“With my Argentinian football mates, we all talk in Spanish now” #BaseLangStories

Sam spoke no Spanish before signing up for BaseLang. After two months of regular practice thanks to BaseLang’s unlimited one-on-one classes, he’s already talking sports in Spanish with his Argentinian football mates. And thanks to all the backgrounds of his different BaseLang teachers, he’s learning plenty of regional Spanish slang for his upcoming trip across Latin America. Let’s hear his story.

Our 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 and where you are from?

Hey there! I’m Sam from Australia. I have been living in Melbourne, Australia for my entire life. I love playing football and travelling. I speak a little bit of Italian as I have Sicilian background, but (until recently), I spoke absolutely zero Spanish. However, I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of effortlessly switching between languages, and BaseLang has made this genuinely possible, and in such a short time as well.

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

Well, I’ve got a four-month journey through South America on the horizon, starting in March 2024. I will be travelling through Patagonia (Argentina & Chile), Peru and then Colombia. I figured knowing the local language would be a game-changer for a few reasons, namely having the capacity to communicate with locals, but also being able to immerse myself more in the local culture.

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

Before BaseLang came into my life, I tried the whole language learning app scene. While they were okay for picking up a few phrases, they cannot even slightly compare to what BaseLang brings to the table. I feel like even 5 or 10 years of using these apps would not even rival what I have picked up in 2 months of BaseLang, and I really mean that. It is hard to practice conversational listening and speaking with these apps, whereas BaseLang offers a 1-1 class with a native, where you are forced to engage, listen and speak!

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

For me, the toughest nut to crack in learning Spanish was conversation. Sure, I could ace the vocabulary quizzes and nail down the grammar rules, but when it came to chatting with native speakers, it felt like hitting a brick wall, and I would always have a mental blank when trying to form sentences in my head. Well, what’s the solution? It’s honestly just constant practice, and constantly immersing yourself in the language – both speaking and listening. So you have two options, go to a Spanish-speaking country and communicate with locals, or you can join BaseLang, which is probably the closest thing you will find to being in a Spanish-speaking country. It is like a full language immersion from the comfort of your own home

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

Without exaggerating, I have gone from knowing zero Spanish to being able to hold conversations with locals in the space of 2 months. I genuinely don’t think any other program would come close to these results. Also, the teachers are amazing and I have so much fun chatting and communicating with them, and learning about their lives and cultures.

6. What specific feature do you like the most about this program?

To me the standout feature is the unlimited one-on-one Zoom classes with natives from all corners of the globe. This was a true game-changer. No more rigid schedules, no more limited sessions. I could learn on my terms – when and where I wanted, and expose myself to the language as much as possible! Furthermore, I get to learn slang from different countries, which is always fun!

In Bilbao, in the north of Spain, Sam catches a football match entirely in Spanish

7. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

Fast forward to today, and learning Spanish has become a source of pure joy. I feel more confident speaking and listening, and here’s a fun twist – I now chat with my Argentinian football friends in Spanish. It’s amazing how language bridges gaps and enhances connections. And I only have BaseLang to thank!

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

Would I recommend BaseLang? Absolutely, without a doubt. It’s the express train to Spanish fluency. I’m beyond grateful for stumbling upon this gem – it’s the best possible program for anyone serious about mastering Spanish.

So, if you’re gearing up for a linguistic (or travel) adventure, or just want to add some Spanish to your daily life, give BaseLang a shot. It’s not just a language program; it’s a doorway to a whole new world of communication and connection. Vamos y Dale Boca!