Introduction

2015.03.03

1. History

The Departments of Applied English and Applied Japanese were founded on May 28th 2000. They were merged into the Department of Applied Foreign Languages in 2012. This has become a vibrant center for the study of the English and Japanese languages and all of their applications. The courses offered ensure that graduating students emerge with not only highly developed linguistic skills, but also an ability to apply these skills in areas as diverse as education, business and community service. In addition, this department aims to foster cultural awareness, social competence and self-confidence, so that at the completion of their studies our students are well prepared to enter the domestic or international workplace as English or Japanese language professionals, or proceed smoothly into postgraduate studies.

The Department of Applied Foreign Languages is well equipped to carry out its mission in terms of both personnel and facilities. In addition to the professional staff faculty, the department also contains four high-tech language laboratories and one multi-media Foreign Language conference room, with full audio-visual facilities. The department works in close cooperation with the Foreign Language Center in the University of Kang Ning to provide students with facilities for self-study. In the comfortable and relaxed environment of the Foreign Language Center, students can make use of a range of audio-visual materials to improve all aspects of their English or Japanese. In addition, students can sign up for small-group conversation practice with native-speaking teachers. Courses currently offered include day and evening four-year degrees, requiring 128 credit hours for graduation. In addition to required and elective courses, students of the department regularly participate in extracurricular activities, such as national recitation and speech competitions, English and Japanese drama activities and singing competitions. Students from the department have also been asked to assist as interpreters in a number of international events, such as the annual Cultural Exchange Activity with Mejiro University(Japan) and the Taiwan-Israel Cultural Exchange Activity taking place in 2014 and 2015.

2. Graduate Institute

The Graduate Institute was established in 2003 in order to prepare students for a society that is becoming increasingly more diverse, both ethnically and culturally. In response to the current trends, the institute was renamed “The Graduate Institute of Applied Foreign Languages” in 2012. Graduates of university division courses can continue their studies in the University of Kang Ning's Graduate Institute of Applied Foreign Languages. The joint aims of this institute are to promote study and research into English and Japanese language and Literature, and to cultivate teaching professionals with a strong practical and theoretical grounding in English and Japanese language teaching pedagogy.

3. Features

The Department of Applied Foreign Languages at the University of Kang Ning has three major features:

a. Instruction is based on contemporary educational theory. All instructors within the department have a thorough grounding in modern language teaching methodology. Therefore, classes are lively and student-centered, and aim to develop genuine communicative ability in all students.

b. Courses are designed to meet the real needs of students. Foundation courses provide intensive training in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and the application of these skills to real-world situations. To ensure a professional standard is achieved, all students must pass a general proficiency test before graduation. At higher levels, students may choose elective courses which develop specialist skills for future careers in education or business, or prepare themseves for postgraduate study.

c. Concern for the individual growth and development of each student.

The Department of Applied Foreign Languages places special emphasis on the development of personality, character and self-confidence in each student. To this end, students are given many opportunities to participate in English and Japanese-related activities, use their skills to assist in the community, and enter a range of competitions. They are encouraged to further their skills through self-study, and take advantage of our office-hour system to practice conversation with native-speaking teachers.

4. Career Paths

The department’s curriculum design allows students to move in three potential career directions:

a. Business and Commerce

In addition to required courses in business reading and writing, students can take elective courses in Translation, Business Presentations, Business English Writing, Selected Readings in Business English, English/Japanese for Tourism and Japanese Merchant Technology , etc. These courses pave the way for careers in international trade, international business administration, marketing, finance and investment etc..

b. Teaching of English/Japanese to Speakers of Other Languages

Students interested in a teaching career can choose courses such as Teaching Materials and Methodology, Second Language Acquisition, Classroom Interaction and Management and Children’s Literature, Japanese Teaching Pedagogy. They can also gain practical teaching experience in nearby elementary schools.

c. Postgraduate Study

The department offers a number of courses which set students in the direction of Master’s and Doctoral study. Courses such as Introduction to Teaching Practicum, Classroom Management and TOEFL, etc.

5. Future Directions

The department’s future plans are centered on the twin goals of establishing links with the outside world, and strengthening the academic standing of the faculty. In line with the policy of forging alliances with industry, the department plans to offer an increasing range of employee training programs for local businesses, and at the same time create opportunities for practical workplace training for our students. In addition, we are negotiating to establish sister-school relationships with academic institutions in Japan and the United States in order to facilitate more opportunities for international communication for our students. Naturally the strengthening of the academic resources of the department is also an ongoing priority. Instructors are being encouraged to pursue doctoral study, and it is hoped that a lively atmosphere for research can be established over the coming years.

Programs & Research

Programs currently offered in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages include the following four options.

1. Daytime four-year degree

2. Evening four-year degree

3. Daytime Graduate Institute (Master's Degree)

4. Weekend Graduate Institute (Master's Degree)