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Simplified English.
4.
In almost every country in the world there is a continually
It is already increasing number of students of the English language. the predominating tongue, and from present indications we may assume that it is likely to become the universal language of international intercourse. It is the language of the Government of more than
600,000,000 persons.
English is not an easy language to learn, and its difficult- ies subject it to much misuse and to misconceptions as to the meaning
of many of its words a.id phrases.
To simplify and to make it easier
to learn many systems have been devised by enthusiasts and experts. One of these systems, Basic English, has been widely adopted; but Basic English has not been free from criticism.
Some authorities
have praised it highly; others have hotly condemned it.
In order to arrive at some definite conclusion on the matter,
Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, has appointed a committee
The relative merits of
of experts to examine methods of teaching simplified nglish to
persons who do not seak the language. various methods now available will be assessed by the committee and
recommendations will be made.
Such recommendations will be extremely useful to the British Council, the semi-official organisation concerned with establishing Among its other activities cultural contacts with other countries. the British Council has helped to establish British institutes abroad. Such an institute recently founced in Athens was originally planned to accommodate 400 students. On the opening day it was besieged by
and enlargement was 8,000 students lamouring for admission;
arranged. In Bucharest the British institute has 2,000 students. And as all these students are keen to master the English language, a Simplified system of teaching will be invaluable, both to the Council
and to the students themselves.