Voices of Cultural Preservation: Na’atik Students Animate Maya Culture for a US Audience
This month some of Na'atik’s local star students had the opportunity to demonstrate their English language skills as part of an amazing online intercultural exchange. The students showcased their Maya history, culture and language by presenting to members of Creative Community Living Services, a U.S. nonprofit that provides services and support for individuals living with disabilities. These kinds of intercultural exchanges are fundamental to Na’atik’s mission. We are grateful to everyone involved in making this event possible, particularly the students themselves, English Program Manager Erick Chuc Santos and Anna Villareal Garbis at CCLS.
After connecting with Creative Community Living Services, Erick reached out to some of Na’atik’s advanced English students with the idea of sharing Maya culture with some U.S residents. For the students, the answer was an easy and resounding ‘Yes!’. While Erick proposed the idea, the students quickly made the project their own. They came up with ideas of what to share and created original an PowerPoint presentation together. The Na’atik team is incredibly proud of these students—not only for their progress in English but also for their efforts in spreading awareness about their vibrant history, culture, and language.
To learn more about their outstanding work, we spoke with our students Paula Sofia Vega Xiu, Belen Anahí Poot Cruz, and Juan Angel Pech Balam about their presentations, the intercultural experience, the impact of their work, and how this project connects to their future aspirations.
Juan Angel Pech Balam - a Na’atik student from the Maya community of X-Pichil
Diving into Maya symbology, Belen explored the world of Maya hieroglyphs and taught participants about depictions of ancient rulers considered “divine kings,” as well as the Bat God hieroglyph, which represents the underworld. Meanwhile, Paula presented on famous archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, and Uxmal. She loves these ruins “because they have history in their walls” and are made even more magical by the nature that surrounds them. Given the vast depth of Maya culture, Juan found it difficult to choose between discussing symbology, locations, clothing, animals, cuisine, or music. Ultimately, as a speaker of Yucatec Maya, he decided to focus on teaching small pieces of the language. While he knew the pronunciation by heart, he researched vocabulary writing to ensure participants could both see and hear the language. Toward the end of the session, he guided participants in learning and pronouncing Maya words such as "dog" and phrases like "good morning." For Juan, the presentation was an opportunity to share his identity and that of his community. “Even if we do not all speak Maya, we are Maya,” he said.
The students prepared their own slides
Students chose their own topics within the theme of Maya culture
When it came to presenting Maya culture in English, all three students shared similar highlights and challenges. For Paula, the most rewarding part was applying her English skills in a real-world setting. She also found it special to emphasize that Maya culture is still alive in the Yucatán Peninsula, countering the common misconception that it exists only in the past. Juan found it particularly impactful to hear participants genuinely trying to pronounce Maya words, even as they struggled. Given the complexity of the language, the students faced challenges in teaching both written and spoken Maya in an accessible way within a short timeframe. While this would have been difficult even in their first language, Juan enjoyed the challenge of presenting to an audience of non-Spanish speakers. This pushed him to think and communicate spontaneously in English rather than translating from Spanish in his head. To overcome these difficulties, Belen highlighted the importance of teamwork, noting that collaborating with her classmates allowed them to successfully explain the intricacies of Maya culture in their second language.
Presentations like this one have a significant impact on cultural preservation and promoting open-mindedness. Paula, Belen, and Juan all emphasized the importance of not only remembering but also sharing their Maya roots with people from around the world. By doing so, they actively resist the narrative that Maya culture is a relic of the past, instead demonstrating that it remains a vibrant and enduring part of the present. Looking ahead, Juan envisions a future where Maya is more widely spoken and understood, and he hopes to contribute to making that vision a reality. Similarly, Paula reflected on how “learning about the past helps shape a better future,” one that is more inclusive, diverse, and curious. Through her presentation on Maya hieroglyphs, Belen aimed to inspire listeners to think about different ways of writing and expressing ideas, as Maya glyphs often depict emotions, animals, and natural elements in intricate detail. Juan also noted that exposure to new knowledge, especially from different cultural perspectives, plays a crucial role in fostering open-mindedness and expanding learning spaces.
When asked if they would like to engage in more opportunities like this, the students enthusiastically agreed. Presenting was an excellent way to improve their English skills while gaining confidence in themselves and their abilities. For Paula, this experience inspired her to embrace intercultural connections and pursue her dream of traveling the world. Belen found that it helped her manage her nerves and become more comfortable with using mistakes as learning opportunities. She is certain this will not be her last presentation in English. Beyond language learning, this experience reinforced Juan’s passion for teaching. It affirmed his goal of becoming an effective language instructor, as he appreciated the opportunity to work with native English speakers while also practicing his own teaching skills in Maya.
Paula, Belen and Juan enjoyed utilizing their own ongoing language learner experiences to teach others. Paula reminds us to focus on the joy and fun of learning a language rather than seeing it as just a series of tasks. Similarly, Belen emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself, whether you’re practicing alone or giving a public presentation. Lastly, Juan stresses that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and encourages others to embrace them with confidence and pride.
Through their dedication, knowledge, and enthusiasm, these students are not only advancing their own education but also playing a vital role in preserving and sharing Maya culture with the world. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that language and history are living, evolving forces—and that with each presentation, conversation, and shared word, cultural preservation continues to thrive.
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.