Objectives in Teaching Foreign Languages to the Fascist Youth

Abstract

W E OFTEN are told that the knowledge of foreign languages diminishes the danger of war in creating a deeper understanding for other nations. The European example is a clear proof of the fact that the mere knowledge of or two or more foreign languages did not at all contribute to the achievement of our common purpose and common hope: the creation of a peaceful atmosphere between the different nations. I am speaking here about the language situation in those countries with which I am most familiar, namely about Germany and Italy, and it may be said parenthetically that the situation in France, Belgium, Spain, and Greece is not so much different.1 In high school at least modern language was offered, in most of the schools two, and even in the classical schools which laid greatest emphasis upon Latin and Greek, French was taught for seven years and the opportunity of studying English for four years was given. On the other hand it is a well known fact that high schools in the United States do not stress a thorough study of modern foreign languages, a fact frankly admitted by those who are critical of the present language situation in this country. Even if we allege for a moment that not a single American knows no single word of a foreign language, we could legitimately not contend that the mind of this one language nation is less peaceful than that of the Europeans. The political events of the last thirty years offer sufficient proof for this fact. However, it is evident that nobody who is interested in Europe and its future would venture to draw the opposite conclusion, that, on account of the unsatisfying results in Europe, the teaching of foreign languages should be abolished. On the contrary, if we believe in the possibility of creating a better world, if we believe in reconstruction, foreign languages shall contribute to this goal and shall serve as an efficient instrument to create a basis on which the different nations may live and work and compete peacefully together. The allied and the friendly nations in Europe will in a comparatively short time rebuild their educational systems. The disastrous influence of the German and the Italian oppressor on their educational systems will soon disappear, and these nations will enjoy a real renaissance and their common endeavor will bring their traditional culture and civilization to a new height. The question arises, what shall happen with the dictatorial