Why it is important to have good conversational Spanish?
The Mexico Summer Project is not a language training program. It is essential that participants speak Spanish before arriving. Spanish is the only language common to all the participants, the indigenous community leaders, and the Mexico Project coordinating team. In many communities in Sierra Norte de Puebla, Nahuatl and Totonacan are the first language. Community members and Mexican participants become uncomfortable if English is spoken. Therefore, Spanish is spoken at all times. With this in mind, you should evaluate whether you are comfortable with and capable of communicating only in Spanish for seven weeks. This includes being able to communicate with community members and other participants while participating in service work or talleres and also being able to express yourself within your small group when conflict arises around communal living. Do not take this lightly! AFSC has made special arrangements in the past for well-qualified participants to study Spanish in Mexico City
