SPECIAL TRAINING FOR TEACHERS.
(TO THE EDITOR ON THE SPECTATOR.")
is probable that there are a good many English people -who still hold that there is no such thing as a theory of educa- tion, and that it is impossible to supply a course of scientific • training specially fitted to prepare the teacher for his work, corresponding to that which the lawyer and medical man 'undergo. Those who think thus, would do well to watch at- tentively the efforts which are now being undertaken with the view of subjecting teachers to a rigorous University discipline. It is, no doubt, known to most of your readers that the Uni- versity of Cambridge some little time since instituted an Examination for Teachers in the theory and practice of educa- tion, and that the University of London has just decided to 'follow its example. It may not be so well known that a very 'Serious effort is being made to provide one sex with the 'instruction required for the Cambridge Examination. The Teachers' Training and Registration Society offer, at their 'Colleges, Skinner Street, Bishopsgate, lectures on the theoretic basis of education, including psychology and physiology, on the methods of education, and what is very important, provide in a • school attached to the College exercises in the carrying-out of the 'methods. The success of this venture is already in a measure as- sured, by the fact that out of twenty-four candidates who wont in for the Cambridge Examination last year, seventeen passed ; and still more, by the fact that the students of the College are in great 'demand at the High Schools. So far as I am aware, no such 'complete course of training in the art of education is anywhere :supplied with a view to make teachers of a similar grade, and this fact gives a further significance to the undertaking. If a teacher is the better for scientific study, the Training College is likely to be a fruitful agency in furthering the higher education 'of women. In every way, then, the institution is a noteworthy one, and deserves to be more widely known. A special reason for advocating its claims just now, is the desire of its friends and supporters to enlarge it, so as to make it self-supporting. They are confident that when the character of the work done at the College, and its results, are more widely known, this end will be gained. I may add, that the premises at present occupied are temporary ones, kindly placed at the disposal of the Society by Mr. Rogers, Rector of Bishopsgate. The growth of the College will involve an emergence out of its obscure locality, a result which its friends are not likely to regret. Any further information respecting the College may be obtained from the Secretary, Mies Brough, 1 Queen Street, Brompton Road, S.W. —I am, Sir, Are.,
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