The basic importance of English in schools is the basis for this book. Following an introduction to George Sampson by the editor Denys Thompson, a preliminary by the author discusses the half-century that has passed since the enactment of the Education Act of 1870 in England. The place of the English language and literature in the early stages of education is discussed in Chapter II. Six aspects of the English course--training in speech, training in talk, training in listening, training in writing, training in study, and the introduction to literature--are considered in detail in Chapter III. The author's conclusion is presented in Chapter IV. Four brief notes and an index conclude the book. (DB)