Students in this major should be encouraged to visit the campus and meet the faculty so they may better determine how well the program fits them and their academic goals. Southwestern's program is one of the few programs in the state to allow its students to emphasize in a particular area. Elective courses beyond the core requirements enhance the emphasis selected by the student. Throughout this process, students gain hands-on experience in publication layout and design, printing, and editing. Study Abroad Significant numbers of English students have accepted the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or a year, immersing themselves in the culture and language of the country.
Students typically stay with host families and take classes at one of the local universities.
Recent experiences have included trips to Bulgaria, England, Ireland, Venezuela, and Russia. Senior Assistants Students hoping to teach in college or high school some day benefit from the department's senior assistant program. Senior assistants gain teaching experience by developing teaching units within one of the major subject areas and teaching it at various times during several class periods to help them discover what method, strategy, and teaching style works best. When students study literature and writing, they are in essence studying how people interrelate with one another. Consequently, English majors typically develop strong interpersonal communication skills along with strong written communication skills.