Faces of Na'atik: Mauro

Mauro started his studies here at Na’atik when he was in first grade. He mentioned that he not only speaks Spanish, but also understands and speaks a little bit of Maya thanks to his mother and grandmother. He added that when he first started learning English, he felt very excited because he was going to learn a completely new language.

Although he has been exposed to two languages besides Spanish from a very young age, he admits that Maya has been the most difficult for him. He currently understands it, but barely speaks it. English, on the other hand, has come more easily to him, and he feels comfortable expressing himself in it.

Starting his studies at Na’atik at such a young age helped him understand and keep up with his English classes at school more easily, since he did not start studying the language there until fifth grade. Even though many of the topics were things he had already learned before, he never stopped finding the language interesting and fun.

For Mauro, learning English has been fun and something he enjoys. He also sees the language as something that will be useful to him in the future, both for the job he wants and for traveling. “I would like to visit other countries, like the United States. For work, I would like to be a tourism associate and an architectural designer. I became interested in being an architectural designer because I like drawing and I find it easy,” he added.

When talking about his experience studying at Na’atik, he says it has been a good one because the teachers teach very well and their classes are easy to understand. “My favorite memory is the classes with teacher Erick. He taught me really well. With him, I learned the basics, and that has helped me understand more even now,” he said. He also mentioned that one of his favorite memories from teacher Erick’s classes was playing Memory Chain.

He also mentions that what he likes and enjoys most about the classes is that they do not only learn by answering exercises in their books, but that the teachers also look for ways to teach through games and different activities, which makes the classes more fun. In addition, he considers the workshops held at the library and the intercultural exchanges to be useful for reviewing everything they learn throughout the school year and realizing how much they have learned.

Throughout his studies at Na’atik, Mauro has had different teachers, and he highlights that this has helped him get used to listening to different accents, although this has also been one of the biggest challenges he has faced in his learning. He mentions that one year he had teacher Patrick, who is from the United States, so at first, he found it difficult to understand him when he taught them because, to Mauro, he also spoke quickly. However, over time, he got used to it.

Another thing that has helped him in his learning is reinforcing his knowledge outside of school. He does this by listening to music or watching movies in English without subtitles, which allows him to practice his listening skills and become familiar with different accents and expressions.

Mauro has noticed his progress in learning English at different moments in his life. One of these moments has been when, while traveling, foreign tourists have approached him to ask if he knows where a certain place is, and he has been able to understand them and answer them, as well as talk to them a little. Another way he has noticed his progress is when he has translated something for his mother. Being able to do this makes him feel proud, even though he sometimes feels nervous, as he is still learning.

Finally, he added: “Learning English at Na’atik is really fun, and if there is someone who is considering learning English here, they should do it because, besides the fact that it will help them in life, it can also be something to be proud of.”

Thank you, Mauro, for taking the time to talk with us and share your experience here at Na’atik. We also want to thank you for all the years you have spent studying with us. We are proud of the progress we have seen in your learning, but above all, we are proud that you have noticed it yourself and that, little by little, you have become more comfortable applying what you have learned in the classroom to different real-life situations.

We hope to continue accompanying you throughout this learning process for many more years and that everything you set out to accomplish comes true. We wish you much success!

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.