A PRACTICAL COURSE OF LANGUAGE LESSONS AND ELEMENTARY GRAMMAR. BY ALBERT N. RAUB, A. M., PH. D., PRESIDENT OF DELAWARE COLLEGE, NEWARK, DELAWARE, AND AUTHOR OF "RAUB'S READERS," PREFACE. IN the preparation of this book the author has kept steadily in view the fact that the principles underlying and regulating the use of the English language are best taught by an inductive process. Too many attempts have been made in the past to teach the science of grammar to those unprepared for it. This method of teaching, too, has been mainly deductive, and therefore contrary to the law of mental development. This will, in a great measure, account for the failures of the past, and, consequently, for much of the opposition to the study of grammar in our schools. The teaching of language should not differ essentially from the teaching of any other branch of study; the first steps, therefore, should be synthetic, and it has been the aim to construct this book on that idea. The design is to teach first the idea, then the name, and lastly the definition. Following the definition, or general principle, is its application to the words of the language. In this work no effort has been made to teach the general principles of grammar. On the contrary, only the simplest and most necessary principles are discussed and illustrated. The grading of the book is such as to make it not only attractive to the pupil, but also easy to teach. Numerous exercises follow every principle-not for the purpose of illustration alone, but that the pupil may make an application of his newly-acquired knowledge, and thus by practice become thoroughly acquainted with every principle learned. The system of diagramming, or written analysis, which ought to commend itself for its simplicity, is the same as that used in the author's Practical English Grammar. It will be found, on trial, to require much less time than is usually given to other systems of written analysis, and for blackboard work it will prove to be a valuable aid and save a great amount of labor. For practical purposes many pupils will never need to study beyond what is contained in this book, and to those desirous of pursuing a more advanced course this elementary work will prove of value in giving the necessary preparation for a fuller study of English grammar as a science. The plan of teaching the use of English entirely by the deductive method, and the theory that grammar, because heretofore improperly taught, should be ignored and condemned, are equally extreme and equally absurd. In the preparation of this book the author has tried to avoid both extremes, and he hopes that the unbiased. judgment of practical teachers may commend and in dorse his efforts. ALBERT N. RAUB, TO TEACHERS. SEVERAL important objects are to be secured in the teaching of English. First among these is the ability to speak the language correctly. Children learn largely by imitation; it is therefore of great importance that the teacher mould his own language after the best models. It is equally important, however, that the children, in their conversation with one another, in their compositions, and in their class recitations, use none but correct language. To this end the teacher should cultivate a spirit of generous criticism. Errors of speech on the playground and in the schoolroom should be kindly criticised, either at the time or in the language class. This criticism will tend to make all more observant and more cautious in their use of language. It is wonderful with what keenness pupils will watch for the mistakes of others, and with what care they will guard their own use of language, with training of this kind under the guidance of a judicious teacher. A second object to be secured is that of preparation for the study of grammar as a science. To this end it is advised that great pains be taken to have the pupils understand thoroughly each of the ideas presented. The teacher should illustrate fully; he should also see that the pupil is capable of illustrating every principle. Teachers, give plenty of practice with exercises. If the number of those in the book is deemed insufficient, add others, either original or selected. |