In the course of training in the art and practice of teaching, I only attended the catechetical classes of Professor Or Falmer, and finally passed a special examination by teaching a class of boys in the presence of the examiners. During two successive winter terms, I placed myself under the training of the headmaster of a large Elementary school, and daily taught under his immediate supervision and criticism classes in various subjects.
In the ministry of the State Church of Wurttemberg in 1860 and 1861, I had professionally to give all the religious instruction in two large village schools. When I came to China in 1862, I acted first as Assistant and then as Headmaster of a regular training school for native teachers. Thus, for 3½ years, I was constantly teaching classes both in Chinese (Hakka) and in German.
From the close of the year 1862 to the present day, I have constantly been occupied with the organisation, supervision, and examination of schools for Chinese children. I have had, for the last thirty years, more daily intercourse with teachers and scholars than with any other class of people. I speak, therefore, not as a theorist but as a teacher to teachers.
In connection with this particular school (Victoria College) since 1878, I have had to do as an official. I examined the papers of the boys and heard them...