English Department was established in 1966. At that time, only 50 students enrolled each year. The number of students had increased to 100 (two classes) by 1970. The students of this period had the option to minor in a second foreign language. In 1990, 200 students (four classes) enrolled in English Department. Students in our department can minor in one of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. In 1998, 180 students (three classes) were enrolled in our department at the 2-year College, the Division of Continuing Education.

In 1999, Wenzao was upgraded into college, and recruited 120 students (two classes) for 2-year College in Day school, 60 students (one class) for 2-year College in the Division of Continuing Education. In 2001 there were 150 students (three classes) in the 4-year college of the Division of Continuing Education. Later in 2003, the 4-year College of Day School was established and enrolled 120 students. Meanwhile, the student number in the 2-year College of the Division of Continuing Education amounted to 110.

In August, 2010, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Wenzao enrolled 50 elite students (all of them scored above PR 90 in the first high school entrance exam) in the honor class in the 5-year junior college.

On August 1, 2013, The proposal of restructuring was approved and the School was officially re-named “Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.” As the first university of languages in Taiwan, Wenzao now has an academic framework that consists of four colleges: College of English and International Studies, College of European and Asian Languages, College of Cultural and Educational Innovation, College of  Liberal Arts Education. Under these colleges, twelve departments, five graduate institutes, General Education center, Ursuline Education center, center for Teacher Education and other academic units are incorporated. English Department belongs to College of English and International Studies.

On August 1, 2016, The MA program in English was officially approved and established. The main feature of this program is English for Professional Communication (EPC), which focuses on the ability of Intercultural Communication. Ten graduate students were enrolled.

      1. Establishment and Early Development (1966-1980): Wenzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages for Girls

In the 1950s, Kaohsiung was Taiwan's most important harbor city for import, export and industry. There was a pressing need for intermediate language and commerce professionals. In view of this, Most Rev. Joseph Cheng Tien-Siang of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kaohsiung believed that developing college education should be the most effective method to serve and support national and social needs. He then invited the well-known Order of St. Ursula which was famed internationally for its education contributions to come to Kaohsiung. In 1966, "Wenzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages for Girls" was founded with English, French, German and Spanish language programs. Within the following decades, the School produced exceptional language professionals who have been well received both at home and abroad.

      2. Expansion and Development (1980-1999): Wenzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages

In the history of education in the West, the Ursulines have always been regarded as pioneers in providing education for women; they have been renowned across the globe for about five hundred years. Wenzao was initially founded with the mission of nurturing women into educated and ethical contributing members of society. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, Taiwan went through numerous diplomatic changes. Wenzao, known for training language talents, also acknowledged the national and social needs at the time for more diverse diplomatic talents with language abilities. And so once again in response to national development needs, the School began to accept male students in addition to female students and thus changed its name to "Wenzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages." The School also added the Japanese language program, continued on with its professional bilingual language training, Chinese culture-oriented foundation, enrichment of cultural literacy, and holistic character development, as well as brought out each individual's inner potential. In terms of liberal arts education, the School provided students with more diverse options to better prepare them for future social needs.

      3. Growth and Preparation for University Status (1999-2013): Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages

Between the 1980s and 1990s, in the wake of globalization and the impacts resulting from the upgrading and transformation of Taiwan's industries, the qualities for desirable talents changed as well. Wenzao remained vigilant regarding the changing needs, and applied to the Ministry of Education for restructuring into college status in order to train even more sophisticated language professionals. In 1999, Wenzao successfully became a language college. In the following decade, the School successively developed various programs, including the two-year college, the four-year college, the Division of Continuing Education and graduate institutes. By 2013, the School had already established twelve departments and five graduate institutes, while retaining its junior college programs. During this phase, although faced with many major changes and challenges, such as a considerable increase in student and faculty size, the School remained firm in its education ideals and steadily progressed while continuing to promote its advantages, such as language and holistic education. The School also improved its software and hardware equipment and instruction systems, steadily preparing itself for university status.

      4. Maturity (2013-onwards): Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages  

In August 2013, restructuring was approved and the School was officially re-named "Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages." The School's academic framework now consists of four colleges, with twelve departments and institutes and six academic centers. The Division of Continuing Education simultaneously established bachelor's degree programs for "International Business English" and "International Tourism and MICE." Student population has reached more than 9,000. With the full support of the Board of Trustees as well as the joint efforts from students and faculty, the School's development in terms of faculty, the quality of academic research and instruction, as well as software and hardware equipment standards has met expectations. The digitalized and internationalized School can now fully demonstrate the qualities expected of a language university.

Looking to the future, Taiwan is faced with uncertainties and pressure from global competition. How should Wenzao innovate and restructure in order to continue with its mission?

I know full well that in addition to the foundation laid down by Our predecessors for the past fifty years, as long as we continue upholding our founding mindset (values) and core development principles (ideals), and continue to answer global needs (mission), in the next half century, Wenzao will not only continue to gain a firm foothold in Taiwan, but will also connect with the rest of the globe.