National Survey of Secondary Education. Bulletin, 1932, No. 17. Monograph No. 24: Instruction in Foreign Languages

Office of Education, United States Department of the Interior.

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Educational History; Course Content; Curriculum Guides; Questionnaires; Second Languages; Latin; Language Tests; College Entrance Examinations; High Stakes Tests; Modern Language Curriculum; Modern Languages; Second Language Instruction; National Surveys; School Statistics; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; High Schools; School Visitation; Course Descriptions; Teaching Methods; Curriculum Research; Educational Objectives; Educational Trends; Curriculum Development; Secondary School Curriculum; Educational Policy; Urban Schools; Public Schools; Course Organization; Courses; Class Organization; Reports

The handling of this survey was intrusted to Dr. Leonard V. Koos, of the University of Chicago. With great skill he has, working on a full-time basis during his free quarters from the University of Chicago and part time during other quarters, brought it to a conclusion. This manuscript was prepared by Helen M. Eddy, associate professor of romance languages in the University of Iowa. She obtained 207 courses in foreign language all, dating since the appearance of the Classical Report in 1924. These show the effects of the Classical Report on the study of Latin, and to a lesser extent of the Modern Foreign Language Study on the other foreign languages. Doctor Eddy also visited 263 classes, of which 82 were in Latin or in general language and 181 in modern foreign language. Usually the work in the language field was in some confusion due to the efforts of teachers to put into effect the recommendations of these two great surveys. In some instances the chief concern was to get classes ready for college-entrance examinations or for the New York Regents examinations. Latin courses were, however, usually being made to conform to the Classical Report. Less emphasis was given to grammar in the first year and less stress placed upon reading of classical authors in the later years. In the modern foreign languages much more attention is now given to reading the language. Exercises needed for writing it and practice in speaking the foreign tongue are both subordinated to the reading aim. Courses in general language offered to junior high school pupils were found in 16 States. Twenty-three States had no such courses and 10 States did not reply to the questionnaire. This monograph contains the following chapters: (1) Modern foreign languages; (2) Latin; and (3) Foreign language in the junior high school. Individual chapters contain footnotes. [Best copy available has been provided.]

ERIC

2013

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