How Does BaseLang Work? | FAQ on Unlimited Spanish Lessons

Updated Sep 2025

If you’re serious about learning Spanish fast, you’ll want the full picture of how BaseLang works. In this FAQ, we’ll walk through everything: unlimited lessons, transparent pricing, booking classes and choosing your favorite teachers, the different programs, how we measure progress, and much more...

On this page

Pricing & Guarantees

Is BaseLang really unlimited? Are there caps on daily or back‑to‑back classes?

Yes, Real World is genuinely unlimited. 

You pay one flat monthly fee and can take as many private 1-on-1 classes as you want, there are no daily or monthly caps. Some students take 1 hour a day, other students take 4 hours a day.

It's completely up to you. 

We have teachers available 24/7, so the only real limitation is your time as a student.  

What are the costs for your programs?

The monthly costs are as follows.

  • Real World - $179/month for unlimited classes.
  • Real World Lite - $99/month for up to 30 minutes per day
  • Bootcamp - $1200 one time payment or a 4 month payment plan of $325/month (total $1300).  

Does each program come with a trial period?

Real World and Real World Lite come with a 7-day trial for $1.

There is no trial for Bootcamp.

However, we welcome students to start with a Real World trial to get the feel for what BaseLang offers, and then if you like the general approach, you can upgrade to Bootcamp. 

We also allow students to cancel their Bootcamp program in the first 24 hours and receive a refund if they're not happy for whatever reason. 

How does the refund/guarantee work? Is there a catch?

Our Real World or Real World Lite programs come with a 35 day money back guarantee. 

This means if you don't love BaseLang, simply cancel within the first 35 days and contact to request a refund. Not only will you receive a refund, but we'll send you an extra $20 for wasting your time.


Refunds are straightforward for first‑time customers within the guarantee window. If you take a refund, you typically can’t rejoin later; see our Terms of Use page for more information.

Why does Bootcamp have a no-refund policy after 24 hours?

Bootcamp is an intensive, high-commitment program that requires a lot of upfront prep on our side (dedicated teachers, curriculum setup, scheduling blocks).

Because of that, once you start, we lock in resources for you. That’s why there’s only a 24-hour refund window; after that, we’re already all-in on delivering your results.

Booking & Scheduling

Can I start today and book lessons 24/7, even last minute?

Yes, you can start today and book lessons 24/7, even last minute, with the Real World plan.

You can sign up and schedule your first class minutes before it starts, and classes are available around the clock, 24 hours a day to accommodate any schedule.

What happens if I need to cancel a class? Is the schedule flexible?

Yes. 

For Real World students, you have the flexibility to book classes even at the last minute. If you need to cancel a class, you can do so easily on the platform. Teachers are paid regardless of whether you take the class or not. 

There's no penalty for canceling a class.

For Bootcamp, it works differently as students take classes on a fixed schedule and classes cannot be canceled on a whim. However, do allow Bootcamp students to reschedule classes 3 times throughout the course of their program.

How far ahead can I book, and can I favorite teachers for easier scheduling?

5 days for everyone; 7 days in advance with your favorite teachers.

If everyone is booking, will I actually be able to get the times I want?

Yes. We have a large pool of teachers online 24/7, so it’s extremely rare that you can’t get a class.

However, our booking process works on a first come first served basis. So the only scenario where you might find it difficult is where you want a class with a specific teacher at a specific time,  and are competing with a lot of other students for that slot. 

But in general,  most students find it easy to book same-day or even last-minute without an issue.

Teachers & Specialization

Are BaseLang teachers native speakers? From which countries, and can I choose accents?

Yes, teachers are native speakers from across Latin America, and you can choose by accent or specialty. Filter by country, skills, and interests. If you’re targeting a specific dialect (e.g., Argentinian or Colombian), you can also filter by nationality. Make sure you choose favorite teachers who match your preferences.

While we don't have teachers from Spain, we do have a number of teachers who can teach Castilian Spanish (from Spain). The only thing they can't replicate is the accent. 

How do I find, rate, or give feedback on teachers?

