GERMAN BOYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17802, 29 August 1929, Page 10

GERMAN BOYS.

IN ENGLISH SCHOOL. EXPERIMENT AT CHATHAM. (From a Correspondent). LONDON, June 16. Realising the value of the "direct method"—which attempts to set the learner at once in the atmosphere of the foreign language he is learning, and tries to make Inin think in the new language from the very start—two teachers, Dr. Ernst Schutte, of the Realschule-Altstadt, Bremen, and Mr George MeWilii'e, M.A., B.Sc. (Econ.), of the Chatham Junior Technical School, decided early this year to effect an exchange of pupils. Permission was readily given by the respective authorities. Dr. Schutte was to bring to England his highest class in English—all hoys between 15 and 16 years of age—and these were for a period of three weeks to live in English houses and to 'take part in the ordinary curriculum of the Chatham School, including the sports. Mr McWiiiie was likewise to bring over to the Bremen School a similar party of boys who have been learning German. These, 100, were to live in houses in Bremen and attend the Bremen School. To ensure a more certain measure of success, the two sols of boys were invited to correspond by letters. In this way they got to know each other, and each boy began to form some idea ol' tiie home lie would be coming to.

- At the present moment the experiment is being carried out. The Bremen boys arrived at Dover on Sunday, June 2, where they were met by the Chatham teacher. Dover Castle and Pharos were visited before the party entrained for Chatham. At the station the German boys were promptly -joined by their English comrades, who on 'their way to their respective houses manfully shouldered tiie luggage. Co-operating in Experiment. On the Monday lessons began in earnest. Previously, the headmaster, Mr Keen, M.A., had arranged that one form should he divided into two and into each half were put nine of the eighteen German boys. The headmaster and stall' of the school have all generously showed themselves willing 'to co-operate in the experiment, even where it has meant that they work extra time. The Bremen boys were given note-books l'of use in the various lessons, and homework has already been asked of them also. Sight-seeing, of course, has not been neglected, but will be strictly subordinate to 'the main purpose.

A week has passed since the arrival of the boys, and thus they have had a full round of the curriculum. Each master has testified to tiie rapidity with which the hoys have understood their lessons. Their ability to read English and their good grounding in mathematics were specially praised. Apart from school, where they are undoubtedly making progress, these German lads are learning much about English customs in the home, about our way of looking at life, about our town life, etc. They are perfecting not only their English, but they are learning .what England is. Their sludies in English can no longer he merely bookish ones. English to them is henceforth a living tongue and England a place peopled with real human beings. And when they return with the Chatham boys to Bremen on June 21 'they will certainly take with them pleasant and lasting memories.