Learning Spanish Was Always On My Bucket List #BaseLangStories
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More infoMeet Chris, a BaseLang student who always struggled to have the confidence to speak Spanish – until he found BaseLang.
This is his story.
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.
So, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello, my name is Chris Tinsley. I’m 41 years old and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am married, I have 1 daughter, and 2 dogs. I live a busy life with a full-time job just like many other people but I have finally decided to dedicate the necessary time to learning a language. This has been a life goal of mine, somewhat of a bucket list item.
Why did you want to learn Spanish?
I have wanted to learn Spanish since I was a kid.
I remember having Spanish-speaking friends and going to their homes to play and eat with them. I have always heard Spanish around me my whole life. I have had this urge to know what was being said and to be included.
As I got older I continued to be exposed to the language through classes in school, TV, and the news. All the while the desire to really know the language never left me. I wanted to be able to communicate with Spanish speakers who didn’t speak English.
In the past, what did you use to learn Spanish?
I first started using a number of different audio courses, you know the kind where you are supposed to listen to the speaker and repeat. I then started watching children’s cartoons in Spanish (Pocoyo, mi favorito). Eventually moving onto series designed for Spanish learners (Destinos).
I then started watching videos in Spanish on YouTube and listening to increasingly complex podcasts by Spanish speakers for Spanish speakers (RadioAmbulante).
Before BaseLang, which part of learning Spanish did you struggle with the most?
Before BaseLang I really struggled with the conjugations and understanding how to use them. I was simply overwhelmed trying to learn them. I absolutely had no confidence to speak Spanish in front of anyone.
I never really spoke any Spanish prior to BaseLang. I only listened and memorized vocabulary. Now, I have the confidence to start a conversation in Spanish with a complete stranger.
A rule of mine is if I know or even think that someone speaks Spanish I can’t speak English to them. I will do whatever I have to just to get a few minutes of practice.
What obstacle would have prevented you from signing up for BaseLang before?
For me, the obstacle would have been time. I always had a reason why I didn’t have time to practice. I realize now that was only an excuse and that learning Spanish simply wasn’t as important to me at that time. That has changed, now I refuse to miss a day of experiencing the joy that learning Spanish brings me.
What did you find as a result of signing up?
When I signed up for Real World I wasn’t sure what to expect at first.
I settled into my new routine of having daily classes. I quickly gained the confidence to speak Spanish in front of other people and I began to understand native speakers better.
I also developed a desire to want to take more classes. Before I knew it I had promised myself that I would complete the entire BaseLang curriculum.
What specific feature did you like the most about the Real World program?
I believe the best feature of the Real World Program is the curriculum. Having a visible path to work through allowed me to see my accomplishments. The ability of the teachers to leave notes and keep up with a student’s progress is also invaluable to having meaningful classes.
Being able to schedule classes at almost any time is also great because for me it is difficult to dedicate the same time every day.
How has learning Spanish impacted your life?
Learning Spanish has allowed me to communicate freely with people that I would have never had the opportunity to before. Spanish speakers are more comfortable speaking with me now. I am also more comfortable speaking with them. I can communicate with people who speak no English. Learning Spanish has given me a greater appreciation of Latin America and the wonderful culture that it has to offer the world.
I feel like I am finally ready to take a trip to Latin America to experience this firsthand.
Would you recommend the Real World? and if so, why?
Absolutely yes, this is the only course I would ever recommend. I recommend BaseLang to everyone who asks me where I learned to speak Spanish.
Anything else to add (advice for other students, what you wish you had known beforehand) etc?
I would like to say I am so thankful to the great teachers who have dedicated their time to working with me personally. The teachers are awesome and helped to keep me engaged in learning. I would advise other students to find teachers that they really enjoy working with and work with them a lot.
Take as many classes as possible and don’t miss time. Immerse yourself in the language to the fullest. Change device languages, watch videos in Spanish, and listen to Spanish music.
Find ways to put yourself in contact with Spanish speakers and never speak English if the other person can speak Spanish.
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