaking people conducted by the state board of education at the Normal school building, this city, under the direction of Samuel J. Brown, state supervisor of evening school instruction.
 A part of Mrs. Hillsberg's remarks follow:
 Tn dealing with the foreigners we broadminded way. Foreigners do not understand the meaning of America. To them it is a free country wherein they may do as they like. Their freedom is different from ours. We must not expect them to grasp our meaning instantly. They come here to better themselves. Some Ameri- cans think that their only aim is to become rich and then to leave this country. This is not true. They are only enjoying freedom which they never had before and are making the best of their new conditions.
 We must be patient with them and put ourselves into their places and realize how hard it is to get ac- customed with conditions of a new country, Teachers can learn a great ITO te in historical questions, are very pa triotic and want to learn more about American history.
 ''The foreigners have a wrong meaning for democracy. To them president is a king. They cannot un- derstand the value of the right to vote. They had no say about the government in their own country. The kings word meant law
 Do not try to destroy their past history. Respect it so that they will respect yours. By so doing you cre- ate a bond of sympathy with them. They have great respect for a teach CT; therefore, retain your sincerity toward them.
 Treat your schoolroom as a friendly gathering. If mothers can not come to school, take the school to their homes. You can form a class at one of their homes. They may take their babies with them. It is very essential that foreign mothers become Americanized. A gulf arises between the family, The children and fathers have more of a chan ce to learn the English language at schools and at their factories. The
  Children drift away from their mothers and lose respect for them as time passes.
 must be carefully chosen. They must have sympathy for the foreigners must not feel above them A knoWl- edge of the background information is necessary. They should acquaint themselves with the customs and traditions of their pupils, gain their confidence at the very beginning, ex- plain to them that their conditions of life are the same as their pupils. Establish a friendly feeling with them and you will hate to give up your work at the end of the course
 The foreigners appreciate very much what you do for them. They o'o "'lllhS to dO anythlng for you in return.
 "Encourage' them to show you their abilities. Let them teach you how to do handwork, etc. They feel proud to be able to help a teacher The entire community is benefited by this work of Americanization"
 The second lecture of this series will be given on Thursday next at lo a. m. sharp by Henry T. Burr, Of this city.