A
FIRST
SPANISH READER

WITH QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY

BY

ERWIN W. ROESSLER, PH.D.

CHAIRMAN OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
HIGH SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK, N.Y.

AND

ALFRED REMY, A.M.

HIGH SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK, N.Y.

Pen Drawings by CLARENCE ROWS

AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO

This Reader is the outgrowth of a desire fora textbook that combines simplicity with variety.To make it available for use almost atthe very beginning of the Spanish course onlythe present tense has been employed in the firsttwenty-three selections and difficult constructionshave been consistently avoided.

With one or two exceptions, many changeshave been made in the selections taken fromSpanish authors in order to adapt them to theneeds of the beginner. The greater part of thereading material, however, is either original oradapted from other languages. The questionsare intended to aid the pupil in the preparationof his lessons. Teachers may alter or amplifythese questions as they see fit.

Suggestions as to the method of treating thetext may seem impertinent to some. The authorshowever merely wish to suggest a methodwhich they have successfully employed:

I. Regular preparation of the advance lessonshould be made as follows:

a. Reading of the text by the teacher, a sentenceat a time. Each sentence to be translatedby a pupil after the new words have been explainedby the teacher, in Spanish if possible.

b. A second reading by the teacher, followedby chorus reading of the class.

II. At home the pupil should read the textaloud several times and copy the text once ortwice, then study it carefully.

III. In the recitation, translation should bereduced to a minimum, thus allowing a maximumof time for conversation based upon thetext. There should also be considerable blackboardwork consisting of the questions andanswers that were given orally. Repetition ofanswers by the entire class as well as chorusreading are also profitable. After the readingselection has been thoroughly mastered, oraland written résumés should be given by thepupils.

The authors wish to thank the firm of A. P.Schmidt of Boston for permission to reprintthe songs Bolero and Me gustan Todas. Theyare especially indebted to Dr. Manuel Barrancofor many valuable suggestions and for assistancein proof reading.

ERWIN W. ROESSLEE
ALFRED REMY