Milford chronicle., 1952-03-07
M N.& - gus
The Guidance Corner

With this article the MHS News
initiates new feature which con-
cerPs itself with providing needed
adyice concerning student prob
lens. 1t is hoped that the follow
ing article will be of value to
those students who are at the
place in their high school career
where they must make the choice
as to whether the study of fore
ign language is advisable or not.
The following is quoted from
bulletin of the University of Wis
cOnsin entitled. The Study of
Foreign Languages Today.
Whether they intend to go to
college or not, high school students
should study foreign languages be-
cause:
/. High school students so edu-
Gated will be better prepared for
citizenship in the leading nations in
the world today.
2. The study of a foreign Ian
guage gives students a better un-
derstanding of their own language.
3. The study of a foreign Ian
guage is interesting for its own
sake"
students who plan to go to col
lege have additional reasons for
studying foreign languages in high
school:
/. There are distinct advantages
in starting the study of foreign
oh,
2. Foreign languages are ac-
cepted for entrance credit ct all
colleges and are required at some.
8. Foreign languages are re-
quired in many college courses.
4. All candidates for the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy are requir-
ed in most institutions to have a
reading knowledge of two foreign
languages. Graduate students who
have neglected the study of foreign
languages in high school and in
their undergraduate college work
often find their professional train
ing seriously hampered by the
necessity of taking time out to
learn foreign languages.
5. The study of one or more
foreign languages can prepare
gifted students for a career in
teaching.
6. Ability to read and speak a
foreign language is necessary to
obtain a scholarship to study
abroad.
z. knowledge of foreign Ian
guages over and above require
ments is a valuable asset for pre-
pairing for careers in many fields
e. g., commercial. education, en-
gineering, law, medical, argicul-
ture, journalism, economics, etc
In connection with the first Tea-
son for the advisability of the
study of foreign languages which
is given above the viewpoint eX-
pressed by Mr. Earl J. McGrath
United States Commissioner oi
Education. in a speech at Talla-
hassee, Florida. in November. 1850,
seems especially pertinent:
without developing the subject
fully I should like to consider in
struction in foreign language as
an element in general education
It has been my view that valuable
as the study of foreign tongues
might be, for other purposes. i
was not an essential element in {
general education program for al
college youth. In tie light of Ou
changing position in the interna
tional scene, and as a result o
further reflection on the matter,
am inclined to the view that un
less a student shows a marked lacl
of aptitude in the study of a fore
ign language he ought to gain a
least an elementary knowledge O
one language other than his Owl
as part of his general studies. Il
some instances this language uni
could be made a part of an are
studies program, but in any even
instruction in the more common
modern languages can be prOvideI
without hardship by almost all Ou
institutions of higher education
In many instances this require
ment could already have been sat
isfied by courses available in tn
high school years to those expect
ing to go to college. We shall b
better able as a people to play Ou
part intelligently on the interna
tiOnal stage when more of US knOV
something of the languages an
the cultures of other lands. An
another purpose of general educa
tiOn will indirectly be achieved"
There is much more salient in
formation available along this line
Those desirOus of such may secur
II nv contracting the Mis- Naws