History and Today

 

School of Foreign Languages and Literatures has a history of 50 years. Its origin can be traced back to the English Department of School of Literatures, which was set up in 1946 by The National Lanzhou University. In 1947 the Department of English Language and Literature was founded with Professor Shui Tiantong as the dean, who was a famous expert in Shakespearian studies. When the Central Government of China adjusted colleges and departments in 1952, the English Department, together with the Russian Department, merged with other institutions, with only the Foreign Languages Teaching and Research Center staying in National Lanzhou University. It was in 1999 that School of Foreign Languages and Literatures was established, combining the former College English Teaching Department and Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (set up in 1970). In 2004, Lanzhou Medical College merged with Lanzhou University. Thus the two predecessors of the School of Foreign Languages at Lanzhou University were combined.

 

Currently, there are 5 departments in School of Foreign Languages and Literatures (English Department, Russian Department, Japanese Department, German Department and French Department) and 4 institutes (Institute of English Language and Literature, Institute of Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Institute of Russian Language and Literature, and Institute of Translation Studies). School of Foreign Languages and Literatures was granted the secondary discipline master programs in English Language and Literature, Foreign Linguisitics and Applied Linguistics, and Russian Language and Literature, in 1981, 2000 and 2003. In 2010, it was granted the primary discipline program of Foreign Languages and Literatures as well as MTI program.

 

School of Foreign Languages and Literatures enrolls undergraduates in English, French, Japanese, German and Russian. The Institute of English Language and Literature enrolls master candidates in British literature, American literature, Canadian studies and Shakespearean studies. Institute of Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics enrolls master candidates in second language acquisition, translating theories and practice, simultaneous interpretation and journalistic English. Institute of Russian Language and Literature enrolls master candidates in modern Russian, Russian literature, societies and cultures of Russian countries, and Sino-Russia Relations.

 

There are 146 staff members in School of Foreign Languages and Literatures, including 129 teachers (13 professors, 30 associate professors and 86 lecturers and assistants) and 17 administrative members. Besides, we employ 13 international teachers.

 

Many distinguished scholars  once worked in School of Foreign Languages and Literatures, such asProfessor Shui Tiantong, Professor Shui Tianming, Professor Zipei, Professor Pu Long and Professor Zhao Huizhen. Professor Shui Tiantong was an expert in Shakepearean studies who enjoyed national renown. Professor Zipei and professor Pulong are senior scholars in the field of translating studies. Professor Yuan Honggeng, current dean of School of Foreign Languages and Literatures, is an accomplished scholar in the field of metaphysical detective fiction and translating studies.

 

The educational goal of School of Foreign Languages and Literatures is to enable students to master such skills as listening, speaking, reading, writing, translating in foreign languages, as well as profound knowledge in foreign cultures and to develop morally, intelligently and physically in order to become qualified talents in teaching and research, international affairs, business, tourism and journalism, etc.

 

Many graduates from School of Foreign Languages and Literaturehave made brilliant achievements in their professions. Among them are Shui Junyi, famous host of CCTV; Huang Bikang, professor at School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, Wang Jiankai, professor at School of Foreign Languages, Fudan University and Yu Weishen, professor and dean at School of Foreign Languages, Chong Qing University.

 

School of Foreign Languages and Literatures stresses academic exchanges with international and national teaching and research institutions. Distinguished and established scholars have been invited to lecture at Lanzhou University, including Stephen E. Lucas, professor Luo Xuanming (Tsing Hua University), professor Lin Shaohua (Ocean University of China), who have visited us in recent years.