THE TEACHING OF FRENCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 16

THE TEACHING OF FRENCH.

Sir, —As a French and Italian teaclici; with years of experience I read with groat interest, tho article by "Cairngorm ". J was a teacher of French for a time m a school in Halv, had to teach it in thu primers, my pupils being from six to nino years of age. 1 taught French, following exactly the scheme proposed by "Cairngorm." Jt was. indeed, very difficult tu attract the little pupils' attention for moro than a few minutes at a time. Children learn easily a foreign language it left free to learn it without btiv effort, not if bound to sit and listen for moro than a few minutes at a time to tho sound of strange words or sentences, which repetition becomos tedious and monotonous. Tho lessons should l>o short, interesting, amusing, no moro than ten minutes nt a time and very gradually lengthened. Tho study of foreign languages has many, advantages and is ono <f the most interesting undertakings. Each language learnt makes it easy to learn the next. Children learn them more easily than grown-ups, but also forget them as easily as they have learnt them. My own son learned Tongau in no time, could speak it better than English, but a fewmonths after wo left Nukualofa for Auckland he had completely forgotten Tongan, while after years away from Italy or Franco I can speak and remember both languages. I learned French when .1 could study it and compare it witli my. own language, and could still read it when I had no opportunities to speak it. A child has 110 real foundations. He moro or less learns unconsciously and so soon forgets. Anna Palazzi.