This beginning period is all important, for " Well begun is half done." If therefore good pronunciation, absolutely correct grammar and sentence-structures are carefully taught, not a little later on but from the very beginning, there will be no need later to impose numerous corrective and remedial exercises.
If absolutely correct language is insisted on from the beginning, then firm habits of correct language usage will be established, and there will be no need to disturb the foundation later by corrections and alter-actions.
The subsequent gain will be considerable, for progress will continue smoothly from the first, and there will be no setbacks or halts. It is far easier to teach new material than to eradicate old faults. And having to unlearn bad pronounciations and other incorrect usage is troublesome and regarding, Even to the best pupils.
And it is more difficult to learn correct usage when incorrect forms and structure has been aquired, than to Learn the correct usage at the start. Therefore it is vitally necessary for language learners to work at correct pronounciation, grammar and structure at the very beginning of learning a new language. It is fatal to defer insistence on correctness ' until the pupils are older,' for then the damages will have been done.
It would be excellent if beginners were taught only by the best teachers would find it a much pleasanter task than they now suppose it to be, for young pupils beginning to learn a new language are always keen to work and are willing to carry out the numerous repetitions that are necessary for them.
And they are always ready to strive intently for perfection, if their teacher insist on their trying to achieve it. But it is often not easy to arrange for the best teacher to take the beginner, though sometimes it might be possible for him to take the beginners and the top form, rather than the two top forms.
Perhaps the best way out of the difficulty would be for some of the keener teachers who have a gift for teaching languages to specialize in this important work, and to receive recognition as specialists, with financial benefits attached.
