Dr. José L. Gómez is a Professor of Spanish in the Department of Spanish Studies at McMurry University. He teaches various Spanish language courses, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. In addition to language instruction, he offers courses in Spanish Literature, Culture, Civilization, and Spanish for Teachers and Majors.
A native of Quito, Ecuador, Dr. Gómez is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Ecuadorian Air Force, having served at Dyess Air Force Base from 1994 to 1996. He holds a Doctorate in Education Science from Escuela Politécnica Javeriana. His scholarly research focuses on “The Art of Language as an Instrument of Knowledge.” Additionally, Dr. Gómez is accredited by McMurry University and holds a Texas Educator Certificate.
Dr. Gómez has significantly contributed to Spanish language teaching, including developing preparatory materials for future teachers aiming to pass the Texas TExES Language Other Than English (LOTE) certification exam. He has also innovatively utilized Microsoft Excel by creating a unique spreadsheet that conjugates the main fourteen tenses of Spanish verbs. Furthermore, Dr. Gómez developed a new strategy to enhance oral proficiency for elementary and intermediate Spanish learners.
A firm believer in the philosophy of Confucianism, Dr. Gómez values work, education, and moral integrity. He lives by one of Confucius’s most famous teachings: “If your goal is to progress for one year, plant wheat; if your goal is to progress for ten years, plant trees; if your goal is to progress for one hundred years, educate your children.” Dr. Gómez also emphasizes the importance of bilingualism in today’s competitive, globalized world. He believes that success in this age of knowledge, which demands scientific, technical, technological, and creative skills, is deeply tied to the ability to speak multiple languages.