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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
One of the fundamental branches of learning is language study.
In all our schools special care should be taken to teach the students to
use the English language correctly in speaking, reading, and writing.
Too much cannot be said in regard to the importance of thoroughness
in these lines. One of the most essential qualifications of a teacher is
the ability to speak and read distinctly and forcibly. He who knows
how to use the English language fluently and correctly can exert a
far greater influence than one who is unable to express his thought
readily and clearly.
Voice culture should be taught in the reading class; and in other
classes the teacher should insist that the students speak distinctly and
use words which express their thoughts clearly and forcibly. Students
should be taught to use their abdominal muscles in breathing and
speaking. This will make the tones more full and clear.
Let the students be made to understand that God has given to
everyone a wonderful mechanism—the human body—which we
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are to use to glorify Him. The powers of the body are constantly
working in our behalf, and if we choose we may bring them under
control.
We may have knowledge, but unless the habit is acquired of
using the voice correctly, our work will be a failure. Unless we
can clothe our ideas in appropriate language, of what avail is our
education? Knowledge will be of little value to us unless we cultivate
the talent of speech; but it is a wonderful power when combined
with the ability to speak wise, helpful words, and to speak them in a
way that will command attention.
Let all guard against becoming annoyed in spirit because they
have to be drilled in these common branches. It should be impressed
upon students that they will themselves be educators of others, and
for this reason they should strive earnestly to improve.
To learn to tell convincingly and impressively that which one
knows is of especial value to those who desire to be workers in the
cause of God. The more expression we can put into the words of
truth, the more effective these words will be on those who hear.
A proper presentation of the Lord’s truth is worthy of our highest
effort.
Unless students who are preparing for work in the cause of God
are trained to speak in a clear, straightforward manner, they will