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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Sept. 30, 1969
Language Studies Increase
WASHINGTON — (UPI) — The demand 'that foreign languages be an integral part of the public educational system is on the increase.
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At present, in most high schools foreign language study is an "elective" — the student is allowed a choice of whether to take a foreign language.
IN PAST YEARS the only language study available to students has been at the high school level. But due to the increased international activity of Americans, many educators now insist that language study begin — for every student — at the elementary school level when the child is between 7 and 10 years old
The National Education Association Journal in its September issue said that, "coupled with this interest is the belief that it is easier to learn languages before adolescence than afterwards."
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"THE ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL years have considerable potential for shaping attitudes toward other peoples. Experiences with older cultures, including their languages, are therefore a valid part of the elementary program," the NEA publication added.
However, the journal said that a foreign language program is not justified in the elementary school if it encroaches on the need of the school to provide adequate instruction in the basic courses of the English language, mathematics, and science.
THIS IS THE argument generally used against the teaching of other languages beginning in the elementary school. One U.S. educator, Jacob Ornstein, the author of several books on the subject of language, said in "The American Scholar"
early this year that it must be through the schools that the situation be corrected.
"It would require the introduction of a modern language in the elementary school and its continuation for from six to ten years — through high school and part of college ... there is nothing visionary about such an objective when one considers that many small and less prosperous nations succeed in equipping their young people with not one but several languages," Ornstein said.
ORNSTEIN ALSO called for the abolition of old-fashioned teaching methods, to be replaced with audiovisual devices in language laboratories.
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Such laboratories now are being introduced into many American high schools, colleges and universities. They usually consist of individual tape recorders, microphones and booths to enable the student to practice both speaking and listening comprehension of the language.
Many educators say that more students, teachers and employers are being made aware of the fact that the knowledge of foreign languages is a necessity, thus creating a demand for language instruction.
IN ADDITION, they point out that many Americans have found through personal contact abroad that it is an embarrassment to be unable to converse in a language other than English, especially when many persons in other countries can speak English as well as their mother tongue.
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An indication of the increased demand is that 16.5 per cent of all public high school students now
elect to take foreign language instruction, compared with 13.7 per cent a decade ago. Many of these students take the instruction, officials said, to fulfill requirements for college entrance and to get a "head start" on collegiate foreign language requirements.
--with
GREGORY PECK
DEBORAH KERR
IN ORDER TO facilitate this instruction, the National Defense Education act of 1958, makes available $887 million for a four-year program in the development of science; mathematics and language training.
In addition, at several conferences recently national leaders in many fields have sought solutions to the problem of language deficiency.
Blair Art Show In Kansas Union
An exhibit of 19 paintings by American artist Streeter Blair will be featured by the Student Union Activities in the Forum Room of the Kansas Union Oct. 3-19.
Interested students are invited to attend an informal coffee, Thursday, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to ask questions about the exhibit.
"We expect this showing to be one of the better examples of contemporary art," commented Jean Challinor, Kansas City, Mo., senior, and chairman of Arts and Exhibits for the SUA.
Mr. Blair, a native Kansan and graduate of the University of Kansas, has had one-man shows in art galleries in both the United States and Europe during recent years. The William Rockhill Nelson Gallery in Kansas City houses one of his permanent collections.
WHAT A CAST!..
FRANK SINATRA
DEAN
MARTIN
SAMMY DAVIS, JR.
ANGIE DICKINSON
PETER
LAWFORD
CESAR
ROMERO
WHAT GLAMOUR! . . .
Like spending a week in fabulous Las Vegas!
It takes you to five of the world famous night spots on the "Strip" — You'll see all five gala floor shows . . . on New Year's Eve! It's in Technicolor, Too!
WHAT A MOVIE!... "OCEAN'S 11"
Never anything like it for down-right entertainment!
It's the story of the night that Danny Ocean and his 11
pals blew all the lights in Las Vegas! . . . and made
off with 10 million!
Starts Saturday
Mat. Sat., 2 p.m. — Cont. Sun. From 1:30
Ends Tonite
"FROM THE TERRACE"
Read and Use Kansan Classifieds
TONITE & SATURDAY
"REBEL SET"
and
"SPEED CRAZY"
STARTS
SUNDAY!
"BELOVED
INFIDEL"
plus
with
SHIRLEY MacCLAINE
DEAN MARTIN
"CAREER"
FRI. - SAT. - SUN.
PLUS CO-PEATURE
STARTS SUNDAY!
Continuous Sunday From 1:30
Tonite and Saturday "House of Usher"