Young Australian’s Speech

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 8

Young Australian’s Speech

KING GEORGE V. AS MODEL King George V. will be the model taken by the Education Department in its determined effort, commencing this month, to improve the speech of young schoolchildren. “His speech was that of an educat- | ed gentleman. It was not Oxford, or 8.8. C. English, or exaggerated Australian,” said a high Education Depart ment officer recently. Greater emphasis to speech training is one of the most important features of the new primary school syllabus which will bo introduced when 300,000 primary schoolchildren re-assemble in the State's schools, this year. The syllabus sets out as its aim “purity of speech, correct pronunciation, clear enunciation, easy and natural articulation.” It declares that “correct and pleasing speech is not only a big factor in success in life, ,but is also a most essential characteristic of the well educated man or woman.” Greater emphasis is also given to reading in the new syllabus, in which tho course in English remains the central core. Walt Disney’s “Mickey Mouse” and “Donald Duck” figure among the very large list of books suggested for read ing. In addition to old favourites appear Australians lon L. Jdriess and Alan Villierß. The syllabus declares “it cannot be

too strongly emphasised that the main | objective in reading in the primary school is the cultivation of habits of. real enjoyment of books.” Another feature of the new syllabus is the grouping together of allied sub jects. “Social Studies” i 3 a new course, consisting of history, geography, civics •ind Scripture. Here the emphasis is on the development of attitude rather than on the acquirement of factual knowledge. Arts and Crafts are linked together and the new mathematics course emphasises the practical nature of the subject.. The music syllabus emphasises the principle that music must be a happy subject. The course in health and physical education has been developed along modern lines, “Tho changes made are not merely changes in subject matter. The grea' change lie 3 in the new orientation of the instruction and the emphasis placed upon the child’s participation in his own education,” said an officer | of the department. “Emphasis is placed on subject methods and the training of the child in tho use of works of reference. We will teach th”) child to teach himself.”