History of CFL

The College of Foreign Languages of Nankai University was founded in October, 1997. Its predecessor was Nankai English Department, founded in 1919. Renowned poet, Professor Chen Kui, who graduated from Nebraska University in America, worked as the dean in 1919. In the next year, a famous scholar named Liu Wuji, son of Liu Yazi, PhD from Yale University, succeeded Professor Chen Kui as the dean. In late 1932, Situ Yuelan, Master from California University, came to teach in English Department. In 1937, since Anti-Japanese War broke out, English Department moved southward to Kunming, merged with Foreign Literature Departments from Qianghua University and Beijing University, and became the renowned Foreign Literature Department of National Southwestern Associated University.

In 1949, with the birth of new China, English Department of Nankai University also acquired a new lease of life. With the addition of Russian major under the approval of State Ministry of Higher Education in 1950, English Department developed into Foreign Languages Department. Zhou Enlai, distinguished alumnus of Nankai University and the first Prime Minister of China came back to Nankai University in 1959 for a visit. He talked to teachers and students from Foreign Languages Department when he visited the department’s classrooms. This greatly inspired teachers and students from the department. In 1972, approved by State Ministry of Education, Foreign Languages Department established its Japanese major. Encouraged by the university, Translation Research Center, British and American Literature Research Center, and Russian Literature Research Center were established in 1980s. In 1980, the major of English Language and Literature and the major of Russian Language and Literature began to have the right to grant master degree after China began to adopt its degree system; the major of Japanese Language and Literature also began to have the right to grant master degree in 1986. In 1990, approved by State Education Commission, the major of English Language and Literature began to grant doctoral degree. In 2001, approved by State Ministry of Education, College of Foreign Languages (CFL) launched French major. In 2002, CFL began to offer German major undergraduate program. In the same year, Translation Department was founded. In 2003, Post-doctoral Research Center for foreign languages and literature was established. In the same year, the major of foreign linguistics and applied linguistics began to grant master degree. In 2007, CFL began to grant English MTI (Master of Translation and Interpreting) degree. In 2011, the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council acknowledgedCFL’s Foreign Language and Literature program as first-class discipline to grant doctoral degrees. Russian and Japanese major had the right to grant doctoral degree since then. In 2013, CFL set up Spanish major. In 2014, the Spanish major was set up，and CFL began to grant Japanese MTI degree. In 2015, Naikai University and Glasgow University’s Joint Graduate School set up translation major. Foreign language and literature has been one the key disciplines of Tianjin.In 2017, the Portuguese and Italian major was set up; In 2019, the Arabic major was established.

Over more than 100 years, many noted scholars have taught in CFL, for example, Liu Wuji, Chen Kui, Situ Yuelan, Situ Rukun, Liang Zongdai, Feng Wenqian, Huang Zuolin, Huang Yusheng, Bian Zhilin, Luo Dagang, Zha Liangzheng (Mu Dan), Li Jiye, Li Yixie, Wu Kunning, Yang Shanquan, Cao Zhongde, Zong Yucai, Gao Diansen, Li Shuguo, Jin Di, Chang Yaoxin, Liu Shicong, Gu Hengdong (Gu Yu), Cui Yonglu, Zhang Zhiting, Zhang Maizeng, and so on. Honorary, visiting and part-time professors of CFL include Han Suyin, famous British writer; Li Fuqing, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Professor Cosby from the University of Regina, Canada; Professor Bao Zhiming from National University of Singapore; Professor Ogawa Naono and Professor Tatsumi Zhengming from Kokugakuin University, Japan; Professor Li Xingde from the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Luise von Flotow from the University of Ottawa; Professor Wu Fusheng from the University of Utah, America; Professor Huang Yan from the University of Auckland, New Zealand; Professor Hu Jianhua from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; the United Nations’ senior translators Li Zhengren, Zhao Xingmin, Li Bohong; and Huang Youyi, First Vice President of International Federation of Translators.

Until 2021, the number of graduates from CFL has reached 10000. These graduates have made great contribution to China’s diplomacy, foreign affairs, education, economy and trade, administration, culture, military and so on, earning widespread acclaim from employer and society. Many of them are significant members in promoting the development of the country and society.

From 1951 to 1982, Professor Li Jiye, famous writer and translator, student and comrade of Mr. Lu Xun, was working as the Dean. From 1986 to 1993, Professor Chang Yaoxin, renowned American literature scholar and doctoral supervisor, succeeded Professor Li as the Dean. From 1993 to 1997, Professor Jiang Huashang worked as the dean. After the establishment of the College of Foreign Languages in 1997, Professor Liu Shicong, renowned translator and doctoral supervisor, became the first dean of CFL. From 2000 to 2015, Professor Wang Jianyi, Lin Liyun, and doctoral supervisor Li Bing became the Dean successively. Since 2015, Professor Yan Guodong, doctoral supervisor, has been working as the dean of CFL.

