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Author(s) -
Breazeale Elizabeth
Publication year - 1937
Publication title -
the modern language journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.486
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1540-4781
pISSN - 0026-7902
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4781.1937.tb03809.x
Subject(s) - subject (documents) , foreign language , simple (philosophy) , subject matter , state (computer science) , mathematics education , psychology , pedagogy , sociology , epistemology , computer science , philosophy , curriculum , world wide web , algorithm
Author's Summary— Too many intelligent children are among the failures and near‐failures in foreign language classes. After long acceptance of this state of affairs as one of the mysteries of education, the writer suddenly realized that the lack on her part had been in not giving the subject proper motivation. If it is motivation which is widely needed, we should take heart, for the remedy is one which is easy to apply. It is only a matter of giving the beginner reasons for the study of a modern language which he can understand and believe, and of arming him with effective arguments against the attacks which are sure to come from elders in his world outside of school. A simple, straightforward sales talk without any Santa Claus promises should help create a wholesome working attitude on the part of all students capable of such an attitude. The one below, which the writer gives to her students in mimeographed form the first week, is offered to other teachers as a suggestion. Although it is for students of French, it could be used with few adaptations for students of other foreign languages.