Monticello College - Echo Yearbook (Godfrey, IL)

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anauu Barbara Skybold French, German, and Spanish Ph.D., University of Wurzburg; Sraduatc study, University of lunich, the Sorbonne In the past few years there has been a considerable increase in the foreign language enrollment of our schools and colleges. The war, the radio, and improved means of transportation arc three important factors responsible for this increased interest. The plea of the late President of the United States for hemisphere solidarity, the realization that if we are to become cordial friends with our Spanish-speaking neighbors to the south and our Frcnch-English-spcaking neighbors to the north, we must know something of their language and their customs, the purely commercial value of a knowledge of Spanish at a time of great trade expansion with South America, the possibility of United States bases in South America, the attitude of our government, especially that of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, which advises that everyone who can should acquire a knowledge of Spanish, the suggestion of the United States Army that all army pilots be able to speak and understand Spanish -all of these factors, a direct outgrowth of the war, have had a marked influence upon the increased interest in languages. Each of the factors mentioned places a premium upon the ability to use and understand the spoken, rather than the written, word. Obviously, if one can speak a foreign language, he will find no difficulty in reading it, but one may have an excellent reading knowledge yet be unable to comprehend, and still further, be unable to express himself. It is impossible, educators have claimed, to teach students a speaking knowledge of a foreign language in three hours a week, nine months a year! Perhaps! But men have spent much of their time during the past fifty years changing the im- Paul John Cooki-: Spanish B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Illinois

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Die j£il retry Moncicelio students make the library as much a part of their life on campus as the Cabin. Although the demand for required reading is heavy, it is at lease equalled bv the demand for other types of books. Orlin C. Spicer Librarian B.A., Whitworth College; M.A., Gonzaga University; B.S., in L.S., Peabody College The Monticello College Library is situated in the octagonal building which, until two years ago, was the Reid Memorial Chapel. The Praise Angel window and the carved beams that made the chapel beautiful give dignity to the room which has been described as the quietest place on the campus.” Also included in the library equipment is a smaller periodical room across the hall from the main library. The plan of operating with a minimum of supervision from the staff members has met with success. The stacks are open so that the students may browse and enjoy the books to a maximum degree. Students arc encouraged to learn the use of the card catalog and book bibliographies. A self-charging system works effectively, allowing students to check out books with a minimum of red tape. This system helps to make the students capable of independent work in the use of the library. Although the Monticello library does not yet have a collection of books peculiar to itself, the art, English, and foreign language divisions are particularly well developed for a library of this size. It is evident, furthermore, that no section is particularly undernourished. Some 23,000 volumes, over 1000 of which arc recent acquisitions, arc housed in the library. Several outstanding standard books on costume and foreign languages have been added this year, as well as many current publications. Nina Kaciiur Spicer Assistant Librarian B.D., Oshkosh State Teachers College; Certificate in Library Science, University of Wisconsin Katiii.ef.n B. Maddox Library B.A., Ohio State University

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X cincjucicjes .» i Kathleen Dbxter Assistant Director of the Preparatory Division Latin B.A., Obcrlin College- possible into the commonplace, and, in the field of languages, Moncicello is trying to follow in their footsteps. Monticcllo's answer to the present problem of the impossible is the Language Lounge. These two words, taken separately, describe the dual purpose of this room. It is a place dedicated to the study of foreign languages— and the conditions of study arc completely in- Pauline Tewksbury Assistant in Residence Spanish B.A., Grinncll College; M. A., Columbia University formal. The room is equipped with easy chairs, a divan, pictures, posters, bulletin board, card table, radio and phonograph. Available, also, for use in the room is a recorder by means of which records may Ik- made of the students’ voices; this is a valuable aid in the detection and correction of errors in pronunication and intonation.