FRENCH AND GERMAN ASSISTANTS IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

(Circular to Training Centres and Secondary and Higher Grade Schools.)

C. 390.

SIR,

Scotch Education Department, 13th March, 1908.

The French and Prussian Governments have recently established a system under which a number of young teachers in Secondary Schools in England and Scotland may be attached for a year to certain Secondary Schools in their respective Countries. The authorities of the foreign Ministries of Public Instruction are most anxious to extend the scheme, and to find similar opportunities in suitable Training Centres, or in suitable Secondary or Higher Grade Schools in England and Scotland, for young graduates who will afterwards be employed in their own State Schools.

These Governments have approached the Scotch Education Department with a view to co-operation. In the opinion of the Department the proposal has much to recommend it, and, provided that proper care be exercised in the selection of the candidates and in the arrangements made for their work, it is thought that the presence of such teachers on the staff of a School might prove most useful.

In the majority of cases it will probably be found that the "Assistants" have too little pedagogical experience to be entrusted under unfamiliar conditions with the continuous instruction of a class of pupils, and so to take a share in the ordinary work of the school. Modern Language instruction to be effective is now seen to demand a greater degree of continuity in teaching than was at one time thought necessary. But the higher the efficiency of the regular staff, the greater the benefit likely to accrue from supplementing its efforts in special directions. And there are many ways in which such a young foreign teacher might give valuable help. If he possesses the necessary tact, he will be frequently consulted by his Scottish colleagues who are responsible for the regular instruction; for them he will be a ready work of reference and a court of appeal on points of disputed usage. His main usefulness will, however, lie in the direction of immediate contact with the pupils in order to develop their power of conversation. In the ordinary class work conversation must always remain a means rather than an end in itself. From this point of view little advantage would be derived from the substitution of a young foreigner for the

experienced native teacher, nor would the foreign Governments concerned consider the conditions as satisfactory where a definite share in such instruction was assigned to the assistant. This arrangement would not only impose on him a very considerable amount of preparation and curtail too largely his own opportunities for study, but it would also divert his energies from their proper sphere-viz., the development of the conversational powers of the boys.

Instead, he should be employed to conduct small "conversation groups" of five or six pupils. Attendance at these exercises should be quite voluntary and might be regarded as a privilege, and in some measure as a reward for good progress in the ordinary class work. In these groups the work should be made as little formal as possible. It should be constantly borne in mind that it is not intended to convey to the pupils fresh knowledge, nor even, primarily, to practise them in that which they have already acquired. The chief object is to induce them to talk rapidly, on subjects within their grasp, in a manner which is not possible in the class-room.

Not more than two hours' work a day is to be demanded of such assistants. The rest of their time should be at their own disposal. They may be encouraged to take part in the games and sports of the schools, if they show any readiness or aptitude in this direction; but such participation should not be expected of them. With regard to their own reading, they should feel at liberty constantly to consult the Headmaster or any member of the staff who may be recommended to them for this purpose; and care should be taken to point out to them all educational facilities (such as lectures at Universities and elsewhere) which are likely to prove useful.

Though these assistants are not members of the staff, their services will necessitate some remuneration. In Boarding Schools. it might be possible to make arrangements whereby they should be boarded and lodged in one of the boarding houses. In the great majority of Scottish Schools, however, such an arrangement is not practicable. In Day Schools it would be necessary to offer sufficient salary (say from £60-75) to cover the cost of board and lodging.

It is clearly understood that these assistants would be liable to dismissal on the same terms as the ordinary members of the staff, though it is hoped that the power would not be exercised. with these teachers-whose appointment is only for a year, at any rate during the initial stages of this experiment, except in cases of grave breach of the rules or comity of the school, and that Managers would be prepared in such cases to make a report upon the matter to the Department for transmission to the foreign Ministry concerned.

It will greatly assist the ultimate success and spread of a movement which it is believed may be of great value for the

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teaching of Modern Languages in all three countries, if Managers who are willing to make this experiment in a sympathetic spirit will submit a frank report at the close of the year upon the results that have been obtained, dealing with the difficulties that have occurred and with the conditions that should in their opinion be fulfilled if the best use is to be made of these assistants. These reports would, of course, be treated as strictly confidential by the Department and by the foreign Ministry of Public Instruction concerned.

