Learning To Read A Foreign Language

LEARNING TO READ A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY BY MICHAEL WEST, M. A READER IN EDUCATION, DACCA UNIVERSITY WITH DIAGRAMS LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO., LTD. 39, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E. G. 4 NEW YORK, TORONTO BOMBAY, CALCUTTA AND MADRAS 1926 Made in Gr at Britain All nghts reserved Methods of teaching pupils to read languages accurately and rapidly should be developed and made the subject of experiment. Modern Studies, H. M. Report, 1918, page 215. PREFACE HT HIS book contains a brief and simple account of a series of experiments extending over four years in regard to the teaching of reading ability in a foreign language. A full account of these experi ments and of other related inquiries is contained in Bilingualism with special reference to Bengal, to be issued by the Bureau of Education of the Government of India 1926. The present book discusses those aspects of the work only which seem likely to be of general interest to teachers and learners of foreign languages in other countries. M. P. W. GREENHAYES ABINGDON BERKS vii CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGB I. THE NEED i II. READING ABILITY 8 III. THE FIRST EXPERIMENT - - - - 14 IV. THE CONSTRUCTION OF READING-BOOKS - 18 V. THE SECOND AND THIRD EXPERIMENTS - 34 VI. THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW READING BOOKS 45 ix ILLUSTRATIVE DIAGRAMS FIGURE PAGE I. THE NEED OF A BILINGUAL CHILD 5 II. THE IMPROVEMENT OF ENGLISH READING - 9 III. READING PROFILES -----12 IV. THE GAIN OF THE EXPERIMENTAL CLASSES 41