Proposed Changes in the Teaching of French
Date
1948
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Abstract
I) A first-year course should be taught dealing primarily
with French composition and idiomatic expression. II) For second and possibly third year students a course in translation might be offered, dealing with the problem of transferring
concepts from one language into another. III) It might b e advisable to have another first-year course in French, conforming even closer than the present to the structure of Basic Language and Literature. IV) I don't believe that there is a place in the Bennington curriculum for the ASTP "language and area" type of instruction. Prospective majors in fields other than literature-- social sciences, art, etc.-- should be provided with specialized types
of language instruction suited to their needs. VI) Oral mastery of a foreign language is very desirable but should not be made the hub of our language program.