Teaching and Research

Since its establishment, CFL has been focusing on developing its advantages in foreign language education, foreign literature studies, and translation studies. In the meantime, it tries to enrich the scope of each discipline and has established new disciplinary territories in Cross-cultural Studies and Regional and National Studies, making it possible for the extension of students’ scope of knowledge and new academic advantages. CFL can always cater to the needs of social development. New majors and language programs are launched, and new teachers and scholars are drawn to work in the college that is now renowned for its overall development and competitiveness in student education and academic exploration.

CFL insists on promoting students' ability and initiatives. We believe that the overall development of students is the most important part of students’ education. We try to enhance students’ creativity and students’ ability to put what they learn into practice. We keep updating our way of education, strengthening students' knowledge of languages, and broadening their academic horizon. We have very modern methodology for language education and have long enjoyed exceedingly good quality in students' cultivation. Students in CFL have great performance all throughout the years in various language qualification tests for English, Japanese, Russian, French, and German. What is more, while they have great skills in using languages, they also, through their education here, adopt great understandings of life and value. The knowledge of humanities is central to their education here.

In 2010, CFL's College English Course was entitled National Level Quality Course. In the same year, a teacher from CFL was awarded the first prize in young university teachers' teaching skill competition in Tianjin. In 2013, CFL's college English reform program, Enjoyable Learning, Enjoyable Teaching, got the first prize in the Seventh Tianjin College Education Profile Competition. In 2014, CFL's College English Course was included in the country's Quality Online Courses Program. In the same year’s First National Foreign Language Micro-class Contest, NCL’s micro-class “Writing Arguments” got a Special Prize from the contest’s Tianjin regionals and a First Prize from the contest’s national finals. Besides, many a teacher has earn prizes from Tianjin and the country’s young university teacher’s teaching skill competitions.

CFL is a teaching and research center. Besides its efforts in education, CFL is always strengthening its academic advantages. There is a package of measures and policies to encourage teachers to take part in academic activities abroad and at home. Teachers are encouraged to apply for academic programs and publish their research results. The number of research programs within these years and the amount of research funding have increased dramatically. With more research results being published, CFL has won significant research awards and academic reputations.

National Social Science Fund Projects and Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Science Projects

CFL Overview

CFL consists of four departments (Department of English Language and Literature, Department of Japanese Language and Literature, Department of Western Languages and Literature, and Translation Department), one institute (College English Institute), nine centers (Linguistics Research Center, Foreign Literature Research Center, Center for Translation Studies, East Asian Culture Research Center, Center for East Asian Ancient Studies, Research Center for the International Dissemination of Chinese Culture, Research Center for Foreign Language Education Reform, Center for Regional and National Studies, MTI Center, and Foreign Language Exam Center) and one post-doctoral research center (Post-doctoral Research Center for Foreign Languages and Literature). It offers English, Japanese, German, French, Russian, Korean, and Spanish courses for all the students of the university.

CFL can grant 1st-Level-Discipline Doctoral Degree for Foreign Language and Literature, and 2nd-Level-Discipline Doctoral Degree and Master Degree for English, Russian and Japanese languages. CFL’s English major is a feature program of China’s Ministry of Education, and its Foreign Language and Literature is among the key disciplines of Tianjin.

CFL has a complete educational system which consists of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral programs. It has a student body of more than 1300. It has very vigorous faculty and a very effective administrative team. There are 136 teachers, among whom 12 are doctoral advisors, 27 professors, and 48 associate professors. Five teachers from the faculty are members of the Foreign Language Teaching Advisory Board under the Ministry of Education. Two teachers from the faculty are included in the Ministry of Education’s Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University. Three professors from our faculty are entitled “China’s Senior Translators, and five are presidents or vice-presidents of national professional societies. CFL enjoys very close connection with foreign universities and academic institutions. CFL invites around 20 foreign scholars to teach in CFL every year, and is actively involved in academic activities in and out of China.

CFL has a lot of first-class teaching facilities. It is well equipped with modern language labs, audio and video labs, simultaneous interpretation training room, and multimedia classrooms. It has a collection of more 40, 000 books and other materials of various languages.

The objective of CFL is to further develop its privileged tradition and to enhance its educational and academic advantages. It encourages innovation in academic researches and improvement in teaching quality. It emphasizes its connection with the need of social development and its ability to serve China’s globalization strategies. It intends to become a characteristic and privileged college of foreign languages in a comprehensive university.

