Putnam patriot., 1922-11-17
HOW CITY TEACHES
 ENGLISH TO ALIENS
Patriot Reporter Observes Eve. ming Schools Unique Meth
 cd of Giving Instruction
In Six Lessons Most of Pupils Acquire
 More Than so Word.

On invitation from Principal Lewis ! Rattey. a Patriot reporter last Mon day was initiated into the mysteries of evening school work. Al the high school building he found four teach CTS giving instruction tvgronps of pu- pils of various degrees of attainment and differing aims. Some were learn ing to run the typewriter, others were studying arithmetic. and still others were being taught the difficulties of the English language.
 l. was in the work of the two rooms given over to teaching the English language that the reporter was most interested, for here the instruction was of somewhat unusual nature.
 Foreign Born Learn English
 The room set apart for foreign born adults who are just beginning to study our language is in charge of Miss Ruth Elliott of Grosvenordale. Here were l5 men and women. some of whom could speak English but had nc command of the printed or written word others who did not know 3 word of English but were well edu- eated in one or more of the languages of Europe: and still others who could speak their own language but did not know q word of English nor a letter in any tongue. A one woman express ed it. "I don't even know my big let. ters.. And one man sad. Before l came to school did not know the first letter of my name ;
 Instruct Group as Whole
 Instruction was given to the whole group at once. and only English was used The teacher explained that speaking comes first, then writing and reading Consequently not much reading was done from the book. though pupils read from the hoard.
 The lesson was the development of theme made up of seven sentences and was called. T get Il drink "
 These themes are drawn largely from Il textbook published by the | :. Department of Labor
 Near the teachers desk stood q la hle. upon which were glass and pitcher containing some water fhe taaeber. holding up ibe pitcher which was Of glass, called attention to three words, water" 'in," and pitcher and said.
 I. aWatef s in the pitcher
 This sentence was repeated by vari- eus members of the class and by the group. The teacher wrote the sen tence upon the board. and had the class, as individuals and as grouH read it. Then came the naming of the different letters in each word.
 Taught Seven Sentences
 The same course was followed until the pupils were taught,
 take Che pitcher.
 g. | take the glass.
 1 pour water into the glass.
 D. set the pitcher on the table.
 6. drink the water.
 z. l set the glass OH the table.
 Now came the writing period. when each pupil was given a sheet of paper and told to copy the theme from the board. The teacher passing among the group. gave individual instruction in formation of letters and punctuation 10 such as needed it.
 Teach By Use of Chart
 Later came reviews from chart containing all the words thus far learned. The teacher also had the words written and printed on cards. These she rapidly displayed to the school, pupils naming the words as shown. In six lessons two-thirds of the pupils had each acquired over 50 words.
 The phonie drill and reading of common signs might be described, but the reporter had another room to wis. it. And bidding the pupils Good Night" he received in return a ehor- us of Good Night, Sir"
 Next week we shall describe the work of q more advanced group