schools.
"It is admitted that those who begin German in the high school, after the second
year, can keep up with and do as good work in the same classes as those who
have had eight years of German in the primary and grammar grades and two
years in the high schools."
The form of argument that once was valid for including German in the
elementary course of study may now be valid for Polish, Hungarian, Bohemian
and Italian, for the children of the first generation of these nationalities. Properly
done, it is a means of preventing the children's drifting from the parental
moorings. After the first generation, it would not be needed.
It is impossible, in the limited space at our disposal, to discuss comprehensively
so complicated a topic as foreign languages in the high school. One group of
educators sturdily defends the traditional classical course, with its great
emphasis on Greek and Latin, while another group as urgently insists that if any
foreign languages are taught, they must be the modern ones. These opposing
schools of thought are profoundly sincere in their conflicting beliefs. Each side
is absolutely certain that it is right and is unalterably of the opinion that there is
no other side of the question to be even so much as considered. Anything that
agrees with its own side is based on reason; anything opposed is but ignorant
prejudice. Under the circumstances the disinterested outsider may well suspect
that where there is so much sincerity and conviction, there must be much truth
on both sides. And undoubtedly this is the case.
Latin is a living language in our country in that it provides half of our
vocabulary. Pupils who would know English well should have a good
knowledge of this living Latin. If the Latinists would shift their ground to this
living Latin and provide means of teaching it fully and effectively for modern
purposes, it is possible that the opposing schools of thought might here find
common ground upon which all could stand with some degree of comfort and
toleration. When Latin study of the character here suggested is devised, it ought
to be opened up to the students of all courses as an elective, so that it could be
taken by all who wish a full appreciation and understanding of their semi-Latin
mother tongue. Such a study ought to be required of the clerical students of the
High School of Commerce. In the meantime, however, all will have to wait until
the Latinists have provided the plans and the materials.