The most important thing a student learns to do is live with others. To get along with others a student must understand people and be able to communicate with them. In the study of English the opportunity is offered each student to learn to express himself orally with others, individually, or in groups. Through books and selections read in English, the student can benefit from the thoughts and point of view of those who live now or in earlier times.

English is an area of ideas. Through these ideas a student is familiarized with the heart of our Western culture, but without grammar it is impossible to carry across ideas effectively. West's English seeks to maintain a balance in literature, composition, and grammar, the three basic areas.

The first phase, literature, tries to expose the student to his cultural heritage. Many people restrict English to the use of punctuation, but English is also a sharing of ideas. Through the study of English, ideas are shared with the student and translated by the student into meaningful experience. The goal of West's English department is to acquaint each student with important ideas and teach him to express those ideas effectively. To reach this goal a good English teaching staff is necessary.

Outstanding academic records have been compiled by members of Maine's English faculty. All of West's 24 English teachers have attained their masters degrees, or are working toward them.

Advanced Courses Offered

Along with science, social science, and mathematics, the English department participates in the advanced placement program. Maine West students have scored well on the tests offered through this program and have received college credit for their course work in English IV Advanced Placement, offered in the senior year.

In the past two years West students have entered the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards competition. The two students honored with awards this year were Sue MacHattie '63, and John Toth '63. This places them among the 870 outstanding students of high school English in the country.