(1) The department was originally named the Department of Language Education and was established on August 1, 1987, during the era of Taiwan Provincial Tainan Teachers College. The following individuals have served as department heads:

1. First Head: Professor Gong Xian-zong

2. Second Head: Professor Xie Jin-mei

3. Third Head: Professor Wang Rui-sheng

4. Fourth Head: Professor Xie Jin-mei

5. Fifth Head: Professor Wang Zhong-wen

6. Sixth Head: Professor Zhang Qing-rong

7. Seventh Head: Professor Huang Zong-yi

8. Eighth Head: Professor Qiu Min-jie

9. Ninth Head: Professor Lin Deng-shun

10. Tenth Head: Professor Zhang Hui-zhen

11. Eleventh Head: Professor Cai Ling-wan

12. Current Head: Associate Professor Zheng Xian-ren

(2) In 1991, the school was renamed National Tainan Teachers College, while the department retained the name Department of Language Education.

(3) In 2003, the Institute of Language Application was established, offering divisions in Mandarin and Taiwanese.

(4) On August 1, 2004, the school was restructured into "National University of Tainan."

(5) In 2006, as part of a departmental integration policy, the original Department of Language Education was split into two new departments: the Department of Chinese Literature and the Department of English and American Literature. That same year, the Institute of Language Application was reorganized into the Master’s Program of Chinese Literature, which was later renamed in the 2021 academic year to the Master’s Program in Chinese Language Teaching and Application.

(6) To support the continuing education needs of elementary school teachers, the Mandarin Group of the Institute of National Education was launched in August 1999. This initiative evolved into the Master’s Program in Chinese Language Teaching, formally established in August 2003. However, by 2014, the demand for such programs had diminished, leading to its eventual phase-out.

(7)  In August 2006, the Master’s Program in Chinese Literature for Working Professionals was launched to broaden educational services and provide more flexible continuing education opportunities for adult learners.

(1) Bachelor’s Program

The undergraduate program is built on a dual-focus curriculum that supports both academic advancement and career readiness. Courses are organized in a progressive sequence, moving from foundational to advanced levels, allowing students to specialize or select electives based on their individual interests and future goals—whether in further education or the job market. The curriculum is carefully designed to balance depth and diversity, catering to students’ varying backgrounds, learning styles, and developmental potential.

(2) Master's Program

The Master’s Program in Chinese Language Teaching and Application offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates traditional Chinese literature, language teaching research, and calligraphy instruction. In addition to providing pathways for students in teacher training, the program welcomes individuals who are passionate about teaching—particularly at the elementary school level—or who wish to pursue further studies in related fields.

The Master’s Program in Chinese Literature for Working Professionals features a curriculum structured around five core areas: academic thought, language and script, literature, calligraphy, and teaching. This well-rounded approach not only emphasizes traditional academic research but also incorporates calligraphy and teaching methodologies, reflecting the department's distinct educational direction. The program aims to cultivate researchers and professionals in both classical and contemporary domains, offering rich opportunities for in-depth study in Chinese literature, language education, and artistic expression through calligraphy.

Originally focused on training elementary school teachers during the teachers’ college era, our department has significantly broadened its scope since transitioning into a university in 2004. In response to evolving societal needs, we have adopted a diversified development approach. The following areas highlight our key objectives:

1. Comprehensive and Flexible Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with both depth and breadth in language education. It includes five core areas:

(1) Core Language Courses

(2) Professional Language Courses

(3) Applied Language Courses

(4) Calligraphy Courses

(5) Teacher Training Programs

Students are encouraged to tailor their learning paths through majors, minors, and cross-departmental electives. While the program remains rooted in traditional Mandarin studies, it incorporates elements of calligraphy, applied linguistics, and teacher training, equipping students with a well-rounded and versatile skill set.

2. Academic and Career Pathway Development

Academic Advancement:

Building on the undergraduate foundation, the master's program offers advanced coursework and research opportunities, encouraging students to deepen their expertise and pursue graduate studies.

Career Preparation:

Starting in their third year, students can choose from a variety of career-focused courses such as journalism and writing, book editing, copywriting and content planning, cultural and creative industries, and creative aesthetics. Practical learning experiences—including hands-on workshops, industry visits, and internships during winter and summer breaks—help students build real-world experience and career readiness.

3. Enhanced Teacher Training and Internship Support

Teacher preparation remains a vital part of our mission. The department continuously strengthens its teacher education faculty and offers regular workshops and lectures by experienced elementary school teachers. These initiatives are designed to enrich students’ teaching skills and provide insight into real classroom practices. Dedicated internship advisors offer personalized guidance for teacher qualification exams, contributing to our department’s consistently high success rate in certification and recruitment.

4. Cultivation of Literary and Creative Writing Talent

To nurture literary creativity, the department hosts the Songtao Literary Awards, featuring competitions in calligraphy, seal engraving, fiction, essays, modern poetry, and children’s literature. These events foster a strong literary atmosphere on campus and inspire students to pursue creative expression both academically and personally.

5. Promotion of Calligraphy and Seal Engraving Excellence

Our specialized calligraphy program allows students to showcase their work through a graduation exhibition in their fourth year. This serves as a platform for demonstrating their artistic growth and achievements. Students also gain hands-on teaching experience by offering calligraphy instruction in elementary schools, either independently or in collaboration with local teachers.

6. Balancing Tradition with Innovation

The department actively integrates traditional culture with modern perspectives by hosting language and calligraphy events, providing students with access to valuable learning resources and professional role models. Through specialized lectures, academic forums, and practical workshops, students expand their horizons and deepen their expertise. Our goal is to cultivate well-rounded professionals capable of thriving in the fields of education, cultural and creative industries, and academic research.

Competition Awards:
Students of this department perform excellently and frequently win awards in various language competitions, such as speech, recitation, handwriting, composition, and spelling. They have also received numerous awards in literary competitions of all sizes nationwide.

Teacher Certification:
Our department maintains a high teacher certification exam pass rate, with an average success rate of over 85% among graduating students.

Teacher Qualification Exam:
We are committed to helping teacher training students strengthen their professional competencies. To support their preparation for the teacher qualification exam, we regularly invite experienced elementary school educators to conduct mock exams and workshops, providing students with valuable practice and guidance.

Employment Opportunities:

Graduates from our department are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths, including roles in the cultural and creative industries, language education, and publishing and media. Potential positions include editors, reporters, writers, and other professionals in content creation and communication fields

Further Education: 

Our program also prepares students for advanced academic pursuits. Many graduates go on to pursue graduate studies in literature, history, philosophy, education, and the arts, both at domestic and international institutions.

Introduction Video of This Department