The third mission of the EAGL department is "Think EAGL," which indicates "EAGL-like thinking" in other words. Today, I would like to explore this concept together with all of you. Additionally, as an example of significant growth achievable at our "small university," I will introduce a graduate, Ms M.F.

The English name for this department is the Department of English as a Global Language, abbreviated as EAGL. When you hear EAGL, you might imagine an "eagle". Although spelled differently, the pronunciation is the same. In fact, this name carries a significant meaning. In the book of Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 31 of the Old Testament, there is the following passage: "But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (English Standard Version). This verse is also sung in hymns.

When the EAGL was established, the department hoped that students and graduates would aspire to live according to the words of this scripture—running without becoming weary, walking without growing faint, and soaring with wings like eagles. As anticipated, many graduates are actively contributing in the places they have chosen. The wish of the department is that they never forget these words and, in difficult times, recall this scripture. "Think EAGL" embodies the department's aspiration!

The EAGL Department has a capacity of 60 students, with six full-time faculty members handling classes. In the first year, the focus is on developing practical English skills. In the second year, students not only take skill courses but also delve into specialized subjects and have the opportunity to participate in long-term and short-term study abroad programmes. From the third year onward, the emphasis shifts to specialized subjects, but for the two years until the fourth year, students take seminar courses to research topics of interest. In seminars, under individual guidance, they deepen their research and compile papers. The EAGL Department is dedicated to nurturing the strengths of each student.

In this article, we'll introduce the four-year journey of Ms M.F. (graduated from Koga Kyoseikan High School), who enrolled in 2014 and graduated in March 2018. Ms M.F. actively engaged in academics from the first year and won first place in the "3rd Kwassui Women's University Elizabeth Russell Cup Speech Contest" in her second year. She introduced study activities to first-year students during the orientation and contributed to the department's publicity efforts as a staff member during open campus events. Pursuing the teaching course to become a teacher, in the third and fourth years, Ms M.F. researched "motivation for learning" in her seminars and summarized the findings in her English thesis. Having passed the teacher recruitment exam in the fourth year, she is currently working as an English teacher in a junior high school.

The EAGL Department welcomes those who want to maximize their English proficiency and aspire to thrive globally, those who grew up abroad, those who struggled with their study until high school, and those who haven't yet defined their goals. That is, as long as you resonate with the department's mission, we invite you. Because it's a small department, "If you do it, you can achieve it!" Think EAGL!