1. Training of translators as well as interpreters.
2. Development of students' computer word processing ability.
3. Japanese teacher training program provided by the Japanese master's as well as the doctoral programs.
4. Providing support to the Freshman Foreign Language Class and foreign language training in the Extension School. Advocating the need to learn a second foreign language as a minor on campus.
5. Publishing the Soochow Journal of Foreign Languages and Literatures and the Soochow Japanese Education Journal.
6. Conducting conferences, seminars, etc. to encourage faculty involvement in research projects.

We plan to assist the English Department and the German Department in setting up graduate programs and we also plan to conduct overseas exchange programs to help students learn a foreign language overseas. It is our educational goal to heighten the foreign cultural awareness of foreign language learners.

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Tel:886-2-28819471 ext. 6481, Email:english@mail.scu.edu.tw

The Department was established in 1954 as the "Department of Foreign Languages". With its focus on English language proficiency training, the English Department also stresses the cultivation of Western cultural awareness. Students' coursework begins with an introduction to British and American literature and language theories and moves on to an in depth study of their literature, linguistics and language use. Reading and oral practices are conducted in small classes by Native English language native-speakers. We have a departmental library, a non-book data room, an audio-video room, a self-access lab, an oral interpretation lab, as well as computer labs. The Department holds an English drama contest and the graduating class gives a drama presentation annually. An "English Week" is held on an annual basis. We host an English learning web-site on the Internet and have a joint summer English training program with UCLA. An overseas exchange program is set up to help students learn English in English-speaking countries. We also plan to establish a master's degree program in comparative literature in the very near future.

DEPARTMENT OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Tel:886-2-28819471 ext. 6521, Email:japanese@mail.scu.edu.tw

The Japanese Department was established in 1972. The undergraduate program focuses on training Japanese language ability, whereas the graduate master's and doctoral programs stress the importance of academic research abilities. The undergraduate program sharpens students' Japanese Listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities. Instruction is done on a small class basis and workshops or seminars are held monthly. Grants and scholarships are provided by Japanese alumni and each semester, 20 students are selected to study at Meikai University in Japan. We plan to increase our contact with universities in Japan through joint exchange programs.

DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Tel:886-2-28819471 ext. 6561, Email:deutsch@mail.scu.edu.tw

The German Section of the Department of Foreign Languages became the German Department in its own right in 1973, with the purpose of developing students' overall proficiency in German. The purpose is to help them gain professional knowledge in German humanities and social sciences. The first two years of the curriculum focuses on German language ability training. Students then can choose to specialize in either language and literature or social sciences according to their interests. Twenty students are selected annually to study at Munster University in Germany for half a year. Literary or academic activities are constantly held by students as well as faculty to expose them to German culture. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, a German database has been set up and thus, when a Master's program is established, we shall become a German culture social studies and information and research center.