“I’m finally learning a language the way it’s meant to be learned” #BaseLangStories

When Tony’s engineering career introduced him to Mexican coworkers and his love for salsa dancing brought him new friends, he wanted more than just the basics—he wanted real conversations in Spanish. With BaseLang, he’s found the structure, routine, and confidence to finally make that happen.

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 Antonio DiSalvo. I’m originally from Ohio, but I now live in Huntsville, AL.

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

Once I began my career in engineering in 2017, I met a lot of coworkers from Mexico and would sometimes travel there. At the same time, I began learning salsa and bachata in my free time. As a result, I made a lot of new friends who were native Spanish speakers. I was exposed to more of the Latin culture during the next few years as well. I became intrigued with the Spanish language and developed a desire to understand and communicate with them more effectively. Today, that desire serves as my main motivation for learning Spanish.

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

In the past, I used to learn Spanish mainly from free language learning apps widely used by most beginners. In an effort to become more well-rounded, I’d practice my skills by listening to, translating, and even singing Spanish songs, watching children’s TV shows in Spanish as well as texting Spanish speaking friends.

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

Before BaseLang, I struggled mostly with getting enough exposure to real world conversations with native speakers. I felt that I was making progress with basic grammar and vocabulary through the language learning apps. However, when it came to actually using my knowledge to have a face to face conversation, I was not able to speak without long pauses to think about how to translate my thoughts to words. I didn’t have a good method of building regular conversations into my routine, which I felt was the most important and rewarding part of learning Spanish.

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

There was no obstacle that was preventing me from signing up for BaseLang. I had the available time and resources. I was just looking for a program that could fill in the gap in my ability to make noticeable progress and boost my confidence in my ability to speak with native speakers face to face. Before finding BaseLang, I did not know if a program like that existed.

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

As a result of signing up with BaseLang, I found more structure, well roundedness, and practical exposure in my learning journey. I found plenty of helpful, engaging teachers who are accommodating to my specific skill level. I also found a comprehensive curriculum that provides a clear path to progressing into an advanced Spanish speaker. For these reasons, I have continued using BaseLang as my sole method of learning Spanish for 6 months now.

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

I love that I have the ability to learn from a variety of teachers with different personalities and teaching styles. I love that I can schedule unlimited classes whenever I want, so I can build a routine that works for my schedule. At this point, I take classes at regular times each week and have established my favorite teachers for learning new content from and others who I enjoy just having casual conversations with.

8. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

After 6 months of using BaseLang, I feel much more confident in my ability to have everyday conversations with native speakers. I feel a much greater sense of accomplishment now that I have experienced such a noticeable boost in my progress. A goal of mine is to one day be fluent in at least three languages, and now I can say that this goal is much more attainable thanks to BaseLang.

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

I would definitely recommend BaseLang to whoever may be experiencing struggles in applying their accumulated knowledge in everyday conversations or even to a beginner who is looking to see noticeable results in a short period of time. I recommend this program because unlike common apps, you learn from real teachers who are there to help you along your journey. They are much more attentive and personalized to your needs than any self guided app could be.

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

“…I was finally learning a language the way it was meant to be learned – through regular exposure and the ability to try, fail, and learn from your mistakes.”

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

I would recommend getting into a routine with scheduling classes each week. I personally average about 2 – 3 hours each week. I recommend establishing your favorite teachers and finding ones that are best for different types of learning. I have teachers I use for learning from the curriculum and some that I enjoy having casual conversations with about their country’s traditions and culture. Find a routine that works for you and stay consistent! Have fun with your lessons. Remember that the teachers are there to make the class whatever you want it to be. Think outside of the box for new ways you can add some uniqueness to your learning.