How to Teach and Learn Modern Languages Successfully. ily Francis
Lichtenberger. (Newman and Co.)—There is something to
be learnt from this book, which contains the observations and ex- periences of a practised teacher, who has been accustomed to think about his work. Mr. Lichtenberger deals chiefly with the question of learning French. He has come to a conclusion, which is quite borne out by the present writer's experience, that this language is best taught by an Englishman to English boys. We speak of the average of cases. There are exceptions. The late Mr. Delille was one ; and some might be named among living teachers. But the average French teacher is not so efficient as an Englishman. We do not always agree with Mr. Lichtenberger's views. He has, for in- stance, a quite unintelligible prejudice against the use of French poetry by teachers. But boys, as far as they can be said to like any of the books which they read in class, certainly like poetry better than prose. Few teachers but have had this experience in teaching classics. Why should it be different with French ?
Previous page
