The Rôle of Spanish and Teachers of Spanish in American Education

Abstract

Author's Summary— Discussion of (1) The Modern Language Teacher's need to formulate and define his aims; (2) certain errors and weaknesses of which we ourselves have been guilty, especially the limitation of objectives to “reading knowledge”; (3) the erroneous and unjust charges of our most bitter opponents and the educational deceptions and perversions involved in the substitutes with which modern languages have been replaced in our schools, especially the “Social Subjects”; (4) the superior social values inherent in the study of language and literature, with particular reference to Spanish.

Chapter VIII: Teaching the Romance Languages: French, Spanish, Italian

“…Kaulfers (83) argued that the acceptance of a basis of insights needed for "effective living in modern society and for the development of balanced personalities," in lieu of the traditional basis of form, would bring the language arts into line with the principles of educational unification. Rice (121) proposed integration with the work of other departments; Shoemaker (129) found superior social values inherent in the study of Spanish language and literature; Aldrich (2) thought that the value of language study in the liberal arts program was determined by its relation to the unifying principle (cf. 82) of the program, which he proceeded to define (with somewhat bewildering complexity) as the liberation of the mind from various and sundry bonds, including space, time, symbols, and self.…”

Teaching the Romance Languages: French, Spanish, Italian

“…Welles (156) appealed for more language study, outlining its service in foreign affairs and in broadening the international understanding of our citizens. Carter (24) Rice (121) proposed integration with the work of other departments; Shoemaker (129) found superior social values inherent in the study of Spanish language and literature; Aldrich (2) thought that the value of language study in the liberal arts program was determined by its relation to the unifying principle (cf. Pierson (118), as an officer of the Department of State, summarized the direct and indirect uses of foreign languages in and outside of the government, and provided a useful bibliography.…”