As will be gathered from the foregoing remarks, the employment of men students in schools for boys is chiefly contemplated, but similar benefits might be expected to follow from the employment of women in the same capacity in girls', or even in mixed schools, and applications for the services of duly qualified women will also be received and transmitted abroad.

It should be added that, in the case of Secondary Schools, the Department will be prepared to recognise the salaries paid to such assistants as an object to which grants received from the Department may be applied in terms of Article 17 of the Regulations as to Grants to Secondary Schools.

Managers of Training Centres, or of Secondary or Higher Grade Schools, who desire to avail themselves of the services of French or German speaking assistants in the manner indicated above, during the session commencing next autumn, are requested to communicate with the Secretary, Scotch Education Department, Dover House, Whitehall, London, S.W., informing him of the number of assistants required, and of the remuneration which it is proposed to offer. it is important that all applications for the ensuing session should be received at an early date, if possible, not later than May 15th.

I have, etc.,

J. STRUTHERS.

Sir,

SCOTTISH ASSISTANTS IN FRENCH AND
PRUSSIAN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

(Circular to Training Centres and others).

Scotch Education Department,

C. 391.

13th March, 1908.

The French and Prussian Governments have recently initiated schemes under which a number of young teachers in Scottish Secondary Schools may be employed in Secondary Schools in France or Prussia for the space of one year as temporary assistants.

Though not taking any part in the regular instruction of the pupils, such assistants will be regarded in all other respects as the colleagues of the regular teaching staff. As a rule they will receive free board and lodging at the institution to which they are attached, or where this is not possible, an allowance sufficient to enable them to provide for themselves.

Their main duty will be to conduct small conversation. groups of five or six pupils. This work is to be made as little formal as possible. It should be constantly borne in mind that it is not intended to convey to the pupils fresh knowledge, nor even, primarily, to practise them in that which they have already acquired. The chief object is to induce them to talk rapidly on subjects within their grasp in a manner which is not possible in the class-room. The assistant should himself possess a good English accent, free from peculiarities, and he should take special care to secure proper intonation of the sentence from his pupils.

Occasionally the Scottish assistant may be asked by the teacher of English to give lessons of pronunciation to his class. Much of his usefulness will depend upon his relations with the class teacher to whom he may probably find opportunities of making tactful suggestions with reference to the pupils who have come under his notice.

The assistants will have no supervision duty, though they may be encouraged to direct the games of some of the boys and teach them the English terminology. But this is always to be considered as voluntary, and is not an essential feature of the scheme.

Outside the stated hours of work (about two hours daily) the assistant is left perfectly free, and he will have ample. opportunity for pursuing his own studies in French or German. The Headmaster of the School is instructed to give every possible assistance in this direction,

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Candidates for such posts should preferably be graduates of some British University. The employment of men students in schools for boys is chiefly contemplated, but applications from duly qualified women for posts in girls' schools will also be received and transmitted abroad.

Répétiteurs and Répétitrices in French Training Colleges.

In addition to the posts referred to above there are a limited number of somewhat similar appointments as répétiteurs and répétitrices in French Training Colleges. The duties attached to these posts are practically identical with those already described, and free board and lodging are provided.

Whilst these appointments are specially suitable for those who have completed two years of training at Scottish Training Centres or Colleges and who desire to take a third year of training abroad, they are also open to other candidates qualified by their attainments to discharge the duties required.

Instructions to Applicants.

The normal duration of these appointments is for a complete school session, i.e., from October to July. Applications for engagements of a shorter period cannot, as a rule, be entertained.

Applications for the post of Assistant in a Secondary School (French or Prussian) must reach the Department not later than the 30th April preceding the session for which the candidate desires to be employed. For the post of Répétiteur or Répétitrice in a French Training College they must be forwarded not later than the 31st March.

Applications should be addressed to the Secretary, Scotch Education Department, Dover House, Whitehall, London, S.W., and should make it clear whether it is the position of Assistant in a Secondary School (French or Prussian) or that of Répétiteur or Répétitrice in a French Training College that is desired, or whether either class of appointment would be accepted. Testimonials and certificates should not be forwarded until the candidate has received from the Department a form which will be issued on receipt of the first application.

Before they are finally selected for recommendation to the French or Prussian Government, candidates will, as a rule, be required to have an interview with a interview with a duly accredited representative of the Department.

I have, etc.,

J. STRUTHERS.