“Learning Spanish gives me a unique advantage in my career” #BaseLangStories

When Jennifer’s work in physics started connecting her with scientists around the globe, and her Spanish-speaking family reminded her of doors she’d yet to open, she realized she didn’t want surface-level Spanish anymore. She wanted to use it: in research, in relationships, in her life. With BaseLang, she discovered not just lessons but a flexible, conversational path that finally matched her goals and schedule.

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?

Jennifer, born in Queens, NYC, but have lived in Wisconsin most of my adult life.

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

Languages have always interested me. I believe that languages open doors to the world. In my job, I am a physicist, and I have many opportunities to meet other scientists from other countries, which is a great advantage of my work.

Also, I have Spanish-speaking family and friends, so I am trying to learn more Spanish. I am not retired, but my children left home to go to university. Therefore, I have a little more time for my hobbies. Furthermore, I would like to use Spanish in my work in the future. For example, to teach physics in other countries.

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

I have been studying Spanish on and off for probably 20 years. I even used to listen to books on tape in my car. During the pandemic, I decided (like many people) to revisit my interest in Spanish and take advantage of the many online options. I was in a basic level Spanish book club. I found an awesome private tutor on iTalki and took some continuing ed. classes at the university.

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

Speaking and holding a conversation for an extended period of time about anything more interesting than “¿Dónde está el baño más cercano?” I also have a busy career/life/kids etc.. so I hadn’t found a platform that worked with my schedule.

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

Nothing, I had not heard of it before, but to be fair I wasn’t really looking. When the time came that I wanted to expand from my private tutor, I researched and compared the online options and BaseLang got great reviews. I signed up for a free week and never looked back.

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

The teachers are amazing! While I have found 3-4 that I routinely schedule classes with (due to common interest, scheduling and teaching style,) I really haven’t had a bad professor. I like the section where you can make comments about each professor w/o them seeing it – I use this area to jot down things to remember who is who, and what aspect of their teaching styles works best for me.  I really enjoy meeting professors from various countries with different interests. I love the convenience of last minute scheduling and the curriculum platform. For me, I found three options for how best to optimize my lessons:

1. Chatting – best when the professor and I are in chatty modes and have a good rapport.
2. Core curriculum – best when I am either working on a topic  (like irregular past tense conjugations) or if I am tired and can’t muster the energy to chat.
3. Electives – I have one professor that has similar professional interests as me so we go through the medical electives.  I am a medical physicist and she is a medical student so the time just flies. I learn so much Spanish that is relevant to my everyday life. This will help me in my goal of using Spanish in my future professional pursuits.

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

The ability to pick up any core lesson in the curriculum with any teacher. The ability to “favorite” three professors so you can schedule a few more days in advance.

8. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

It’s just fun. Plus, I  do think this will give me a unique advantage in my career.

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

Yes. Super impressed with the teachers, and the platform is super easy to use.

10. Complete the following sentence

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

This is a great platform – I wish I found it sooner.  The unlimited class option is a great value if/when you are ready to commit to really learning Spanish and advancing to the next level.

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

Try out different professors and then pick a few and stick to 3-5. Otherwise you end up having the same introductory conversation over and over. If you really want to take advantage of the unlimited classes, commit to at least 30 minutes a day, with a few days a week of 1 hr lessons.