Browse profiles, try classes, favorite the ones you click with, and leave feedback after lessons. Teacher profiles include bios, schedules, and student ratings. Feedback helps you and others find the right fit.

Can I select teachers who specialize in Spain‑specific grammar or working with children?

We do have options for both of those needs.

Our core curriculum focuses on Latin American Spanish, but we recognize the need for Castilian (Spain) Spanish. We maintain a list of specific teachers who are knowledgeable about and can teach the Spain-specific grammar, such as the use of vosotros. You can see the list of teachers here.

Teaching adults and children requires different skills, so we also have a special group of teachers with experience in this area, though please note the minimum age for students is 8 years old. See the list of teachers who can teach children here.

Lesson Strategy & Programs

How should I use my lesson time: follow the curriculum or prioritize conversation?

For the Real World Unlimited plan, the best approach is to follow a blended strategy that maximizes the benefits of unlimited speaking time. If you are a Beginner, use a majority of your classes to systematically follow the structured curriculum (Levels 0-3) to build the core grammatical foundation and essential vocabulary. 

Once you reach the Intermediate level, you should start dividing your time. For example, doing one curriculum lesson to learn a new concept (like a new verb tense), and then immediately booking a second, purely conversational class to practice using that new structure until it becomes second nature. Since the price is flat, the unlimited classes are designed to give you the volume of practice needed for concepts to move from your head to spontaneous speech.

Real World vs Real World Lite vs Bootcamp: Which path is right for me?

The ideal BaseLang program depends on your time commitment and desired speed: 

Choose Real World if: You can commit to taking more than 10 classes per month (2.5+ hours per week), you want to see fast, sustainable progress, and you need the flexibility to book classes on the fly around a busy, changing schedule.

Choose Real World Lite if: You have a tight budget, can only commit to 30 minutes per day, or you are primarily using BaseLang for maintenance alongside other study methods.

Choose Bootcamp if: You have an urgent fluency goal (like an upcoming trip or move), can block out a fixed 2-4 hours per day, and want the guarantee of being conversational by the end of the program.You can see a more in-depth comparison of our programs here

Do I need travel immersion, or can I get conversation‑ready from home?

You can definitely get conversation-ready from home using BaseLang.

Forbes calls BaseLang "the closest thing to immersion you can get without moving to a Spanish-speaking country," 

By taking a high volume of classes, you get the constant, real-time speaking practice (the key ingredient of immersion) allowing you to replicate an immersive environment without leaving your home. 

What should complete beginners focus on in their first sessions to maximize results?

Your goal in the first sessions should be twofold: 1) Nail the Pronunciation of the alphabet and core sounds, and 2) Memorize High-Frequency Phrases for basic interactions (greetings, asking for things, expressing basic needs). 

Do not worry about complex grammar; instead, use the unlimited classes to have your teacher deliver the Level 0 lessons and then immediately practice those simple phrases in conversation to start speaking Spanish from day one.

Are private 1‑on‑1 lessons better than group classes for becoming conversational?

For becoming conversational, private 1-on-1 lessons are significantly better than group classes, which is why BaseLang focuses exclusively on them.

In a group class, you spend most of the time listening to others and waiting your turn, meaning you might get as little as 10-20 minutes of actual speaking time in an hour. 

With our 1-on-1 model, 100% of the time is devoted to you. You are constantly speaking, receiving immediate, personalized feedback, and progressing at your own pace, which is the fastest way to build confidence and fluency.

Progress & Levels 

How does the BaseLang curriculum actually work?

You don’t just hop on calls and wing it (unless you want to). BaseLang has a full step-by-step curriculum that takes you from zero to advanced. Each level builds on the last — you learn a concept in one class, then practice it right away in conversation so it sticks. Teachers keep notes, track your completed lessons, and guide you through the system at your own pace.

We explain the whole thing here: BaseLang’s Progression System: How It Works

How can I track my progress? And what does the progress score mean?

You can track your progress via a My Progress section on your dashboard, which uses a 10-level system from Level 0 (Survival Spanish) to Level 9 (Advanced). 

