Faces of Na'atik: The Garcia Guillen Family

For this month’s Faces of Na’atik, we talked (in English!) to a terrific trio: Landy, Ana Cristina, and Jorge of the Garcia Guillen Family. Landy, the eldest, is currently attending a STEM program at university, Ana Cristina, who is in the middle, is taking a gap year and is preparing to study law at college, and Jorge is the youngest at 15 years old. We were curious about their progress and language journeys after learning with Na’atik for many years. They tell us more about their experience of studying English at Na'atik and how it has impacted their lives.

Why did your parents sign you up to learn English?

Ana Cristina: My parents saw that it was important, not just as Mexicans, but as Quintanarroenses that we learn as many useful skills to prepare for our lives as much as possible. There were many years of hard work and I believe it paid off.

What was your first impression of the English language?

Ana Cristina: My first impression of the English language was that it was a pretty and elegant language. I thought it was very difficult; I even had to repeat a year because I struggled a lot!

Landy: My first impression was that it was going to be fun and easy, but after 10 years I would say that it was quite difficult.

Jorge: At first, I thought it was going to be difficult but fine, then I realized that it was kind of stressful too.

Do you feel like a different person when you speak English?

Ana Cristina: I feel like a very different person. I feel more confident and I tend to be more talkative and excited.Landy: Yes, my voice and my attitude changes, I feel happy… I don’t really know why, maybe it’s how I perceive people who speak English.

Jorge: Yes, I do. I’m not completely fluent yet so I feel a little uncomfortable when I speak English

What was your experience learning with Na'atik? What were your teachers like?

Ana Cristina: My experience with Na’atik was amazing. It’s a very beautiful thing to see all these people treating each other just like family. The teachers were always on point; they weren’t just funny they were also very smart. The way they approached each lesson and how they prepared for the classes was mind-blowing! I am thankful that the classes were always playful but also very dynamic because you were able to learn without realizing you were learning. One day you were singing songs, working in teams and doing projects—cutting pictures, and another day you’ll find yourself talking to a foreigner and realize that you’re actually able to maintain a conversation and understand what you're being told.

Landy: It was good, I not only learned English but I learned about different cultures. I met people from the UK, the United States and Australia, and they really enriched my knowledge.

Jorge: My experience with my teachers has been cool. There are ups and downs, but overall they have been great.

Has learning another language changed your life?

Ana Cristina: It changed my life completely, from meeting people from all over the world to being able to participate in amazing programs.

Landy: It has made me more capable and has helped me to pass my university exams. When my teacher sends scientific articles, I am able to understand them. People like me who study health sciences have to keep updated on the latest innovations and those articles are in English.

Jorge: Yes, because I can watch videos and movies with subtitles and I can understand them.

Has learning another language changed how you think or make decisions?

Ana Cristina: It has influenced my life vision. Studying at Na’atik not only gave me the ability to communicate in another language, it also made me improve many different skills so the goals I have set for my life are more achievable.

Landy: Definitely. It has made me see the world in a different way. I used to only think about my state and country, and that limited my field of vision. Now it has opened many windows and doors for me and if I choose, I can go through them.

Jorge: So far, not yet.

Where do you practice your English? What other immersion opportunities are there in your city?

Ana Cristina: I usually practice through the media and I try to incorporate as much English as I can in my life. The opportunities for immersion in English are almost non-existent so I try to talk to my friends—who also attend Na’atik—in English.

Landy: I practice when I read articles from school, when I share secrets with my sister without my cousins knowing, when I watch Grey’s Anatomy, and when I listen to the singer Dua Lipa. I also practice when tourists in Merida ask for directions or when they want to learn about Maya culture.

Jorge: I practice when I watch English Youtubers and in the touristic spots of my city.

What do you love the most about your community?

Ana Cristina: It’s culturally rich and people are hospitable.

Landy: I love the peace, nature and the kind people. You can do whatever you want because everything is close.

Jorge: The peace. It isn’t a big city and I can go wherever I want.

What's your favorite tradition (in your culture)?

Ana Cristina: My favorite is by far Día de Muertos because it's about commemorating our loved ones that aren’t around anymore. Also, the food is great!

Landy: My favorite tradition is the Three Kings Fair, except for the corrida (the bullfighting activity). There are a lot of mechanical games, delicious fast food and some traditional dances.

Jorge: The temazcal ceremony! First they go inside a cement igloo. They sit in a circle. Then they put volcanic rocks in the middle and pour water over it, which creates steam and a specialist continues with the ceremony. The purpose of this is to clean your soul.

To keep the English program affordable to other local students like Landy, Ana Cristina, and Jorge, your donations are essential. Na'atik's language programs subsidizes classes for local Maya students whose English classes provide them an avenue to increase their opportunities.