Arizona republican., 1921-12-08
By J. Warren Aver, Head of English Department

Practically every pupil of the Phoenix Union High school is en- rolled in some class of the English department It is, of course the larg est department of the school, and certainly second to none in import ance.
 Almost invariably the kind of Eng fish one uses is taken as an index of his character and intelligence. The fact that through language our stu dents make their first and most eX- tensive contact with the community causes this department to receive the lions share of any criticism of the work of the schools; moreover it is the faulty and not the correct use of the language that impresses the critic, so invariably we are judged by the poorest of our products. A mis- spelled word or an error in sentence structure is taken as sufficient req son on the part of persons. who would resent being called unfair. for the assertion that the work in Eng fish in the high schools of the coun- try is inefficient or even valueless.
 It is not the purpose of this ar ticle, however, to answer any criti- cisms, if there be such, either specific or general, but rather to give the people of the community some idea of our objectives in the teaching of English. and to solicit their hearty cooperation in our efforts to reach our aims.
 The first aim of instruction Is to assist pupils in acquiring a com mand of the elements of language and the ability to use properly our national speech in business and so- cail affairs. This Is distinctly the prevocational and vocational phase of the subject; bread and butter English. if you please. Especially during the first and second years of the high school are these essentially | mechanical features of our language emphasized. Three recitations out Of five during each week are given to | this practical work, and for this pur pose an admirably adapted textbook has been introduced. which promises to be of real assistance to our teach
 CTS and pupils The character of the | instruction in this part of the course l is indicated by a few of the aims" ! for first year pupils, for example: write a legible hand; use complete l sentence in oral and written work: l master the elements of sentence | structure: apply properly rules for | punctuation and capitalization; know how to use the library for class ref erence work and for individual read ing; use paragraphs of reasonable | development; spell words in ordinary business and social usage; write a l business letter in correct form; write creditable personal letter; stand
 before the class and deliver simple | talk, pronouncing correctly and enunciating clearly words of ordinary | usage.
 During the third and fourth years l less time is given to the mechanics | of writing, but in the study of ex- | position and essay writing in the | third year, and of augmentation and l parliamentary practice in the fourth year, ample opportunity Is furnished | for the improvement of the pupils
 written and spoken English. Occa-
 sional intensive drills in spelling and
 sentence structure are planned for
 both of these classes.
 One should not, in this connection, fail to mention the courses in busi-
 ness English, which are offered in
 the business department of the high
 school. The yare intensely practical,
 and the distinct vocational atmo-
 sphere produces an earnestness that
 is truly commendable.
 Every student in the junior college is required to study English compo-
 sition throughout the first year. Dur
 ing the first semester exposition is
 offered. while the second half year is
 occupied with the study of argu-
 mentation. These courses are con-
 ducted with special regard to the ap-
 plication of English to everyday life
 Current events magazines are being
 drawn upon for part of the materia
 upon which the oral and written ex-
 ercises of the students are based.