“Learning Spanish has had a profound impact on my life, both inside and outside the classroom.” #BaseLangStories

As an elementary school teacher in Connecticut, Alison was surrounded by students who spoke Spanish, but she couldn’t speak it herself. The language barrier made it harder to connect with her students’ families, and that didn’t sit right with her. When she found BaseLang, she finally got the consistent practice and structured grammar support she’d been missing, and it changed the way she teaches and connects in her classroom.

BaseLangStories series puts the spotlight on BaseLang students – asking them about their motivations for learning a foreign language, what impact learning Spanish has had on their lives, advice they have for fellow students, and more.

1. What’s your name? Where are you from?

My name is Alison and I’m from a small state, Connecticut, in the northeastern part of the United States.

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

I started learning Spanish because I am an elementary school teacher, and all of my students are English learners who speak a language other than English at home. While I have students from diverse backgrounds, the majority of them speak Spanish. Although I already speak Japanese, I felt a sense of frustration that I couldn’t communicate on even a basic level with my Spanish-speaking students or their parents. This barrier made me feel disconnected at times, especially when trying to involve parents in their children’s education. I also believe learning a new language later in life is an excellent way to keep your brain sharp, so taking on this challenge felt like the right thing to do, both professionally and personally.

3. In the past, what did you use to learn Spanish? Which part of learning Spanish did you struggle with the most?

In the past, I experimented with a variety of online language platforms, apps, and even an online school to learn Spanish. Each method helped to some extent, but before I found BaseLang, the part of learning Spanish that I struggled with the most was mastering grammar—particularly verb tenses and conjugations. While Spanish shares similarities with English, speaking it well requires a deep understanding of the structure. I found it difficult to progress beyond a certain point without targeted instruction.

4. What obstacle would have prevented you from signing up for BaseLang before?

The cost of private lessons and the inability to practice regularly had been obstacles that might have prevented me from signing up for a program like BaseLang, but once I learned about their unlimited class option for a fixed price, I knew it was worth the investment.

5. What did you find as a result of signing up?

After signing up for BaseLang, I found it to be exactly what I needed to improve my Spanish. The option to take as many classes as I wanted allowed me to practice consistently, which has been crucial for my progress. I’ve taken over 100 classes so far, and what I love most is the flexibility of the Real World program. I can schedule or cancel a class with as little as one minute’s notice, which works perfectly with my busy teaching schedule. Another feature I truly appreciate is that each teacher takes notes after every session. This means that no matter which teacher I work with next, they have a clear understanding of what we’ve covered and can seamlessly continue from where I left off.

6. What specific feature did you like the most about the Real World program?

For me, the most valuable aspect of BaseLang has been the ability to focus on core lessons and receive direct instruction in grammar. I prefer having a structured approach, and the teachers at BaseLang are highly knowledgeable about the intricacies of Spanish grammar. They tailor the lessons to meet my needs, whether I want to work on conjugations, conversational skills, or just practice speaking. It’s also great that I can choose teachers from different Spanish-speaking countries, which exposes me to various accents and dialects. If I ever feel that a particular teacher isn’t a good fit, I can easily block them from appearing in my search, but this has not been necessary.

7. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

Learning Spanish has had a profound impact on my life, both inside and outside the classroom. Recently, I was in a meeting with parents, administrators, and Special Education specialists to discuss an individualized lesson plan for a student. The mother of the student didn’t speak English, and although there was a translator present, I realized that I could understand much of the conversation in Spanish. It was a moment of pride for me because it felt like all the time I had invested was paying off. My main goal has always been to break down barriers and build better relationships with the families of my students. By learning Spanish, I hope to make parents feel comfortable and respected, and to show them that I have their child’s best interest at heart.

8. Would you recommend this course, if so, why?

I would absolutely recommend BaseLang to anyone who is serious about learning Spanish, especially if you’re looking for a flexible, affordable option with high-quality instruction. The program allows you to learn at your own pace and choose the areas you want to focus on

9. Complete the following sentence

“After my first month of BaseLang, I realized that…..”

I realized that learning a language isn’t about talent or natural ability—it’s about consistency, practice, and the right support system.

10. Anything else to add (advice for other students, what you wish you had known), etc?

If I could offer advice to other students, it would be to stick with it and communicate openly with your teachers about your goals and challenges. I wish I had known earlier just how much personalized attention can accelerate your learning. BaseLang offers that personal touch, and the flexibility makes it easy to fit into any schedule. I’m excited to continue improving my Spanish, and I look forward to using these skills not just in my classroom but also when I travel to Spanish-speaking countries in the future.