A Message from the Staff

The study of English language and literature in Japan began in the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The famous authors like Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), Soseki Natsume (1867-1916), and Hakuson Kuriyagawa (1880-1923) were also scholars of English literature, and once taught at the Old-system Number Five High School, predecessor of the present Kumamoto University. Cherishing the long-established tradition, the Department of English has been making efforts to advance it further.

Our lectures, which deal with wide areas of English language and literature, are offered by the full-time as well as part-time professors of the University (Please read The 1998 Timetable [the Japanese version only] to see the details). The opportunities of improving practical English are also given for students, for they are required to use English in foreign teachers' classes.

We have exchange-student programs with Montana University of the United States, Durham University and Birmingham University of the United Kingdom, and Newcastle University of Australia. Students can get chances of studying abroad by making use of them.

Approximately one fourth of the graduates become English teachers at senior or junior high schools every year. Others become civil servants or find jobs at the companies of mass media, financial business, distribution industry, computer business, etc. They are actively engaged in their own works. The postgraduate course is provided for those who wish to continue their academic researches. Many students who completed the course have become English teachers at higher educational institutions.

We hope we can help students to understand written English correctly, appreciate English literature, and express themselves in English.

To The Home Page of the Department of English (the English version)