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taken as a whole, cannot be regarded as satisfactory, for out of the 36 boys only 14 were able to reach the very moderate standard required for a pass. It must be admitted, however, that there was a very remarkable difference in the quality of the papers, taking into consideration the fact that the boys have all had the same opportunities for study. The best papers reached a very high level and the leading boys, if able to manipulate a typewriter, ought soon to qualify, if their ambition lie in that direction, for some remunerative positions in commercial houses. On the other hand the papers handed in by some of the 'failures' were unusually bad and show a woeful ignorance of ordinary English words and very little knowledge of the elementary rules of Shorthand.
During the last four months of the year more time has been given to the subject, and fair progress has been made. The Examiner reports:-"The progress has been slow but, in my opinion, it has been sufficient to justify the belief that the boys will derive practical advantage from their studies in the future."
The weakness lies, not in the knowledge of Shorthand, but in the lack of knowledge of English, and here again not in English Composition but in the limited vocabulary of the pupils. "Many mistakes are made which an English boy, with half the knowledge of Shorthand, would avoid. Where Shorthand outlines are alike, it is difficult for the Chinese to judge from the context which is the right word to use. It is useless to expect rapid progress in Shorthand unless the student has a comprehensive grasp of the English language."
17
The remedy lies in increased attention to English "Reading (prepared authors) where the pupil has above all things the opportunity of increasing his vocabulary. It has already been pointed out that this subject is very weak and its weakness has a direct effect upon the Shorthand results.
Mathematics. Mathematical subjects throughout the Upper School are generally very satisfactory.
Lower School.-In the Lower School Algebra and Geometry were as last year extremely unsatisfactory; the pupils obviously do not understand the latter subject. Both subjects were discontinued in Class 5 last year, and after the Annual Examination in July last were dropped entirely in Classes 5 and 4. The time so gained will be spent to much greater advantage on the study of the English language.
Geography is weak throughout except in Class 4A. Map Drawing, however, is very good in every Class.
There is an improvement in Dictation.
Arithmetic is, as last year, very unsatisfactory, though the work done in this Subject is certainly neater than last year, especially in Class 6.
Writing, except in a few individual cases in each Class, is poor and calls for attention.
In connection with the Lower School I would draw attention to
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taken as a whole, cannot be regarded as satisfactory, for out of the 36 boys only 14 were able to reach the very moderate standard re- quired for a pass. It must be admitted, however, that there was a very remarkable difference in the quality of the papers, taking into consideration the fact that the boys have all had the same oppor- tunities for study. The best papers reached a very high level and the leading boys, if able to manipulate a typewriter, ought soon to qualify, if their ambition lie in that direction, for some remunera- tive positions in commercial houses. On the other hand the papers handed in by some of the 'failures' were unusually bad and show a woeful ignorance of ordinary English words and very little know- ledge of the elementary rules of Shorthand."
During the last four months of the year more time has been given to the subject, and fair progress has been made. The Ex- aminer reports:-"The progress has been slow but, in my opinion, it has been sufficient to justify the belief that the boys will derive practical advantage from their studies in the future."
The weakness lies, not in the knowledge of Shorthand, but in the lack of knowledge of English, and here again not in English Composition but in the limited vocabulary of the pupils. "Many mistakes are made which an English boy, with half the knowledge of Shorthand, would avoid. Where Shorthand outlines are alike, it is difficult for the Chinese to judge from the context which is the right word to use. It is useless to expect rapid progress in Short- hand unless the student has a comprehensive grasp of the English language."
17
The remedy lies in increased attention to English "Reading (prepared authors) where the pupil has above all things the oppor- tunity of increasing his vocabulary. It has already been pointed out that this subject is very weak and its weakness has a direct effect upon the Shorthand results.
Mathematics.Mathematical subjects throughout the Upper School are generally very satisfactory.
Lower School.-In the Lower School Algebra and Geometry were as last year extremely unsatisfactory; the pupils obviously do not understand the latter subject. Both subjects were discontinued in Class 5 last year, and after the Annual Examination in July last were dropped entirely in Classes 5 and 4. The time so gained will be spent to much greater advantage on the study of the English language.
Geography is weak throughout except in Class 4A. Map Draw- ing, however, is very good in every Class.
There is an improvement in Dictation.
Arithmetic is, as last year, very unsatisfactory, though the work done in this Subject is certainly neater than last year, especially in Class 6.
Writing, except in a few individual cases in each Class, is poor and calls for attention.
In connection with the Lower School I would draw attention to
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