This BaseLang Level is a numerical representation of your level of conversational fluency and is calculated based on the number of Core Lessons and Electives you complete in the Real World curriculum. To advance your level, you mark lessons as complete after taking them with a teacher and then take a short test for that level, ensuring the progress score accurately reflects your achieved speaking ability.

How long to reach conversational/B1 if I study 30–60 minutes a day?

Based on our internal estimates, the time it takes a beginner student to reach a conversational level (B1) is directly proportional to your daily study time: dedicating 60 minutes per day will get you to conversational Spanish in about 3.5 months, while consistently studying for 30 minutes per day will take approximately 7.5 months. 

These timelines rely on the consistent and active application of your learning through our unlimited 1-on-1 speaking practice.

Motivation & Accountability

Will unlimited lessons help me stay consistent, or could I burn out?

Both are possible; it depends on how you use it. Some students go too hard at first (3+ hours a day) and crash. The sweet spot is building a sustainable routine: short, frequent lessons that keep you speaking daily without draining you.

Does BaseLang give me any built-in accountability, or is it all on me to show up?

BaseLang doesn’t force you to show up — that’s part of the freedom. But you don’t have to go it alone, either.

The curriculum gives you a clear roadmap, so you always know what’s next, and teachers track your progress as you move through the levels. Many students set recurring slots with a favorite teacher to add extra consistency.

Is BaseLang suitable for beginners? 

Yes, in fact most of our students start as complete beginners. That's why our curriculum starts with level 0, Survival Spanish.

The benefit of starting as a complete beginner is that you will learn the correct pronunciation from day one, instead of spending time undoing bad habits that you might have picked up. 

There is no need to "get ready" for BaseLang by studying before you sign up. Our programs provide everything you need, including a tons of lessons and a curriculum that will get you from zero to conversational.

Is it better to do short daily lessons or a few long ones each week for motivation?

Daily shorter lessons usually win. You’ll remember more, build a habit, and stay motivated. Longer sessions are great for deep dives or conversation marathons, but for consistency, most students thrive with 30–60 minutes a day.

Tech, Notes & Privacy

Where do classes happen?

All of our classes happen via Zoom, so whether you are on desktop or mobile, you can continue to take classes anywhere you go, via your desktop or mobile device.

Are class notes saved?

All teacher notes are stored in the My Class Notes tab. You can review them anytime and even filter by date or topic to quickly find what you need. This way, you always have a complete record of what was taught, plus your own personalized space for learning. You can also add your own notes after class. This could be anything from grammar reminders to new words you want to practice.

How does BaseLang handle privacy, especially around class recordings?

We follow our Terms of Use. 

We value the trust and comfort of our students and teachers above all else. We do not record your classes.

We briefly considered implementing class recordings for internal quality control and safety purposes, but upon receiving feedback from our community, we decided to immediately reverse that decision.

Your privacy is important, and the freedom and trust that create a comfortable learning environment for real conversation are what make BaseLang effective. Recordings are not taking place.

Comparisons to Other Platforms

How does BaseLang stack up against italki or Preply?

italki and Preply are pay-per-lesson marketplaces. You get a huge variety of teachers from all over the world, and you only pay for what you use. BaseLang, on the other hand, is flat-rate unlimited, take 2 hours a month or 60, your price is the same. If you’re serious about speaking and plan to take a lot of lessons, BaseLang usually ends up being way cheaper and faster for progress.

You can read our full breakdowns to learn more:
BaseLang vs italki
BaseLang vs Preply

How does BaseLang compare to Lingoda?

Lingoda works on a pay-per-class model with group and private lessons, usually in structured “sprints.” It’s good if you like fixed schedules and small group learning. BaseLang, on the other hand, is flat-rate unlimited one-on-one. That means way more actual speaking time, total flexibility, and no cap on how many classes you take.

See the full breakdown here: BaseLang vs Lingoda

How does BaseLang compare to SpanishVIP?

SpanishVIP also offers “unlimited” lessons, but the key difference is availability. Their model relies more on scheduling classes in advance, and students often say they can’t find lessons at odd hours or last-minute. BaseLang is truly 24/7 with tons of teachers, so you can hop into a class whenever it works for you. Plus, our curriculum and progress tracking are much more developed.