Carneiro Leão and the Reform of Foreign Languages in Brazil (1930-1934)

Jonathas De Paula Chaguri,Maria Cristina Gomes Machado

doi:10.1590/2175-623687897

Jonathas De Paula Chaguri, Maria Cristina Gomes Machado

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-623687897

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Abstract

Abstract: Carneiro Leão’s proposal for a reform in the teaching of foreign languagesat secondary school level, at the Colégio D. Pedro II, between 1930 and 1934, is analyzed. Results show that Carneiro Leão was in favor of a foreign language reform featuring an active and dynamic learning process within the context of engagement in the ideals of an active school. In fact, Carneiro Leão gave a new identity to the study of languages, ensuring a convincingly practical and useful teaching, without the disassociation of the characteristics of the Humanities for people who needed training for production means in the country’s commerce and industry.

Highlights

Antônio Arruda Carneiro Leão (1887-1966), known as Carneiro Leão, Brazilian teacher and scholar, is one of the most important and respected thinkers involved in educational and social debates during most of 20th century
Correspondence exchanges by students of French with French secondary school students; 6. the use of language laboratories; 7. the use of disks and the radio in the teaching of foreign languages; 8. preparation of didactic material that would comply with the aims of the new teaching; 9. the implantation of the direct method which provided the study of foreign languages to the curriculum of the secondary school (French, English and German) through a more practical and dynamic process in which the language is perceived as a living vehicle, with a priority on vocabulary and day to day issues in the development of the studentslinguistic education
There was a need for a linguistic education that would provide the study of foreign languages with a new and modern method capable of leading Brazilian students to “[...] speak and write, and culture” (Carneiro Leão, 1935, p. 18)

Summary

Introduction

Antônio Arruda Carneiro Leão (1887-1966), known as Carneiro Leão, Brazilian teacher and scholar, is one of the most important and respected thinkers involved in educational and social debates during most of 20th century. [...] The teaching of live foreign languages in the Colégio Dom Pedro II by the Direct Method, [...] lacks a working policy It was formulated by teachers Antenor Nascentes, Adriano Delpech, Delgado de Carvalho, Oswaldo Serpa, Julio Nogueira and Dr Antonio Carneiro Leão, headmaster in the teaching of French, and approved by the Ministry of Education and Public Health. The implantation of the direct method (new method) which provided the study of foreign languages to the curriculum of the secondary school (French, English and German) through a more practical and dynamic process in which the language is perceived as a living vehicle, with a priority on vocabulary and day to day issues in the development of the studentslinguistic education.

AIMS

Conclusion