EXCHANGE OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH TEACHING.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")
Siz,—A fortnight ago a letter appeared in the Times describing a plan whereby the parents of pupils (odious word) in French and English secondary schools can arrange an exchange of their children for the holidays. It is greatly to be hoped that the letter attracted the attention the scheme deserves. The English child goes to France, the French child comes here. Each parent holds a hostage (and so a guarantee for the welfare of his own child) in the person of his foreign visitor. The scheme was started two years ago by Professor Desclos, of the Office National des Universitos et Ecoles Francaises, 96 Boulevard Respell, Paris, and there has been time to realize the value of the idea. Excellent reports have been received from parents and heads of schools of its practical working. Not infrequently friend- ships have been formed leading to regular correspondence between French and English homes; that is all to the good, more especially in these days when it seems the fate of Europe may depend upon a good understanding between the two nations.
Reports show two rather curious facts. First, that French visitors take themselves more seriously than our visitors to France; they work harder at the language than our own children, and are less inclined to devote themselves merely to having a good time. The second point is that there are more offers in France than there are from our own side—yet we pride ourselves on our national taste for travel and adventure, and incline to think of French people as those who can only, be -happy within sight of their own boulevards or caf4s. Possibly there may be a hesitation just now on the part of English parents to send their childen to France for fear that political differences between the two Governments might blight the cordiality with which they would wish their child to be received. The writer is just back from two months spent in France, and he was struck, when visiting old acquaintances in different parts of the country, by the universal good will towards England as a nation. True, there were criticisms of political methods and aims, but the root feeling was one of cordiality, springing from a deep realization of the need each country has of the other and the necessity that an impregnable understanding should be built up between the two nations. Parents need have no fear that their children would not be hospitably received. Professor Desclos will gladly answer all questions in detail addressed to him, and will see that any lays or girls going to France are placed in homes there corre- sponding as nearly as possible to their own in England. Finally, the only expense incurred by a parent is the cost of the journey out and home of his own child. His visitor costs him no more than his own child would have cost had there been no exchange.
—I am, Sir, &c., MARK COLLET. St. Clere, Kemsing, Sevenoaks.
[We hope that many people will try the scheme We can guarantee from personal experience that Sir Mark Collet is right about the feelings of the mass of French people. France and Britain are necessary to each other, and the more political differences there are the greater is the need of private under- standing.—En. Spectator.]
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