Author: David Daniel Ramirez Perez

Dominican American Cultural Institute strengthens inclusive education with English scholarships for the visually impaired

As part of its commitment to an education that opens doors and creates opportunities for all, the Dominican American Cultural Institute (Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano – ICDA) has granted English scholarships to visually impaired individuals who are beneficiaries of the National Blind Board (Patronato Nacional de Ciegos), promoting access to a second language as a tool for their academic, professional, and personal development.

The delivery ceremony was attended by Frank Abreu and Lucy Threan, representing the Board of Directors of the Dominican American Cultural Institute; Enrique A. Fernández Malla, M.A., executive director of the ICDA; Robert Valcin, director of the Language School; and Alexandra Valverde, scholarship manager. Representing the National Blind Board were Wilfred Mallén, first vice president; Melina Nolasco, technical director; along with a group representing the scholarship beneficiaries.

This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts by the Dominican American Cultural Institute to promote a more inclusive and accessible education, making it easier for more people to strengthen their academic and professional skills through English language learning.

Through partnerships of this nature, the Dominican American Cultural Institute and the National Blind Board reaffirm their commitment to driving actions that help eliminate barriers and expand educational opportunities, supporting the comprehensive development of visually impaired individuals and fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

We celebrate those who open doors to the world through languages

At the School of Languages of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, we celebrated Teacher’s Day with a special gathering dedicated to recognizing the passion, commitment, and vocation of our faculty.

In every class, our teachers do more than just teach a language: they build bridges between cultures, open doors to new opportunities, and guide our students in developing the skills that allow them to communicate, grow, and connect with the world.

This celebration provided a space to thank them for their dedication and to highlight the impact they make every day, both inside and outside the classroom. Their dedication, patience, and academic excellence are an essential part of the meaningful learning experience that defines our institution.

To all our faculty members at the School of Languages, thank you for inspiring confidence, for teaching with passion, and for making language learning a truly transformative experience.

Language School celebrates its first 2026 graduation with two moving ceremonies

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Language School of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano celebrated its first graduation of the year 2026 on June 25th with two consecutive ceremonies, recognizing the effort, dedication, and perseverance of the students who successfully completed their training programs.

Both events brought together graduates, family members, teachers, and institutional authorities to celebrate the conclusion of an important academic stage and the beginning of new personal and professional challenges.

The ceremonies began with welcoming remarks from the executive director of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, Enrique Alberto Fernández Malla, who urged the new graduates to continue building a future full of opportunities through language learning and continuous education.

Following this, faculty representative David Rodríguez delivered a message of congratulations, highlighting the discipline, commitment, and perseverance demonstrated by the graduates throughout their academic journey.

One of the most significant moments of the day was the participation of the honor students, who delivered moving speeches on behalf of their peers.

The presentation of diplomas and awards was the central moment of both graduations, celebrating the academic success of the students and the commitment demonstrated throughout their training.

Subsequently, the director of the Language School, Robert Valcin, led the closing remarks and the graduates’ oath. In the first ceremony, he was accompanied by Valerie Del Villar Mercedes, while in the second, he shared this significant moment with the representative of Juniors Advanced, Wanny Lorena Pujols Pimentel, symbolizing the end of a chapter and the new graduates’ commitment to their personal and professional development.

As a grand finale, both ceremonies featured the participation of the Coro Mixto Domínico Americano, conducted by Viterbo Peña, whose artistic performances filled the closing ceremony with solemnity and emotion.

The American Film Festival opens its lineup with a screening of Back to the Future

With a large turnout and an enthusiastic atmosphere, the American Film Festival opened with a screening of the iconic movie Back to the Future, a cinematic classic that continues to captivate and inspire audiences of all ages across generations.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Enrique Fernández Malla, Executive Director of ICDA and Rector of UNICDA, who highlighted the value of initiatives that promote learning and cultural exchange through cinema. Likewise, Ms. Amy Krusinger, Strategic Projects Coordinator of the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, emphasized the importance of strengthening educational and cultural cooperation ties between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

The festival is part of the commemorative activities for the 250th anniversary of United States independence and is being held with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, reaffirming both institutions’ commitment to promoting spaces for connection, dialogue, and cultural enrichment.

