Learn, Immerse, Give back

Authentic, Yucatec Maya immersion

Artist: Marcelo Jiménez Santos.
 

Authentic Maya Immersion 

Our Maya language immersion program is located in the heart of the Zona Maya of Quintana Roo. The program is designed to give you an authentic, intercultural, immersion experience with trained, experienced and professional teachers. Our Maya immersion program stands out because you can learn through cultural integration while engaging with Maya-speaking homestay families, a welcoming community, and local students There are also opportunities for you to participate in extracurricular excursions while contributing and sharing with the community.

Want a glimpse of how you’ll experience Maya in the Yucatan and Na’atik? Check out the video below of one of our amazing. students who visited the area to practice his Maya!

As we are in the Maya Zone of Quintana Roo surrounded by Maya communities, you will quite literally be living the language! Our excursions will take you off the beaten track, where you will be able to practice your Maya and delve deeper into the culture while making new friends and connections. You will having ample opportunity to practice your Maya with friendly, encouraging locals who will be overjoyed to share their language with you.

Please note our Maya Immersion classes are taught by local teachers who are fluent in both Spanish and Yucatec Maya. Classes will be taught in Spanish.

after an amazing time with my teacher (including a private trip to a Maya pueblito) and my host family (oh my god the tortillas!) I was already picking out Maya words on the local radio station and able to ask a few questions of people I met.

John in Uh May.jpg

Zach L.

We offer an authentic, personalized immersion Maya language experience. When you’re not in class, you’ll either be spending time with your warm homestay family learning and living the local culture, on an excursion, wandering around town chatting with the locals, or relaxing during a modern Mayan massage. However you choose to spend your time out of class is up to you and our friendly staff will guide and support you during your stay. 

 

Our Teaching Philosophy

Our philosophy is to teach real-life, communicative language skills in a student-centered environment that encourages our students to continue learning and growing outside the classroom. Our main goal is to get our students communicating in their target language, not to overanalyze grammar. We push our students to interact, practice and learn while building their confidence and providing effective feedback.

 
Maya Class class in Na'atik's solar-powered school building

World-Class Teachers

Our personalized language classes are taught by experienced, native-speaking, university-trained educators who are passionate about the Maya language, their community, and their Maya-Mexican culture. 

Maya student in Uh May - cropped.jpg

COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS

The people of Felipe Carrillo Puerto are delighted when students from ‘outside’ are interested in learning their native Maya language. You’ll find that store owners, taxi drivers, and folks relaxing outside are happy to share some conversation in Maya.

Maya culture in Uh May.png

Hands-on experiences

We will do our best to have you learn about the modern-Maya culture of the region through fun, hands-on activities and excursions. We feel this is the best way to learn the Maya language and practice in real-time.

JJC group intercambio w Sat ss - cropped.png

cultural Opportunities

If you study with us when local English classes are in session, you can volunteer in a class, participate in an Intercultural Exchange, or share your experiences in one of our Career Talks. The intercultural exchanges are fun and make life-long memories.

Support from staff

We will pick you up from the Carrillo bus station, introduce you to your homestay family, and provide you with guidance and support during your stay. We will just be here to make sure you’re having a wonderful experience. 

Local Mayan homestay family with Maya language and culture students

excursions & More!

Our walking tour and welcome dinner will let you feel at ease in town. You’ll also enjoy a trip to a beautiful, remote jungle lagoon for swimming and kayaking, a cooking class (for those studying two or more weeks), and a bike for getting around. When you finish, you’ll get a certificate and Na’atik t-shirt! 

Na'atik's Maya teacher, Linda Iris, ready to serve the 'pib' or underground-cooked homemade tamales to her students who made them in cooking class
The finished palapa roof seen from the inside made from the leaf called 'huano'
Maya language student receiving his diploma with his teacher and her family
Wood carving by a local Mayan artist depicting a Maya woman cooking in a traditional kitchen
A homestay bedroom in one of Na'atik's Maya-speaking homestay families with a bed, hammock, fan, and air conditioning
The Maya calendar carved in stone
Maya ceremonial prayer next to the sacred ceiba tree at the Raxalaj Maya ceremonial center in Carrillo Puerto must a few minutes from Na'atik
Our homestay maya kitchen table getting set for the main meal
Traditional Mayan thatch roofs
The entranceway to a Maya homestay family home
Local Mayan builders putting up the frame for a thatch-roofed home
The fair in one of the local Maya communities with women playing foozball
Relaxing in one of our Maya homestay family's kitchens with a cafecito or fresh juice
Wooden carving by a local Mayan artist depicting Maya life
Maya language and culture students digging the hole and placing homemade tamales into the 'pib' to cook underground
The performance at the nature park, Ixcaret, explaining Mexico's history through cultural song and dance
Flower decorations for a Maya festival
Lunchtime is almost ready with the choice of juice, Coca Cola or water
"Look at this incredible mango of my tree!" says a local boy
Preparing the fire pit to prepare the 'pib' or underground oven for tamales
Chicken, fresh banana leaves off the tree, ties and other fixings to make homemade tamales with the homestay family
Cooking over the outside fire
A classic handmade ladder to get to the roof of a house
Local children playing on a mound of building material in the street
In all homes of the region, the hammocks not in use are tied up in this special way during the day and let down to sleep in at night.
One of our Maya Immersion students with her homestay sisters
a small fishing boat waiting for its passengers at a local lagoon
One of Na'atik's homestay family's modern-Maya kitchen
Maya immersion student with her homestay mom and sister celebrating the Día de la Guadalupa on December 12th.

“My Maya teacher was above and beyond just a language teacher. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for the Maya culture was contagious And my homestay was as authentic as it gets. being invited to take part in this wonderful family’s daily life was an enriching experience like no other.”

— Jo R.

 Have questions about any of our programs and offerings? Contact us here and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. You can also email us at mas@naatikmexico.org and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about our programs.