THE ENGLISH JOURNAL THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL EDITORIAL BOARD JAMES FLEMING HOSIC, Managing Editor FRANKLIN T. BAKER, Columbia University EDWIN M. HOPKINS, University of Kansas EDWIN L. MILLER, Northwestern High School, ELMER W. SMITH, Colgate University. Representing the National Council of Teachers of English FRED NEWTON SCOTT, University of Michigan VOLUME III JANUARY-DECEMBER 1914 THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS Published January, February, March, April, May, June, September, Composed and Printed By The last quarter of a century has seen a remarkable increase of interest in the teaching of English. From a lowly position, perhaps the lowest, in the school curriculum, it has risen to a high, perhaps the highest, position. If it is less well paid than it should be, at least its value and importance are appreciated. It has enlisted the services of able thinkers and writers. It is perhaps the most popular subject in the educational magazines. It has been made the theme of many books. A number of societies, of which the National Council is, I hope, a shining example, have been founded for the sole purpose of promoting the teaching of English, and all of these societies are in a flourishing condition. The methods of teaching have been carefully scrutinized by experts and the improvements that have been suggested and put into effect have increased the interest of the pupils and reduced the waste of energy on the part of the teacher. In short, the teaching of English has for the first time in its history been organized and put on a basis of efficiency. Nevertheless, in spite of this advance in both the theory and practice of the teaching of English, there is a suspicion in many quarters that the results are not commensurate with the effort. I do not refer now to the recent article of Mr. Edward Bok, Presidential address delivered before the National Council of Teachers of English at the annual meeting in Chicago, November 28, 1913. I 274961 |