The evening brought together cinema lovers, students, teachers, and community members, who enjoyed an experience that combined entertainment, history, and culture.

With this successful opening, the American Film Festival kicks off a lineup that will continue to bring the public closer to renowned film productions and strengthen the cultural exchange between both nations.

UNICDA at TESOL 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah, proudly contributing to global conversations on English language education

UNICDA participated in the TESOL 2026 International Convention through a TESOL Focus Session, where progress on the project “Evaluation and Alignment of a National English Immersion Program” was presented. This initiative is being implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), with technical support from TESOL International Association consultants and the sponsorship of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.

The session provided an opportunity to share key findings, opportunities, challenges, and recommendations with the international ELT community, aimed at strengthening the sustainability and scalability of the National English Immersion Program and reinforcing its role as a strategic asset for the Dominican Republic’s educational and productive systems.

Presenting team:
▪️ MESCYT: Giseh Cuesta, Director of Foreign Languages; Zomnia Schott, Academic Coordinator of the Immersion Program
▪️ UNICDA / ICDA: Karlans Camacho, Coordinator of the Teacher Development Center at UNICDA; Daphna Reyes, Immersion Program Coordinator at Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA)
▪️ TESOL International Association: Heidi Faust, Head of Grants and Partnerships; Deborah Kennedy and Lisa Mann, Adult Education and Workforce Development Specialists.

UNICDA remains committed to institutional collaboration, educational quality, and the advancement of English language teaching within a global framework.

UNICDA celebrates the Professional Development Week of the Boosting English program, in collaboration with SIT World Learning and the U.S. Embassy

Santo Domingo, D.R. — The Teacher Development Center at Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) successfully completed the Professional Development Week, a central component of the Boosting English program, a formative initiative designed to strengthen the pedagogical competencies of English teachers across the country.

This component was developed within the framework of the strategic alliance between UNICDA and SIT World Learning, with the sponsorship of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, reaffirming the shared commitment of both nations to advancing excellence in English language teaching in the Dominican Republic.

Training designed for the 21st-century teacher
More than 200 teachers enrolled in this professional development experience, which stood out for its flexibility and practical approach. Participants had the opportunity to choose between one and two short courses of 8 training hours each, tailored to their pedagogical needs and interests.

The training offering was implemented by SIT World Learning in a hybrid format that integrated both virtual and in-person sessions, giving teachers access to up-to-date content on communicative methodologies, reflective classroom practices, and student-centered teaching strategies.

Reflective closing session with Lois Scott-Conley
The training week culminated in a reflective closing session, during which participating teachers were accompanied by Lois Scott-Conley, Senior Consultant at SIT World Learning and a recognized international specialist in curriculum development and teacher training.

In this space, participants shared their learning journeys, exchanged experiences about applying new strategies in their classrooms, and outlined goals for professional growth. Scott-Conley emphasized the importance of ongoing reflection as a driving force for teacher development and highlighted how strengthening English instruction in Dominican classrooms directly impacts students’ educational, professional, and economic opportunities.

Impact that goes beyond the classroom
The Professional Development Week reaffirms the mission of the Teacher Development Center at UNICDA: to train teachers of the English language in the Dominican Republic through innovative, specialized programs aligned with international best practices.

Every trained teacher becomes a multiplier of opportunities, equipping their students with the tools they need to successfully engage with key sectors of the economy, such as tourism, business services, technology, and international trade.

UNICDA extends its sincere gratitude to SIT World Learning and to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo for their invaluable collaboration, as well as to all participating teachers for their commitment to educational excellence and their dedication to transforming English language instruction in the country.