Academic Exchanges and International Cooperation

CFL attaches great importance to academic exchange activities both at home and abroad. CFL has invited famous experts and scholars to hold academic seminars and conferences in various forms, sent teachers and students to attend various academic conferences and to take part in international cooperative activities. Many teachers from CFL have been working as teachers or Chinese Directors of the Confucius Institutes in the UK, France, or Japan, contributing greatly to the spread of Chinese culture abroad.

CFL has held a large number of influential academic conferences, for example, the First Seminar on the Translation of Dream of Red Mansions, the First International Symposium on Modern China’s New Discourses, the 15th Annual Meeting and Academic Seminar for China Association for the Study of American Literature, International Symposium on East Asian Literature and Culture, International Symposium on Pound and the Third China’s Symposium on Pound, the Sixth China Translation Profession Forum, and the First International Conference on Prosodic Studies. These conferences have generated great impacts both in China and abroad.

CFL’s channels for international exchanges continue to expand these years. The number of teachers and students who are involved in international exchange programs keeps rising. Every year we have dozens of teachers and students who take part in programs offered in the UK, the US, Germany, France, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, The Republic of Columbia, Spain, Portugal, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Together with Kokugakuin University, CFL holds regular forums for graduate students and edits academic journal East Asian Cultural Studies.

College English Education

Currently, the College English Institute has 64 faculty members, and is responsible for college English classes for more than 6000 undergraduate students and more than 6000 graduate students. The institute began to offer college English programs for non-English majors when Nankai University was founded in 1919, and developed rapidly in the 1980s. In 2003, the department embarked on a reform in college English curriculum. With the concerted effort of all the faculty members in the past decade, our college English curriculum reform has obtained fabulous achievement and has been entitled National Quality Course,” “National Resource Sharing Class,” “Quality Course at Tianjin Municipal Level,” “Quality Teaching Core Course” of Nankai University, and “the First Prize of Teaching Achievement” at the college-level and city-level of competitions. Many teachers are awarded the title of “Master Teacher” and are given the Recognition of “Charming Class” at Nankai University. The institute enjoys the title of being “Tianjin’s Prominent Team.” In the same time, teachers of the College English Institute have achieved excellent results in various teaching competitions in the country.

Quality Education

CFL attaches great importance to the building of a vigorous cultural community on campus. It builds various platforms to promote students’ initiatives and abilities. With flexible and varied activities and clubs, CFL stresses the connection between extracurricular activities and professional knowledge, and improves students’ socializing abilities and social competitiveness. Foreign languages Drama Troupe, Peking Opera Troupe and Foreign Languages Festival are the three representative activities.

Foreign Languages Festival hosted by CFL’s student union is a representative activity of the university’s cultural life. So far it has been held for 23 times. Foreign Languages Festival combines academic, informative, recreational and artistic features. This festival enjoys a charming cultural presence on campus every spring.

Foreign languages Drama Troupe has a history of over 30 years. Two of its renowned repertoire, The Thunder Storm and Rickshaw Boy in both English and Japanese, were staged in the US and Japan in the 1980s and enjoyed great popularity. It has frequent and well-accepted performance on and off campus, like the performance on Dream Theatre of CCTV.

CFL’s Peking Opera Troupe has visited countries and areas like Japan and Hong Kong and offered visiting numerous visiting shows. It has won significant prizes in various opera competitions for colleges all over China. “Peking Opera in Foreign Languages,” a creative way in presenting Peking opera, enables this quintessential Chinese art to thrive on university campuses and to go abroad. It enhances students’ cultural and artistic taste, and is warmly acknowledged by Nankai University and Tianjin’s theatrical personnel.

Students from CFL have taken part in and won great awards from various speech competitions, debate tournaments, interpretation contests, and diplomatic etiquette contests. Their performances also win for CFL great reputation across China.

Serving the Society

CFL makes full use of its qualified faculty and effective platform to help serve the development of society and boost Tianjin’s economic growth. CFL has provided language training programs and other supports to various organizations. A brief list of these organizations may include Tianjin Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, Municipal Personnel Bureau, Airbus Tianjin Assembly Co., Ltd., Tianjin New Technology Industrial Zone, Bonded Zone, Development Zone, China Transportation Group First Harbor Engineering Bureau, People’s Bank of China Tianjin Branch (North China), Tianjin First Intermediate People’s Court, Tianjin Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., Tianjin Pipe International Economic and Trade Co., Ltd., Tianjin Radio and Television Bureau, Tianjin Lishen Battery Co., Ltd., CCCC Second Highway (Xi’an), CCCC Group Caofeidian Port Project, and China Construction Sixth Engineering Division Corp., Ltd., etc. Besides, teachers and students from CFL also worked as translators and interpreters in Tianjin Summer Davos Forum and other international conferences.

CFL’s Foreign Languages Examination Center has held numerous exams since its establishment in 2004. These exams include TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK).