BRITAIN’S TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 16

BRITAIN’S TRADE.

PROBLEM OF TONGUES. MORE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED, A powerful appeal to the nation to . old . somewhat apathetic attitude towards the study of languages js made by the-Committee on Educationtor Salesmanship, m their second interim report (says the Daily Telegraph). The committee has returned to the sub- • ject of Britain s inferiority as linguists as compared with . foreign nations* and the handicap which this imposes in commerce, ■ stated first report the committee , “In almost all markets it is a dam-' and .often a fatal handicap if representatives, whether principals or subordinates, cannot converse freely with ■ the customer in his own language as well .as read his newspapers and trade journals, and perhaps an equal handicap if correspondence from headquarters is not conducted in that language. Our export —“ owe^?r> 16 °tten so handicapped." The committee have now before them the results of an inquiry which at their request Lord Eustace Percy, then president of the Board of Education, directed to be made into the teaching of modern languages in other countries. The countnes reported upon are Denmark. Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany In the countries.visited it was found that boys and girls entering commercial 1 employment at 16 would probably have received instruction in two foreign languages sufficiently," for practical purposes in connection with their occupations, immediately or after comparatively little further practice. The provision of full-time education up to the age of 18 or 19, with, a de- • liberate- outlook on a commercial career, was a marked feature of the systems investigated. The provision of libraries was often on very generous and very in- , tellipent lines.' , “It is sometimes said that the Englishman is naturally a bad linguist," - states the report. " This we believe to be entirely untrue. It is true, however, that he is very often self-conscious and has a dread of making a fool of himself in a language which he has never been effectively taught to think in, and therefore to speak with ease. “He knows enough to, realise his deficiencies, with the anomalous result that be is usually most diffident in using French, the language in which he has re- ' ceived instruction for the longest time. “Moreover, it has to be remembered that foreign customers' are often proud of their knowledge of English, and glad of the opportunity to practise it on an Englishman, a fact which lessens his chances of becoming fluent in their language.” The committee express the belief that the main causes of the higher, status of modern languages, in the countries visited was to, be found in the-keen appreciation of their intrinsic value. Modern languages are, in a word; regarded not only as'having high practical value, but also as effective instruments of education in the broadest sense. Public opinion—that is to say. the opinion of the parent, the pupil, and industrial and commercial interests—is unanimous on this point; that a higher standard of practical attainment is looked for and secured, and that some expertness in foreign languages is the mark of an educated person' and useful member of the community. “ For our particular purpose it is very evident that the progressive business man regards the matter ,as one, of immediate concern from the point of view of his own trade, and that of the country as a whole." The committee, which is presided over bv Sir Francis Goodenough, and consists of the representatives of the principal industries of the country, will in fl ue course make its recommendations. Meantime in, the first and second reports (the latter is on sale) educational administrators and teachers have before them the Jesuits of the committee’s inquiries.