LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Examinations in Reading German and in Reading French have-long been notorious as among the most difficult in college to pass. The reasons generally accepted have been either that the examinations are themselves too hard, or that the instruction of men taking them, especially that received in such college courses as German A, 1a, 1b, 1c, and the corresponding French courses, is deficient. Statistics regarding a recent Reading German examination, compiled by a member of the German Department, are evidence that neither of these beliefs is correct. Out of thirty-eight men who took the examination, only fourteen passed; all fourteen were qualified by their work in the courses which now satisfy the requirement in Reading German, to expect a passing mark. Of the remainder, not more than two had done in courses work of such quality that they might have expected to pass a Reading examination of the present type. In other words, the examination was adjusted almost perfectly to the courses, and the large number who failed were simply taking a long chance on passing something for which they were not prepared.

This vindicates the teaching ability of instructors in the courses mentioned, and the accuracy of the examinations as a gauge of what is learned in those courses; it also points to the weakness of the present language requirements, which cause "reading knowledge" to be interpreted as the result of two years of passing work in a language in college, in courses which are necessarily elementary and non-cultural, and generally boring. As long as preparatory schools fail to cover the ground of elementary lingual preparation, and as long as the College retains its demand for "reading knowledge" of this sort, elementary language courses will continue to eat into student time. Alteration in the two conditions must go hand in hand, but the College has the power to take the first step by making its entrance language requirements rigid, and by changing the emphasis in College requirements from linguistic to literary.