It was in 2019 when UDA envisioned the need to create this major. The findings of research carried out by the college showed the need to offer students a program that bridged the English language teaching with the development of individuals with both intellectual capabilities and emotional intelligence. Bringing that vision to life was a task that would demand months of research, planning, and relentless dedication. 

Numerous hours were spent researching, analyzing, and envisioning what the program should offer. It was clear to me and many other colleagues, whose contributions were invaluable, that the designing of the curriculum, the vision, and the mission of the major wasn´t just about selecting courses or writing anything that was simply catchy; it was about building a meaningful learning path that would equip students with real-world skills as well as a path to empower the community with highly skilled English teachers. It wasn’t just about what students would learn. It was about who they would become by the time they graduated. 

After what felt like an eternity of meetings, revisions, and negotiations, the major was finally approved. Seeing it come to life was an intense feeling. Looking back, the process was exhausting but completely rewarding because this wasn’t just about creating a major; it was about creating an opportunity—one to impact generations of students to come.