It is thus seen that with an increase of language preparation there is an increase in the quality of the work in English, but that in so far as there is shown a difference between the value of German and Latin the advantage is with German.
Grouping the students' grades in English (1903-1907) after the method used when the grades of all departments were considered (Table I.) we have:
It might be questioned whether in group 3B the considerable number of students who have had 2 years' German and 4 years' Latin might not be responsible for the higher English grades. Omitting those with 2 German and 4 Latin we have group 3C in which it is seen that the percentage of high grades is changed but little and is still far better than the corresponding Latin group 3A.
It is thus plain that, in so far as our experience gives light, and contrary to the old superstition, a year's German helps a student's work in English more than a year's Latin.
3. Is the student whose language preparation for college is German as likely to persevere until graduation as the student whose language preparation has been Latin?
The classes of 1907 and 1908, as given in the last catalogue, were taken for study. Of these students the entrance records of 45 were available, the others having entered from other colleges, etc. At entrance these two classes numbered 95.
Classes of 1907 and 1908
| Years at Entrance. Average per Student |
Years at Graduation. Average per Student |
Per Cent. Increase | |
| Latin | 2.83 | 3.04 | 7.4 |
| German | 1.04 | 1.31 | 26.0 |
From Lake Forest's experience we must conclude that the student whose high-school language preparation has been German is more likely to stay through the college course than the one whose language preparation has been Latin.
4. It has been claimed that the students from the better class of families study Latin rather than German. It is hard to characterize just what is meant by "better class of families." Perhaps the financial condition represents this as correctly as any one criterion that may be used for measurement.
The scholarship lists for last year and this year include a total of 80 names, duplicates not counted.
| Latin | German | |
| Average entrance credits, scholarship students | 2.96 | 1.04 |
| Average entrance credits, all students last five years | 2.91 | 1.16 |
