I am assuming you are contemplating a "serious" relationship.
Hmmm... touchy, touchy issue!
But I'll bite.
I don't know where you live and/or are from. But let me suggest to you, that if you plan to take you "wife" to your home country (outside of the DR) you may find that your country may not make this a very easy step... depending on which country "home" is to you.
I also don't know what your social level is, neither your education. I ask, because you seem to shoot for somebody from a ... erm... let's say "simple" back ground. It's would not be unlikely that such a person here, has little formal education, can barely read and write, has a very unique sense of order, has no experience handling finances and has very little to talk about besides the everyday things of life. Maybe that's attractive to you, but let me tell you, that the effect of "control" wears off very quickly when even such a fragile person is being exposed to a more complicate world.
What is it which attracts you to Dominican women (I know a few good reasons, but what is yours?).
Let me also throw this in: My experience is, that Dominicans abroad are different than most who have never seen and experienced the world, in good and bad.
Also keep in mind that a Latina, especially a "hot" Latina can turn out to be quite something to handle for a man used to more tempered people. She might expect to go out DANCING every couple of nights, enjoy loud music, PEOPLE in the house, L I F E... and sex... well, maybe more often than some men dream of. They can quickly feel left "unattended", unappreciated if you are not prepared to match the temperament.
I would recommend yes, LEARN the language! And learn it well. You will want to be on TOP of things and not being seen as a potential sucker. Dominicanas, as nice and sweet as they may be, seem to expect some smarts from their man. If they come to feel they are smarter, they can tend to take you for dumb or slow and you are history, and so is half of what you own.
Get INTO the LATINO lifestyle! Learn to dance! And dance with "feel" (con sabor!).
Try a CLEAN dating site... like msn or amigos.com.
Don't chat (it's just bla bla), insist on e-mail. That will hone your communication skills and you will learn what to say and what not to say without having a beer bottle crack on your skull.
IF you ever choose to come here the find a bride. Don't go to the vacation sites... you would need to stay around for months to tell the semi-pros and gold diggers from the jewls, and you could be mistaken for just another gringo on a vacation to "get some".
Go to the cities (Santiago, Santo Domingo) and hang around the universities... yes, some not so rich girls DO study (you DO want that... you do NOT want some lazy street smart you know what). Again, you need good Spanish to have a chance in THAT environment.
Then, you need to be INTERESTING. Have something going for yourself, yes here too. You don't need to flash cash or rent a Hummer... but you need to be CLEAN and sharp... and interesting - flip flops and a funny hat won't cut it. Be very hygienic, even some very poor locals are utterly picky on hygiene!
And don't put her or her country down. You wanted a woman for a third world country? Well, you will have to build her up... but always keep in mind, there is nothing that get offended easier than a Dominicana... touchy, touchy, touchy... You are in for quite a task!
... J-D.