This was a step forward and a better way, because of its greater system; but, though the method proved useful, it was not found easier or more agreeable than the old one.
Famous men have studied and learned languages in both of these ways; but they were men who, on account of their great abilities, would have acquired the knowledge in any other way: many less gifted have also learned languages in these ways; but with what sacrifice of time and strength; what labors they had to endure, and how many of them have had to give up the study!
Must these hardships necessarily be connected with the study of languages? Is there no way to reach the same or even better results, with less difficulty;—are there no means to open education to a still greater circle, indeed to open it to all, to make a common road smooth, easy and agreeable?
The cordial reception given by educators of the best class to my "Studien und Plaudereien," (first series), has led me, in connection with my brother Mr. Menco Stern, to write a second series "Studien und Plaudereien" (im Vaterland).
I earnestly hope this second series may prove as practically useful as the first.
In response to the many inquiries I have received concerning the method of conducting my classes, I will say that
1) I prepare every lesson with the utmost care, taking "Studien und Plaudereien" as basis and guide, at the same time endeavoring to make them as interesting as possible.
2) I have arranged all the important rules of the German grammar so as to teach them from the very first in a certain number of lessons, orally, and give the students a printed German grammar afterward, to review and to perfect their grammatical knowledge; they are thus made to understand, value and even enjoy the study of grammar.
3) In teaching, I make my students understand, speak, read and write, but do not exercise any one faculty or function at the expense of any other.
4) My teaching is always full of life and animation; we do not confine ourselves to books; all there is in this world worth being thought of or spoken about, all that is great, good and beautiful, we draw into the circle of our studies.