Monticello College - Echo Yearbook (Godfrey, IL)

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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.

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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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(ddnc Hidh and Speech 'peed Notluy S. Maddox, Chairman Director, Tests and Measurements University of Illinois; B.S., M.A., Ph.D., Ohio State University “But I can't think of a single idea for a theme. “I'm putting as much character as I can into this dead-body role, Mrs. Wenzel. “Do you understand the difference between Pope’s and Wordsworth’s concepts of Nature? Do these remarks remind you of days in English and drama classes? Monticcllo's Department of English and Speech has a widespread influence; everyone is exposed to English, and we all are familiar with work of the drama division. In English we read, we think, we write. When we come to college, our thoughts, intentions, and wishes arc likely to be confused, without any pattern. Through reading and discussions we arc helped to reason and think clearly. Critical guidance of our writing offers the very necessary training and practice in giving order and meaning to our thoughts. The second-year course is a survey of English literature from Beowulf to the present. Among the benefits which the department hopes to give each student arc a voracious appetite for reading, a competence in recognizing good literature, and a development of personal tastes and preferences which lead to special love for authors and works that widen intellectual horizons and deepen emotional responses. An interesting joint enterprise of the departments of English and history is a course called American Culture and Civilization. This offers American students extraordinary opportunities for intimate acquaintance with their country's contributions in literature, art, music, science, politics, religion, business, and other important fields. Each year the drama division selects plays illustrative of fantasy, modern realism, and historical influence. The stu-