be used. The memorization of these paradigms is by no means superfluous. It helps to make the pupil conscious of the value of speech forms and builds up a storehouse of forms which are dis pensable only when the foreign language shall have become almost a second mother tongue. The procedure with the present tense is typical. The essential thing is that the drill be concentrated on one point at a time anl held there till that point is mastered. Whatever value aimless couversation may have in later stages, it is certainly a waste of precious time in the elementary year. Oral drill, effective and logical though it be in language instruction, is very prone to lose its value almost entirely if the teacher be not continually on the alert and energetic enough to plan his work in advance. Grammar, then, in one form or another is the main task of the elementary year. It is the framework of language. This framework must be strong but should not for that reason be bulky. The amount of grammar taught in the elementary year must be limited, not because a knowledge of grammar is undesirable nor because grammar is necessarily uninteresting to the pupil, but simply because the pupil must have time to form grammatical habits and habit-formation is a slow process. We must present grammar in an orderly and systematic manner, because beginners in high school are old enough to profit by such a presentation. Anything less results in confusion and discouragement on the part of the learner. He feels "all at sea" in grammar, as he often says. Finally, success or failure depends upon drill, concentrated upon one point at a time, and made as varied and compelling as the ingenuity of the teacher can devise. Let no man think that in teaching an elementary class in Spanish he has an easy task before him nor one unworthy of lis best efforts in class and out. It is to be hoped that a point has been reached by modern-language teachers in this country where partisanship as regards methods may be laid aside. The tremendous responsibilities that rest upon teachers of Spanish in this country make it imperative that all problems be met with open minds and a readiness to seize upon all that is good no matter where found. WILLIAM A. BARLOW COMMERCIAL HIGH SCHOOL BROOKLYN, N. Y. THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING The The second annual meeting of the Association was held at Barnard College, New York City, on December 28, 1918. following program was presented to a large and enthusiastic gathering of teachers of Spanish who had come from all parts of the United States. MORNING SESSION 10:30 ¿Cómo podemos estrechar las relaciones entre los Estados Unidos y los países de habla española ?— SR., FRANCISCO J. YANES Subdirector de la Unión Panamericana de Washington Canción española— LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SAMUEL MONTANDÓN Spanish as a Key to Literary Riches in America DR. PETER H. GOLDSMITH Director of the Interamerican Division of the American Association for International Conciliation Canción española― SEÑORITA BEATRIZ YCAZA Spanish in the Curricula of the High Schools PROFESSOR JOHN D. FITZ-GERALD of the University of Illinois AFTERNOON SESSION 2:30 President's Address- MR. LAWRENCE A. WILKINS Canciones españolas: San Sereni, Una pastora, San Serenin- Report of Auditing Committee Hispania PROFESSOR AURELIO M. ESPINOSA of Leland Stanford Jr. University Canciones españolas: Noche serena, Himno de Cuba, Marcha Real- Report of Committee to Select Honorary Members PROFESSOR JOHN D. FITZ-GERALD, Chairman Report of Committee on Admissions and Correlations- The address of Sr. Yánes was most inspiring. Sr. Yánes had prepared an interesting and scholarly paper and it was delivered with a charm and eloquence which very few possess. It will be printed in the March number of HISPANIA. Dr. Goldsmith, the distinguished director of the Interamerican Division of the American Association for International Conciliation, presented in his usual able and forceful manner a few of the powerful reasons why Americans should study Spanish. He emphasized the cultural values of the literature of Spain and Spanish America, and ended his address with the reading of a sonnet by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the famous Mexican poetess, together with an English translation by the speaker himself. The important discussions of Professors Fitz-Gerald and Waxman will be published in forthcoming numbers of HISPANIA. The addresses of the President of the Association and of the Editor of HISPANIA, as well as the report of the Secretary-Treasurer, together with other reports, are printed in the present number. After the adoption of the reports of the several committees, the following items of new business were taken up: A motion was carried that the Editor of HISPANIA be authorized to publish two extra numbers of HISPANIA during the year 1919 in addition to those required by the constitution. It was voted that the President should appoint a committee to draw up a plan of campaign for higher salaries for teachers of Spanish. The emphasis of their argument should be placed on the greater expense to which language teachers are put in order to maintain efficiency by means of travel in Spanish-speaking countries. It was also voted that the President appoint a committee of five to consider how to bring about closer relations between schools and business houses who employ persons having a knowledge of Spanish. Both of these committees are to report in time to have the results of their labors published in the May number of HISPANIA. The following announcements were made by the President: The Associate Editors of HISPANIA, named by the Executive Council to serve for a period of three years, are Srta. Carolina Marcial Dorado, Bryn Mawr College; Professor Elijah C. Hills, Indiana University, and Professor George W. Umphrey (reappointed). The next annual meeting will probably be held either in Philadelphia or in Chicago. The Executive Council will determine this matter during the coming year. The standing committee named by the Executive Council to fill possible vacancies in the list of Honorary Members is: Professor J. D. Fitz-Gerald, Chairman; Professor C. C. Marden, Princeton Uni-vv versity; Professor Charles P. Wagner, University of Michigan; v Professor Caroline Bourland, Smith College; Dr. Homero Seris, vv University of Illinois; Mr. George W. H. Shield, Los Angeles; Miss Margaret Dowling, San Francisco; Mr. E. L. C. Morse, Chicago; Dr. Joseph S. Shefloe, Goucher College; Professor Clarence E. Parmenter, University of Chicago. The Committee on Nominations, to report November 1, 1919. in time for publication of nominations in December HISPANIA, is to be composed of Professor Arthur L. Owen, University of Kansas, Chairman; Srta. Carolina Marcial Dorado, Dr. Guillermo A. Sherwell; International High Commission, Professor E. C. Hills, Mr. J. J. Arnao, Central High School, Newark, N. J. Professor Federico de Onís announces that he has made arrangements with several publishers in Spain to have them represented in this country by Miss Harriet V. Wishnieff, 414 West 118th Street, New York City. Books from Spain will be carried in stock and orders will be filled promptly and payment thus may be easily and quickly made. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER Fellow Members of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish: Since the proceedings of the First Annual Meeting are known to you through the publication thereof in HISPANIA, I will not rehearse them here, but limit my report to events which have occurred during the year. The Association directed the secretary to send a telegram of greeting and gratitude to Mr. J. C. Cebrián of San Francisco and a letter of the same import to Mr. Archer M. Huntington of New York. Both of these gentlemen are Honorary Presidents of our Association and to them we owe a debt of gratitude for assisting us to found the Association. Mr. Cebrián replied by telegraph. But Mr. Huntington, being in Europe engaged in work connected with the war, did not receive the letter. The Secretary therefore took occasion last week to write Mr. Huntington a special invitation to attend this meeting and to reiterate the expression of gratitude which we feel toward him. Mr. Huntington replied as follows: "Dear Dr. Coester: "I am most appreciative of your letter and hasten to assure you that nothing could be more welcome to me than the knowledge that your organization, The American Association of Teachers of Spanish, ends the year upon a sound financial basis which assures the continuance of your admirable publication, HISPANIA. "It is obvious that such a publication, which in form, editorship and influence marks a step forward in the development of its field, has met with a well-deserved response to an altruistic endeavor of high order and, at the same time, I send you my hearty congratulations and best hopes for the future. "I regret very much that other engagements will make it impossible for me to be present at the annual meeting, which otherwise I should have greatly liked to attend. "Yours very sincerely, "ARCHER M. HUNTINGTON." |