“Before BaseLang, I felt a little bit lost” #BaseLangStories

Even after studying Spanish on several online apps, Brett felt he wasn’t improving enough to speak the language in real situations. Through BaseLang’s Real World program, he says he’s progressed further than ever, while keeping his learning journey fun and flexible.

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?

Brett Woodward, Utah, United States

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

I want to learn Spanish so I can better connect with Spanish speakers, both in my community and in other countries while traveling. I want to experience new cultures and new places and speaking a second language is a great way to do that. I’m not sure what opportunities and experiences may arise as a result of me being able to communicate in Spanish, but I want to find out.

3. In the past, what did you use to learn Spanish?

DuoLingo, YouTube, sites like SpanishDict, & Pimsleur

4. Before BaseLang, which part of learning Spanish did you struggle with the most?

Before BaseLang I struggled to apply what I learned to real situations. I had no one to speak Spanish to and no framework for planning out my studies. It was frustrating because I felt like I wasn’t making much progress, and the lack of an efficient plan for improving made me feel overwhelmed.

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

I found out about BaseLang from YouTube and I thought about joining for a few months before signing up. The expense was more than I’d invested in language learning previously and that takes a certain level of commitment. Speaking with real teachers is a little intimidating if you’ve never tried it but I understood that it was necessary to take the next step.

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

I found that the cost was worth it to me because BaseLang has helped me progress further than any other method I’ve tried and that is my ultimate goal. I’ve found that this format has been easier and more fun to stick with than any other methods, too. I’m still learning and I’m still enjoying it, and that’s what matters to me.

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

– It’s easy to fit into my life: Learning online allows me to work my Spanish classes into my schedule. I’m not sure I would have made it this far if I was trying to go to a tutor. I can take as many or as few classes as I want.

– Speaking is the key to improving: The act of having real conversations has helped me to no longer be afraid to try to express myself in Spanish. It helps me solidify what I’m learning. Plus, making mistakes out loud is integral to making progress and getting more comfortable.

– You can learn the way you want to: BaseLang is a good balance of structure and flexibility that allows you to learn in the way that works best for you. If you like to follow a lesson plan, you can. If you want to focus on practicing natural conversations, you can do that too.

8. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

On a very basic level, learning Spanish has been fun. It’s been a rewarding mental endeavor that has helped me feel productive and positive during this pandemic. I’ve been able to start communicating with Spanish speaking friends and members of my community. It’s helped me learn more about other cultures and dream up new adventures in Central and South America.

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

I would recommend the Real World course for people who are serious about learning Spanish. There are other apps and resources that might be better for those who aren’t sure, but if you’re ready to commit to learning Spanish, BaseLang’s Real World course is great. It’s flexible enough to fit any schedule and it gives you a path with which you can start your own journey. You’ll get out what you put in, and if you’re able to put in the time and effort you’ll absolutely see results.

10. Complete the following sentence “After my first month of BaseLang, I realized that…..”

…I could do it. I had attempted to learn before, but I never saw a path that I felt confident would help me get where I wanted to be. I wasn’t magically better after a month, but I made a lot of progress, and I started to see that this was a program that could work for me long term.

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

It’s been a year so far. Fluency in a second language is a moving target and I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I’ve broken through to the stage where I have enough knowledge and momentum to get there, as long as I keep putting in the work.

I typically take 5-7 hours of classes each week. I have a full time job, and I usually do my classes before work. Between work and my other hobbies/commitments I feel like I don’t have much more time to give, but that amount of time has been enough for me to make some real progress in the last year. I can start doing evening classes anytime I want, but for now I like the pace of my routine.

At my rate of 20-28 hours per month, BaseLang is still comparable to or cheaper than other options out there, so I feel good about this investment in myself. And honestly, when I look back I care a lot more about the progress I’ve made in an area I care about than the money I’ve spent.

I like to find one or two teachers that I like and stick with them. It can be hard to reserve classes with teachers you like, so be sure to utilize the Favorite Teacher feature which lets you book up to 3 teachers two days earlier than other students.