El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-10-08

.
y tween the people Of the United States especially along
the border and the people Of Mexico the language bar
ue the difference IN the familiar tongue Of social and
commercial intercourse and the literary medium
More attention should be paid to the teaching Of Spanish
in the public and private Schools not only Of the border
but Of the entire country. Mexico viii undoubtedly
extend steady the teaching OF Engsn as all the european
countries ana Japan are dong because i VII pay 70 DO So
But that does not meet the needs Of the situation Mex
leans nay have enough English for ordinary needs but they,
We hesitate TO the Unfamiliar tongue social inter-
course If Of two paroles to conversation, each under
stands without interpreter something Of the language
Of the other there Is greater opportunity for intelligent
exchange Of views and for sympathetic understanding
Not less essential If to enjoy to the full the
benefits Of closer intercourse with another Is ability TO
read the printed word IN the foreign tonguehe news
papers, periodicals, and books.
The general attitude Of English speaking people toward
foreigners is eff they want TO talk us, let them learn
English Leaving aside the implied arrogance, that IS an
attitude that costs English speaking people more than It
costs foreigners Foreigners generally among the more IN
teliEent classes know Of English than the English
speaking peoples know Of other languages. If English
speaking peoples ignore the foreign tongues they lose
greatly, not merely in material sense, IN commercial bene
fits but far important than that they lose heavily
il the satisfaction Of living They lose much Of the JOY
and recreation that come from vide contacts and extended
background.
Children learn foreign tongues much more easily than
adults They early acquire facility IN the Of the spoken
tongue which they often hear i all to them whether
the Of things the words that stand for acts
language another. And Of special importance that
If children begin the use and study Of languages at an early
the foreign tongues and without the fear shyness that
makes most adults those having superficial book
acquaintance with an alien tongue hesitate to ny to ez
press themselves IN public OF IN the company Of cultured
persons.
common mistake among school teachers and pro
fesonaI educators among vel meaning legislators 10
talk OF the courIsorn teaching Of this subject OF that
better word, and a better way, IS einterestng'-to
make subject n school interesting that the boys and
girls VII wait eagerly for the period and quit the class
with reluctance.
Language teaching can be, and ought to be- planned
from this standpoint The same principle applies to English
and 10 foreign tongues Inc teaching can BE- ana ought 70
BE- made intereEtngand when It is made interesting, all
need for copuou ceases. There is really such thing
Compulsory education IN anything. It is the duty Of
the state TO provide opportunity to every child TO become
educated and make education attractive and interest
ing that every child VII desire al he get
language teaching should be free possible from
formal grammar and dry material especially IN the earlier
years. The interest may be aroused and kept alive by
using materials matters Of current and interest
much need not be paid 70 classic eacness al rst
The main thing is facility. The Of foregn tongues
should be natural and easy to child adult Of
educational methods were Hght) the use Of knife and
fork at table.
These Who have lived long On this border OF who have
in past years enjoyed intimate Acquaintance with the Mex
pleasant memories OF the old days. THIS week we have
delightful gatherings In which the people Of
both republics have participated We have witnessed the
outward auifestatons ofuot new friendship but the
rsvvinz Of an old We have felt Warning Of the spirit
not necessary to snslyzs too infinitely feelings
that have been aroused BY the determinations Of this week
stirred him little and made him think IN different chan
nes There telling how much the masses Of people
have been impressed by the rhetoric and the oraory. But
back Of an there is something that has brought pleasure
md satisfaction to those Who think and feel bit more
kaenly than the average.
It is not the sold timers that need to be reminded
But must remember that since the Mexican centennial
year and the historic meeting here Of the two presidents
1000 persons have TO Fl Psso- Many, perhaps most
Of these have had the opportunity that those Of
earlier residence had, TO know and understand the Mexican
people
That there exists in both countries much ignorance
and prejudice arising out Of that ignorance need not
be denied But those Of either nationality who have been
privileged i tmespsst to Intimately their nsiEhbors
free from temporary and unhappy causes Of dfernc have
spec and II nay be- affection that had been the natural
and admirable product Of years Of intimacy.
We need have fear: the intelligent and sensitive folk
Of either nation fully recognise the fine and admirable
charaeteruaes that those Of the other nation possess
The Intelligent and sensitive folk Of either nation have
allowed the distressss and wrongs Of period Of
readjastsut disturb their fundamental faiths Let
not forget what has been but let remember the good
With the bad at least and the balance VIII be struck
the golden side.
Since the tine Of the first eaTeman al progress N this
world has about through the operation Of great
fundzmeatal foroes first emphasis points Of difference
leading to Tspudiation Of what is deemed evil and the
strengthening Of What is deemed good; second emphasis
points Of likeness things that hold IN common this
emphasis leading to all forms Of cooperation and erganza