Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-03
NOW MY IDEA IS THIS!
Daily Talks With Thinking Phladephans on Subjects They
Kno,U Best

scriptions, explanations and arguments.
The explanation--called exposition in the
tcxtbooks-is one of the most useful forms
OF oral expression. Many adults are sur
priscd at realizing how difficult it really is
TO give clear, concise explanation of some
such process as bread baking, playing ten
MS or sweeping out room. The success
OF this kind Of teaching depends largely on
the careful grading of difficulties.
One of the most common causes of mis-
understanding and controversy among grown
persons lis the lack of clearness and pre-
clslon IN ordinary spoken discourse. We
use slovcnly speech and ambiguous phrases
and then wonder why our friends so often
rake away false Impressions of our mean
lngS. One of the most fundamental aims of
the public schools must be the establish
ment of solid habits of clear, concise. force
ful and correct oral expression.
From the point of view of the teach
ing of classroom subjects other than Eng
lsh, training in oral English has an i'm
portance that it would be difficult to over
estimate The improvement even in the
time that the new course has been in oper
alton in this city has led many teachers of
upper grades to comment on the fact that
history, geography. civics and even mathe-
matics and spelling seem to move along
more smoothly now that a definite effort is
being put forth in training children to stand
on their feet, face their classmates. arrange
their thoughts in logical order and express
themselves without undue confusion and
ambiguity.
Clear Discourse Important
IAN over the country the teaching of
oral English is receiving special emphasis
1t is not sufficient to give directions to
teachers in this matter since it is so largely
new field of endeavOr. The definite train
ing of teachers in this field becomes Il
necessity.
Philadelphia has been particularly for.
tlNnA
sponded with enthusiasm and Intelligence
TO the new demands of the curriculum.
When we consider that not only the course
in English. but the courses in ciyics. his
tory and physiology have also been com
pIetcy revised within the last ten years. il
becomes difficult to give adequate appreci.
alton to the thousands of teachers of the
grades who realizing that these changes are
in the direction of progress. have given
hours and hours of their outside time to
prepare themselves to meet the new de-
mands.
I'm a democracy such as ours it is Of
peculiar Importance that the citizenry should
receive adequate instruction in the ART of
discourse. BY this we do not mean oratorv
or eloCuton in the old fashioned sense hmt
simply that habit of clear, forceful and per.
suasive speech which will put the thinker
in the position of leadership which of right
belongs to him.
There is no doubt about the fact tbot
many of the evils inherent in democracics
in general are the result of the fact tbot
many of our finest men and women keans
minded and logical in their thinking, find
themselves tongue tied and mpotcnt in
meetings with their fellows.
Personally, feel very hopeful when
think OF the recent changes in the PbiIo.
dclphia courses of study. Our new comr"o,
need not fear comparison with those of an1
other American city. In fact, coma. "n ns
them are being sent for constantly from nil
parts of the country to help in the orI worL az ~
revision going on in other places. WI Il Vi
,ro'jdod H1 me e. new kinds of school activities
none is more significant or more nron,ioi or ours
than the work being accomplished in i'~,S,hs tonnhs
ing children the art of spoken English ~" :"