Estructura y Palabra

ABOUT RICARDO

Architecture, cities, education and a lifetime of observing how people communicate.

I am Ricardo E. Valenzuela Ruiz, a retired architect and English teacher based in Mexico City.

Why Estructura y Palabra?

After many years working as an architect and later teaching English, I realized that learning a language is not mainly about studying more rules.

It is about having something interesting to say — and having the opportunity to say it.

The Conversation Is the Real Lesson.

🏛️ Architecture Taught Me to Observe

Architecture has been part of my life for decades. It taught me to look carefully at spaces, buildings, streets and the way people use them.

But architecture also taught me something less obvious: everything has a structure.

Buildings have structure. Cities have structure. Stories have structure. And language has structure.

That idea eventually became part of the philosophy behind Estructura y Palabra.

🏙️ A Lifetime with Mexico City

I have spent most of my life walking, observing and working in Mexico City.

As an architect, I saw the city professionally. As a resident, I experienced it personally. And as a writer, I continue to explore its memories, transformations and stories.

The city became more than a place where I lived.

It became one of my teachers.

What I Bring to the Conversation

🏛️ Architecture

Professional experience in architecture, construction, urban environments and the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit.

🏙️ Mexico City

Decades of personal and professional experience observing one of the world's great cities.

📚 Teaching English

Experience helping English learners communicate more naturally, with particular attention to pronunciation, vocabulary and confidence.

💬 Conversation

A belief that language improves most effectively when learners actually use it to express their own ideas.

This Is Not a Traditional English Class

I don't believe that the teacher should do most of the talking.

The materials on this blog are designed to give you something worth discussing.

Then the real work begins: you speak.

My Philosophy

Ideas are the subject.

English is the tool.

Conversation is the goal.

Who Do I Want to Talk With?

I am particularly interested in speaking with adults who already have a reasonable command of English but want to become more comfortable using it.

People who enjoy ideas. People who are curious. People who have experiences and opinions they would like to express in English.

You don't need perfect English.

You just need something to say.

🌐 From Mexico City to the World

The conversations take place online through Microsoft Teams.

That means the conversation is not limited by geography. A person in Mexico can exchange ideas with people from different places and backgrounds.

English becomes more than a school subject.

It becomes a way to connect.

Have Something to Say?

Explore the conversation topics and find one that interests you.

Then let's talk.

EXPLORE CONVERSATION TOPICS →