1951 saw the formation of the Institute of Foreign Languages, although within just two years it was transformed into the Foreign Language Centre; a cross-faculty unit brought into being at all Polish tertiary institutions through an ordinance by the Minister of Higher Education, on the second of February, 1953. It was later renamed the Centre for Practical Language Education (SPNJO). The first director of our SPNJO was Dr Franciszek Janowski.
In 1955, all of the employees of the SPNJO, besides Gwido Wrzosiński, were dismissed as part of a restructuring effort. As a result, a new team of language instructors, under the helm of Marta Ryziewicz (MA), was formed. In 1960, the Centre was provided with four new rooms; three of which were used for teaching. At that time, Russian was compulsory for all students. Marta Ryziewicz retired in 1973 and Jerzy Petryński (MA) became the new director. In 1976 he was replaced by Józef Ragiel (MA), who was the head of the Centre until 1991. The Centre for Practical Language Education was renamed the Centre for Foreign Languages and moved to a pavilion at the Military Centre, on Bartla 6, in 1991. From then, until 1997, it was directed by Jolanta Król (MA). The pavilion, which was situated by the Odra River, suffered extensive damage during the flood of 1997, although it was later renovated and partially modernised as a result of the efforts of the University and a grant from the Ministry of National Education. From September 1997, the Centre was headed by Jadwiga Bolechowska (MA) who, from 1998, was also the international programs coordinator in the Department of International Cooperation. In 2002 Centre for Foreign Languages was equipped with a modern ITC suite, then the Rector of the University, prof. dr hab. Tadeusz Szulc, formally opened the suite. In 2003 the Centre for Foreign Languages celebrated the 50th anniversary of its establishment with the University authorities as well as the representatives of each faculty and administrative units and also retired staff members. The Rector of the University, prof. dr hab. Michał Mazurkiewicz delivered a commemorative speech and Jadwiga Bolechowska MA, the director of the Centre, received letters of congratulations along with the Medal for Merit in acknowledgement for her work. The medal was awarded by the Faculty Board and the Dean of Environmental Engineering and Geodes, prof. dr hab. Andrzej Drabiński and presented by prof. dr hab. Jerzy Sobota, the Deputy Dean.
In 2006 the University authorities decided to sell the facility on Bartla 6. In June of the same year, the Centre for Foreign Languages was relocated to M. Skłodowska-Curie St. Every classroom of the Centre was equipped with audio-visual teaching aids and some of them with multimedia kits. It is clearly noticeable that the modernization of the University has made a significant difference.
1951 – establishment of Foreign Languages Institute at 42 M.Skłodowska-Curie St.
1953 – by order of the Minister of Higher Education, the Centre for Foreign Languages was established as an interdepartmental educational unit
1955 – renaming as the Centre of Practical Study of Foreign Languages
1991 – the change of the name to Center of Foreign Languages and relocation to 6 Bartla St.
2006 – relocation to 42 M.Skłodowska-Curie St.
2014 – relocation to 6 J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego St.
2018 – renaming to Centre for Foreign Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences
1951–1955 - Franciszek Jankowski PhD
1955–1973 - Marta Ryziewicz MA
1973–1976 - Jerzy Petryński MA
1976–1991 - Józef Ragiel MA
1991–1997 - Jolanta Król MA
1997–2013 - Jadwiga Bolechowska MA
2013– - Ewa Hajdasz MA
