Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1889, By Robert W. Waterman, Ira G. Hoitt, Charles H. Allen, Ira More, and Of the State of California, for the People of the State of California. PREFACE. Oral Language Lessons.-The study of Language by means of conversational lessons should be the first school work. Through this, the teacher gains the children's love and confidence, as well as a knowledge of individuals which nothing else gives. The little ones are at first timid. Talk with them, not to them, about the interesting things of home life with which they are familiar. Their toys, their pets, and their games can at first be taken, the teacher by her enthusiasm and interest encouraging the timid, and winning the hearts of the unruly. Do not attempt to impart knowledge, but simply have the children tell what they already know. Remember that your first work is to lead them to talk FREELY and FLUENTLY. To accomplish this, do not criticise errors of speech, or confuse them by interrupting or demanding complete sentences. Occasionally restate pleasantly and unobtrusively, in correct language, what has not been well stated. The chief reason why children are so universally reticent in expressing their thoughts at school, is because accuracy has been made to precede fluency, and the fear of not saying things in the right way keeps the child from saying them in any way. Tact and a clear appreciation of the main object to be attained will make this work not only invaluable as language teaching, but an auxiliary to all other teaching and training. |