the evolution of English teaching in the Dominica Republic

By Dulce Brito
  • Creation of the Bilingual Secretariat at the ICDA, orienting the language toward labor productivity .
    1997 BCE

    Creation of the Bilingual Secretariat at the ICDA, orienting the language toward labor productivity .

    1995-1997: Promulgation of Ordinance 1-95 and the General Education Law 66-97. These established a new curriculum attempting to be flexible and participatory, though the lack of qualified teachers limited its practical impact .
  • the evolution of English teaching in the Dominican Republic

    the evolution of English teaching in the Dominican Republic

    1916-1924 (First US Occupation): This period marked the first systematic mass contact with the language. There was no academic planning; learning occurred through "forced immersion" and pragmatism, particularly in areas like San Pedro de Macoris.
  • Forced Contact and "Darwinian" Roots

    Forced Contact and "Darwinian" Roots

    1947 (June 24): Foundation of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA). This is a fundamental milestone, marking the beginning of systematic teaching with international standards .
  • The Evolution of English Language Teaching in the Dominican Republic

    The Evolution of English Language Teaching in the Dominican Republic

    1960s-1990s:
    • Private Sector: The ICDA experienced massive growth (from 800 to over 3,250 students in the 70s) and adopted the Audio-Oral/Structural method (behaviorist drills/repetition) .
    • Public Sector: This era was characterized by "grammar pill-popping" (pastilleo gramatical). Public high schools taught isolated sentences and abstract rules disconnected from real context .
  • 2005 (THE MAJOR TURNING POINT): Creation of the English Immersion Program for Competitiveness (MESCYT) .

    2005 (THE MAJOR TURNING POINT): Creation of the English Immersion Program for Competitiveness (MESCYT) .

    The 2005 Paradigm Shift: The Immersion Program While the founding of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) in 1947 was a major milestone for private education, the most critical turning point for the general population occurred in 2005. The document argues that the "English for Competitiveness" Immersion Program was a direct response to the decline of textile manufacturing and the rise of the service
  • The EF

    The EF

    • 2025: The EF EPI ranking places the DR at #63 (Moderate Proficiency), but with deep inequalities between metropolitan areas and the interior .
  • "Virtual English for Employability"

    "Virtual English for Employability"

    • 2026 (Projected): Launch of the "Virtual English for Employability" program by MESCYT, designed to overcome geographical barriers through distance learning .
    • 2030 Horizon: The challenge is to professionalize teachers (moving from basic levels to B2) and ensure that bilingualism shifts from being an elite privilege to a fundamental right .