Tirocinium

Artificii legendi et scribendi tirocinium

The arts of reading and writing for beginners

Origin of the work:
  1651 – 1652 Sárospatak

Editions:
  1946 Prague, Počátkové čtení a psaní, Czech translation by J. Hendrich

1960 Prague, Vybrané spisy J. A. Komenského, vol. II, various eds., Czech translation by J. Hendrich

1966 Prague, in: De rerum humanarum emendatione consultatio catholica (Pampaedia)

1970 Prague, J. A. Comenii Opera omnia, vol. 17

Contents:

Prior to the pansophic school, Comenius envisaged a preparatory stage in which pupils would be taught to read and write. It was for such a purpose that this volume was written, intended as it was for teachers and parents, to whom he also turns in the opening sections. The basis of education is a knowledge of letters. This is gained in school or from private persons, educators, parents or siblings. Comenius speaks of the relevant aims, teaching environment, approaches and methods. Elsewhere, the book contains:

1. preparation of letters in three tables

2. readers’ preparation in triple word linkages

3. preparation for speaking in three dialogues.

The work long remained in manuscript, and was unknown. It was discovered only in the 1930s among manuscripts of the Consultation (Consultatio), filed among the Pampaedia.

For further study, see also:

J. A. Comenii opera omnia, vol. 17. Prague 1970, pp30-32

J. A. Komenský, Počátkové čtení a psaní. Prague 1946, introduction, pp 3-9

Jan Kumpera, Jan Amos Komenský, poutník na rozhraní věků. Prague & Ostrava 1992, pp204-205