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Introduction to the Department of English Literature at Our University

The Cheongdae Times Newspaper Cub reporter Yumi Song

As the warmth of spring embraces the campus, a new semester has begun. Amid the excitement of freshmen and the anticipation of returning students, many are going through a period of reflecting on their majors and future career paths. In today's increasingly globalized society, English has become an essential means of communication rather than just a foreign language. With the rise in international exchanges and the spread of diverse content, the importance of English is increasingly emphasized, along with growing interest in Department of English Language and Literature.

In general, the Department of English Language and Literature is known as a field of study that encompasses not only practical language skills such as speaking and writing, but also an understanding of English-speaking cultures, literature, and the language itself. Our university's Department of English Literature also focuses on helping students use English as a tool for thinking and expression, not just a foreign language. Beyond simply understanding and memorizing sentences, a key learning objective is to develop the ability to organize one's thoughts and communicate with others through English.

In the Department of English Language and Literature, students broaden their understanding of the language by reading and interpreting a wide range of texts, and through this process, develop the ability to organize and express their own thoughts. In addition, presentations and discussions conducted during classes provide students with opportunities to use English in practice and help them gradually build confidence in the language. These learning experiences go beyond simple test preparation and can lead to the development of communication skills required in real-life situations and society.

In particular, in our university classes, lecture-style classes as well as student participation classes are often held. Students go through the process of researching given topics, organizing their ideas, and presenting them, through which they develop the ability to think and communicate logically. Although this process may feel challenging at first, it gradually becomes more natural through repeated experience and leads to increased confidence. This has a positive effect on improving not only English ability but also overall learning attitude and self-expression ability.

▲ Mascot of the Department of English Language and Literature at our university /

Source : Official website of the Department of English Language and Literature

In 2025, the Department of English Language and Literature at our university introduced a new mascot representing the department. The mascot is named "Elowl", a combination of "English" and "Owl". Inspired by the owl, a symbol of wisdom, the mascot embodies the intellectual and refined image of the Department of English Language and Literature. Elowl has a Shakespeare necklace symbolizing literature, and IPA symbol representing linguistics, and a Tree Diagram. It also serves as a symbol that encompasses both literature and linguistics, the two core pillars of the Department of English Language and Literature.

In addition, the Department of English Language and Literature at our university operates various programs to promote interaction among students beyond the formal curriculum. One such program is the "Senior-Junior Pairing Program" designed to promote bonding between juniors and seniors and to help students adjust to the department. The program is conducted in a way that groups seniors and juniors to perform various missions, providing an opportunity to interact naturally.

▲April mission details of the Senior-Junior Pairing Program /

Source : Instagram of the Department of English Language and Literature at our university

The program is carried out under a set of guidelines, and each mission is recognized only when at least four members of the team participate. In addition, all members are required to participate at least once, and the final mission is scheduled to take place in October. After completing the mission, the certification is completed by tagging and uploading the student council account on Instagram Stories.

In particular, the program goes beyond simply fostering friendships and also plays a role in helping students adjust to department life. By interacting with seniors, freshmen can learn about course registration, major classes, and campus life, helping them adjust more quickly to university life. Senior students also gain opportunities to naturally develop a sense of responsibility and leadership by guiding their juniors.

In addition, the program is scheduled to be linked with a performance presentation in the second semester, and scholarships will be awarded to selected teams that deliver presentations. This serves as a motivating factor that encourages active student participation and supports the program's continued operation.

The first mission, "Having coffee", will be carried out throughout the month of April. For this mission, gift cards worth 30,000 KRW per team will be awarded to the top three teams that complete it the fastest, after which participants will continue their activities while communicating freely within their teams. Mission verification will be based on the order of Instagram Story uploads, and posts must clearly show the participants and allow for identity verification. Such detailed operational methods can be seen as measures to ensure both fairness and active participation.

In this way, the Senior-Junior Pairing Program contributes to enhancing communication among department members and fostering a positive atmosphere. It is meaningful in that it encourages continuous interaction rather than being a one-time activity, and it plays an important role in strengthening bonds among students.

The career paths of students in the Department of English Language and literature at our university are also expanding in various directions. In general, graduates of the Department of English Language and Literature often pursue careers in fields where they can utilize English, including education, the service industry, marketing, trade, content creation, and translation and interpretation. Recently, as English proficiency has become an important factor in digital content fields such as YouTube and social media, the number of students preparing for related career paths has also been increasing.

In addition, an increasing number of students are seeking to gain international experience through overseas employment, exchange programs, and language training abroad. These experiences go beyond simply improving language skills and help students gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and develop a broader perspective. Education in the Department of English Language and Literature can serve as an important foundation for developing the communication skills and adaptability required in a global environment.

Students majoring in English and literature at our university are also actively seeking to expand their majors through double majors or minor majors. Combination with other fields such as management, tourism, and trade helps to broaden career choices and lays the foundation for growing into the convergent talent required in a changing society. This trend demonstrates that the Department of English Language and Literature has the potential to connect with a wide range of fields.

In this way, the Department of English Language and Literature at our university provides an environment that goes beyond simply improving language skills, helping students explore and develop their own potential. The process of developing the ability to think and express oneself through language plays an important role not only in personal growth but also in expanding one's role in society.

Today, English is no longer an option but an essential element. However, simply acquiring the language is not enough, and how it is used and what value it creates are becoming increasingly important. In this regard, the English Literature Department of our university gives students directions and helps them have a broader perspective.

Looking ahead, there is growing anticipation for how the department of English Language and Literature at our university will continue to develop in a changing era. For students who seek to enter a broader world through English, this will serve as a meaningful starting point where they can discover new possibilities.