Faces of Na'atik: Yaret
“One of the biggest challenges of learning English has been that there are so many topics to cover, such as verb tenses, verb conjugation, modal verbs, and more, which makes the language extensive and sometimes difficult. Even so, I would like to keep learning.”
Let’s take a closer look at Yaret’s experience. He has been a student at Na’atik for less than a year, and this month we had the opportunity to speak with him about his learning journey at the institution.
Yaret shared that at the beginning, he felt nervous and thought learning English would be quick. However, as the classes progressed, he realized that it is a process that requires patience and does not happen overnight. This understanding has helped him better comprehend the language and communicate with others in English. Since then, he has gradually noticed progress and has come to appreciate each step along the way.
He is certain that he wants to pursue a degree in Marketing and International Business, which has become a strong motivation for him to continue improving his English, as he sees it as an essential tool for his future career. In addition, his personal interest in the world of business (especially observing how people develop their ventures and interact with other companies) has sparked both curiosity and a desire to keep learning.
When describing his experience at Na’atik, he says it has been positive and calm. He has met new people he gets along with very well, and he highlights the teachers as friendly and approachable, as well as effective in the way they teach the language.
He also emphasizes that the interactive nature of the classes has helped him practice more while still enjoying the learning process. “When we are given activities, whether for homework or during class, we play games (like hot potato) to decide who participates, and sometimes we go up to the board to write our answers, among other activities,” he explains.
He also believes that additional activities such as language exchanges and workshops are a great strategy to support students’ learning. These experiences help expand vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and strengthen speaking and listening skills. The progress he has made is noticeable: he mentioned that at first he understood very little, whereas now he is able to understand much more, even though he is still working on improving his speaking skills.
Outside the classroom, he practices English by listening to music, watching movies in English with Spanish subtitles, and trying to understand the meaning of new words and phrases. This helps reinforce what he learns in class.
Based on his experience, he recommends learning English, not only as an enjoyable hobby (he describes the process as something he has genuinely enjoyed), but also as a valuable tool that can open doors in both academic and professional paths. He also suggests that anyone interested in starting or improving their English consider studying at Na’atik, as it offers a supportive environment and detailed classes that make it easier to truly understand the language.
Finally, he reflects on the importance of English today, especially in the professional world. As he approaches the end of high school, he believes that starting to learn the language was the right decision, as it has allowed him to gain knowledge he did not expect and better prepare for what lies ahead.
Thank you, Yaret, for taking the time to talk with us and share your experience studying here. We’re glad to be part of your English learning journey and to see how you improve every day. We hope you achieve all your goals!
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.