Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1958-08-07
In Our Schools
More language
Emphasis Urged
By Betty Miller
staff Reporter

Reporter
Public school systems should begin teaching
foreign languages in the elementary grades,
u s. Office of Education report said last week
The report contains the proceedings of a con-
ference called by the u. S. Commissioner of Edu
cation to consider how modern foreign language
programs in schools may be redesigned to serve
the national need.
Educators government and business rep
resentatives gathered in Washington from May
8 to 10 to explore the needs, status, Objec-
tives and methods of improvement in the
teaching of foreign languages in the second
airy schools
Foreign languages are a subtle and basic
instrument in the cold war; and speaking is
more important than writing" the conclu.
sion voiced by top Foreign Service Institute
Officer
The proposal was made for daily 15mn
ute period of language instruction in grades
to 6; 40 to 45minute period three times week
in grades and 8 for those who elect and are
advised to continue; 45 minute period daily in
grades and 10; and 45-minute period three
times week in grades II and II"
Montgomery County is making progress in
the directions UNDERSIGNED by the U. S. Depart
ment of Education.
twenty-five elementary schools and approx
lildtSIy oUU youngsters participated III hlc L la
sponsored Foreign Languages in Elementary
Schools program in which they studied French
or Spanish after school two days week last year.
According to Mrs John Sherman, FILES chair
man, at least dozen other schools have in
dicated definite interest in starting a FILES pro-
gram this year.
A coordinator to work with these groups
toward the study of foreign languages in the
junior high schools was included in the last
budget. In accord with one of the conference
conclusions: too many teachers lack speaking
competency in the language which they attempt
to teach" School Superintendent Whittier reported
to a recent Board meeting that he is having diff
ficulties in finding competent coordinator.
The person most recently considered was
dropped because her French Canadian accent
was not considered adequate.
The designation of new secondary super
visor a Special Supervisor for Foreign Lam
gauges is expected soon.
All secondary schools in the county offer a
choice of one or more of French, Spanish and
Latin. At Bethesda Chevy Chase high school 81
pupils have signed up for the German course to
be started there this fall.
The conference noted "the restriction of Ian
guage offerings almost completely to Spanish and
French and a scattering of other west European
languages is unrealstic"
The Office of Education says I'm addition to
present offerings, we should consider the de-
velopment of programs in Russian and other
major languages of the non-Western world
Foreign language laboratories where students
cut their own tapes and analyze their accents
are conducted at Bethesda Chevy Chase, Walter
johnson and Wheaton high schools
The conference stated: use of foreign Ian
guage laboratories for listening comprehension
and oral practice is promising trend"
The conference declared that Language
courses are too short for substantial accomplish
ment In the county, two years of foreign
language is the full requirement for an academic
diploma.
The conference report concluded obviously
there is new interest in the place of language
in our national life. We have recognized the
need of language learning with an emphasis on
hearing and speaking for the purpose of direct
communication. But how do we translate needs
national needs and personal needs - into ac
ton? Does our educational system have the flex-
Utility necessary to meet these needs without
corresponding loss of other educational values?"
The answer for Montgomery County comes
from the new assistant superintendent DR.. John
A. Permenter:
I'VE do have the flexibty if the public I'M
derstands and cooperates with us. You don't
make basic changes rapidly. Getting the teach
ers who are properly qualified and have the right
accent is harder than getting scientists, but we
are making progress
"In the long run we have all the ingredients
necessary right here in this county to work toward
the end expressed by the United States Commits
soner of Education"