INTRODUCTION

THE Advanced Series of Practical English for New Americans follows the Beginners' and Intermediate Series in a logical sequence of thought, purpose, and educational development.

The aims of the preceding books have been kept in mind in planning and evolving the subject matter of the third and last book of the series. In like manner the bases of many of the fundamentals in good and intelligent citizenship were introduced and developed in the first and second books, to an extent consistent with the educational status of the pupil.

The Advanced Series is broad in scope, and includes many subjects vital in nature and importance. A definite effort has been made to treat each problem in a manner commensurate with its real significance in the great scheme of American life, and with the pupil's ability to understand it.

At this stage of the pupil's educational development he has attained considerable knowledge of the English language, so that while he is obtaining practice in reading he may have presented to him in a practical and interesting way many of the topics and problems which concern not only him and his neighbor, but the nation as a whole.

It is only by the intelligent treatment and solution of these and other questions that the safety of American democracy can endure. And in this solution the foreign-born citizen or potential citizen must unite with the native-born American in a whole-hearted and intelligent way.

America differs in many and important ways from the land

V

of the pupil's birth. Its community life, its government, its ideals, its citizenship, its opportunity for education, its position, its history, its customs, and its commercial, agricultural, and industrial life, all differ. Yet to understand and appreciate America it is necessary to know it from each of these various viewpoints.

Again, our country is so large that the pupil is apt never to become personally acquainted with its different parts. But in order that he may have an ever widening conception of American life and affairs, he must be taught to look at the country sympathetically and intelligently as a whole rather than locally. He must realize its opportunities and its possibilities, and his share in them.

To bring these and other equally important factors before him, a study of America is made, a study sufficiently extensive that the alien may become an intelligent and appreciative citizen. This study is based upon the author's experience in personal contact, extending over a period of fifteen years, with the group for which it is intended, the following considerations having been constantly kept in mind:

1. The pupil's education, and other needs as illustrated in everyday life.

2. His conceptions and misconceptions of the civil, social, and industrial life of America.

3. His natural heritage and racial background as determined by historical and geographical limitations.

4. His social and educational attainments and shortcomings. The Advanced Series is composed of nine parts, each of which will be briefly described. The subject matter is divided into lessons, which are carefully planned, well balanced, comprehensive, and correlated. No lesson is presented which has not been tested, corrected, and amended in the light of actual classroom practice. They are the product of the personal experience of the author in close association with the alien in community life, and as a teacher, supervisor, and director of Americaniza

tion in evening schools, and in factory, neighborhood, club, hospital, church, home, and social center classes.

Many of the more practical lessons are based on the author's experience in daily contact with the immigrant and his problems, while Director of Americanization in one of the largest industries in the United States.

PART I CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP

Civics and Citizenship in the community sets forth the contrast between the life of Americans one hundred and fifty years ago, and the life of Americans to-day. The interdependence of one man upon another, and of each community, town, city, or state upon others is brought out. The pupil is given a knowledge of the rights, duties, and privileges of citizenship, and of the civic, social, and industrial relations of the community in which he lives.

His responsibilities as a member of that community are also emphasized. It is safe to say that a practical knowledge and appreciation of these phases of community life will insure better coöperation, better citizenship, and better Americanism.

PART II-TRAINING FOR CITIZENSHIP

Civic Training for Citizenship treats of the government of the town, city, county, state, and nation. The lessons are so constructed as to present to the pupil the essentials in the organization and administration of the various branches of government, and to enable him to appreciate the advantages of a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

The alien's duties, privileges, and responsibilities under this form of government are brought out, the purpose being to inculcate the principles of good and intelligent citizenship while giving the pupil a comprehensive knowledge of our laws and government, rather than merely to acquaint him with the facts. pertaining to the machinery by which these laws are made.

PART III-HOW TO BECOME A CITIZEN

Part III consists of lessons simply and clearly stated indicating and describing the steps in naturalization as determined by the Federal Board of Labor. The aim is to set forth the naturalization procedure as concisely and accurately as possible, in order that the questions which naturally arise in the minds of the pupils who desire to become American citizens may be answered.

A study of the new law which applies to the citizenship of married women, and a solution of many of the problems which perplex teacher and pupil of citizenship, are included in the text.

The subject matter was examined in detail as to accuracy and completeness by Mr. James Farrell, Chief Naturalization Examiner, New England Division, Federal Bureau of Naturalization, to whom the author is indebted for many helpful and practical suggestions.

PART IV OUR COUNTRY

In Part IV the pupil becomes acquainted with the great size of America, its varied climate, its population, its wealth, its products, its resources, and its opportunities.

Much of the subject matter is taught by the comparison of the known with the unknown, our size, wealth, products, and resources being compared with those of the various countries of Europe with which the alien is already familiar. By this graphic representation the pupil receives a lasting and vivid impression of the great and wonderful country in which he now lives.

Emphasis is laid on the part the American people have taken in making America one of the richest, best, and most wonderful countries in the world. The pupil has also set before him the fact that this new and wonderful country is as yet unfinished, that it is still in the making, and that he and all others here are needed to build it up.