The Lost Tools of Learning

The modern resurgence of classical education can be attributed to an essay written by Dorothy Sayers. In 1947 while at Oxford, Sayers presented an essay entitled “The Lost Tools of Learning.” In the early 90's her essay captured the attention of educators and has become one of the most widely read essays on classical education. Although Sayers was not an educator herself, she does address the problems of modern education in terms that speak to the heart and mind of those who have passed through the system and found their education inadequate. She also gives parents a type of syllabus to follow. Her essay has proven to be a wonderful starting point for those seeking a better way to teach and be taught.