Radhicha De Silva
Senior Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Head of Trade and Cooperation at the Embassy of Mexico to Trinidad and Tobago, Flavio Gonzales, has encouraged students of Open Bible High School to learn Spanish, saying that mastering the language can help them access more opportunities in the global job market.
Speaking during the final day of the school’s Spanish Week, in which the students learnt about various aspects of Spanish culture, Gonzales said learning the language was not only about grammar or pronunciation but about building connections with people and cultures across the world.
“Spanish is a language of connection,” he said.
“If you want to connect with somebody, you need to learn a language such as Spanish or English.”
He told students not to fear making mistakes while learning, noting that language was about practice and confidence.
“Don’t be shy,” Gonzales said.
“If you say hola, como estas? and you don’t pronounce it very well, nothing happens. You are learning. Even AI makes mistakes.”
The Mexican diplomat also highlighted Mexico’s place within the Caribbean region, saying that the country shares cultural and historical ties with the islands through food, geography, and trade.
“Mexico is also part of the Caribbean family,” he said. “We are connected by chocolate, by the coconut, and the beaches of Cancun are very similar to those in Tobago.”
Gonzales said the Embassy of Mexico continues to promote educational and cultural cooperation across the Caribbean, offering free Spanish courses for teachers and schools interested in expanding language learning.
“We are offering free courses for professors and schools,” he said. “If you request a course at the Embassy of Mexico, it is free.”
He told students that learning Spanish could open multiple doors in their future, giving them access to scholarships, international travel, and better job opportunities.
“If you have only one language, you have only one door open,” Gonzales said. “If you learn Spanish, you have two doors open. If you learn French, you have three doors open.”
He reminded students that Spanish is the second most spoken language in North America after English and is the official language in 21 countries around the world, including one in Africa and one in Europe.
“If you learn Spanish, you are investing in your future,” Gonzales said. “You can connect with your closest neighbours and have access to countries like Mexico.”
He ended by encouraging students to see Spanish as a tool not just for work, but for life.
“Think about your future,” he said. “When you are 25 or 30 years old, you will remember that Spanish can bring you a better job, a better quality of life, and maybe even a new family.”
Gonzales closed his remarks by wishing Trinidad and Tobago’s national football team success in qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in Mexico.
“See you in Mexico for football,” he said.
Representatives from Panama, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba were also present for yesterday’s events.
