New Voices at Marta Mata: A New Chapter in English Learning

This school year has started with an exciting addition to the Marta Mata Secondary School: the arrival of two new conversation assistants who are already bringing fresh energy and confidence to our English lessons. Harry Natton, from the United Kingdom and participating through a program of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and Denisa Dimian, collaborating through SIMILE, a URV
university program linked to Erasmus, have joined the school with great enthusiasm and a clear mission—to make English learning more natural, dynamic, and connected to real-life communication.

Since their arrival, both assistants have contributed to creating a classroom atmosphere where students can experience English in an authentic and meaningful way. Although they support different year groups, their work complements each other and has become an important boost for students’ speaking skills. Harry Natton works mainly with 3rd-year ESO students, especially those involved in exchange programs or Erasmus-related activities, while Denisa Dimian mostly focuses her support on 2nd- year ESO and younger learners, working closely with teachers to integrate speaking tasks into each class unit.

Their combined efforts are helping students gain confidence when expressing themselves in English—an area that often feels challenging for teenagers. Harry, for example, started the year with activities such as “Getting to Know Me,” where students practiced real questions and answers in a relaxed, interactive context. He has also led sessions comparing different educational systems around the world, a topic that particularly motivates students preparing for exchanges. Through these activities, learners not only improve their fluency but also develop cultural awareness and critical thinking.

Denisa, in turn, has brought a very dynamic and engaging approach to lower-level classes. Her presence allows younger students to become familiar with pronunciation, basic expressions, and everyday communication through games, short dialogues, and speaking tasks fully integrated into the curriculum. Her ability to adapt to the needs of diverse groups is proving essential to ensuring that all students—regardless of their starting level—feel supported and capable of progressing. She works in close coordination with the English department, which ensures coherence between curricular content and oral practice.

A particularly noteworthy aspect is that both Harry and Denisa share a common goal: turning the English classroom into a safe space where making mistakes is simply part of the learning journey. Their patience, approachability, and motivating attitude are helping students overcome the fear of speaking. They also focus not only on linguistic accuracy, but on intonation, rhythm, and natural expression—key components of real communicative competence.

Overall, the arrival of these two conversation assistants is enriching the educational experience at Marta Mata. Their contributions allow students to approach English from a more lively, cultural, and practical perspective. The collaboration between Harry and Denisa, together with the dedication of the teaching staff, is making English learning more engaging and meaningful. Without a doubt, their presence this school year is a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their language skills and broaden their
horizons.

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