SPEECH TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 117, 20 May 1931, Page 17

SPEECH TRAINING

LITTLE ADVANCE MADE

CANDID CRITICISM

"'Speech training cannot be regarded as satisfactory," says the annual report oi' the inspectors to the Education Board, Wellington. "Lessons seldom show thoughtful preparation, or even appreciation of the value of I he subject, nor are steps takon to see that the principles enunciated in these lessons are constantly applied in all tho oral work of the class.

"Oral expression has not advanced to any appreciable degree. In only a few schools are consistent efforts made to induce the pupils to talk freely on any matter under discussion. The progress made in this respect in many infant departments is not continued iii the standard classes. Tbere appears too great a tondeney to get the pupils to write rather than to speak. Numerous methods of oral expression are still to bo exploited. Yet in life, for which education ought to prepare, clear and correct oral expression is demanded infinitely oftener than written expression. And there can be no doubt that progress in nearly every subject is griovously hampered by the inability or unwillingness of the pupils to discuss the subject matter with tho teacher. In fact, it may bo said that discussion as a factor in education hardly exists in our schools. Our system is still dominated and cursed by preparation for. a written examination which lies perhaps years ahead. Unfortunately, too, written work is easier to conduct and assess than oral work.

"Singing may be said to be slowly improving in tone. Systematic training in singing from notation is still lacking. We rarely see a good programme for this aspect of the subject, and still more rarely meet with a Form 11. that can sing a simple piece at sight. In large schools it is under the control of too many different teachers; there is insufficient continuity of effort and aim. There is very seldom any attempt to develop talent to the highest. A school choir is a rare exception, though a most appreciable;- step forward was made this year."