The Department of Applied English boasts a history of over 20 years, during which it has experienced several transformations. Founded in August 2002 as the Department of Applied Foreign Languages (English Division) at Kainan Institute of Management, it was restructured in August 2005 to become the Department of Applied English at the same institution. In August 2006, the department underwent further reorganization at Kainan University. A significant milestone was reached in August 2007 when the department officially launched its graduate program, now known as the Graduate Institute of Applied English at Kainan University. In response to the growing trends in global interdisciplinarity and bilingual education, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kainan University established the Master’s Program in Applied Linguistics in 2022. This innovative program merges three previously independent graduate institutes—Applied English, Applied Japanese, and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language—into a cohesive interdisciplinary initiative with three specializations: English, Japanese, and Chinese. While preserving the unique academic strengths and core values of each field, the program places a strong emphasis on language pedagogy, aiming to advance research and innovation in language education across these three languages.

Upon its establishment, the Department's mission and educational objectives were closely aligned with the university's overarching vision, prioritizing teaching, research, and the development of students' professional skills. Originally, the Department sought to train world-class professionals fluent in foreign languages, preparing them for careers in politics, international trade, diplomacy, negotiation, and business. The initial design of the curriculum and the recruitment of faculty were reflective of these aims. However, in light of demographic changes and a declining birthrate, the Department has continually updated its educational goals and curriculum since the 2008 academic year to address the evolving needs of society.

In response to the rising demand for program-based curricula, the Taoyuan Aerotropolis development plan, and the increasing need for qualified English educators at all levels, the Department has established the following educational objectives: Undergraduate Program (including both day and evening divisions): To prepare entry-level English professionals with a global perspective, emphasizing careers in English teaching, international business, and cross-cultural communication. Graduate Program: To foster advanced English education professionals with an international outlook, aimed explicitly at training English teachers for primary and secondary education, as well as educators in specialized fields requiring English instruction.