Why a Spanish Immersion Program: This Helped Me Speak Fluently
Charlie’s Journey From New York to Tijuana
“I remember when I was a kid in New York… we had these tiny Spanish classes. I could say ‘Hola, buenos días’, but that was it.” — Charlie
In a recent podcast conversation between with Charlie—a Spanish learner originally from New York—we got an inspiring glimpse into how a mix of persistence, travel, and immersion helped one person fall in love with Spanish and the culture of Tijuana.
How Traveling to Latin America Sparks Motivation to Learn Spanish
Charlie’s Spanish learning journey didn’t begin in a classroom—it began with a humbling travel experience.
“I thought I could speak a little Spanish… but when I went to Guatemala with my best friend Rosario, I realized I couldn’t connect with her family or the community. I felt like there was a barrier between us.”
This trip sparked a personal mission to go beyond the basics and truly learn Spanish—not just for travel, but to build real relationships.
Learning Spanish During Quarantine: Turning Free Time Into Fluency
When the pandemic hit, Charlie—like many—found himself stuck at home. But instead of pausing, he leaned into his goal.
“I had a lot of time during quarantine… so my Spanish-learning journey really began then.”
He explored online Spanish classes, including schools based in Oaxaca and Monterrey, and later discovered Baselang—a program that gave him two hours of daily Spanish instruction.
This intensive approach helped him build vocabulary, improve Spanish pronunciation, and gain the confidence to speak in real conversations.
Why he took a Spanish Immersion Program? And why in Mexico?
Eventually, Charlie took a bold step: he moved to Tijuana for a one-month immersive experience at Centro de Aprendizaje y Desarrollo (CAD).
“It wasn’t just two hours a day. It was my whole life in Spanish—stores, taxis, Ubers, everything.”
Tijuana, a vibrant border city, turned out to be the perfect place for cultural and linguistic immersion. For Charlie, learning Spanish in Tijuana offered a unique mix of Mexican culture, real-world conversation, and friendly locals willing to help him practice.
“I’ve always been fascinated by border cities… where cultures and languages mix.”
The experience gave him much more than grammar or vocabulary—it gave him belonging.
Practicing Spanish Daily: U.S. vs. Mexico Immersion Experiences
For many learners in the U.S., finding spaces to practice Spanish can be surprisingly hard. Charlie explains:
“In Los Angeles, I’d try to order in Spanish at a restaurant, but if my Spanish wasn’t perfect, they’d just switch to English.”
That kind of switch can make learners lose confidence. It’s why he believes traveling—even short trips across the border—can boost your learning significantly.
Understanding Spanish Dialects in Latin America to Improve Communication
“It’s all Spanish, but it’s so different from country to country.”
One of the biggest lessons Charlie learned was the importance of focusing on a specific dialect when trying to improve your Spanish fast.
At first, he was exposed to Spanish from Spain, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Mexico—all at once. It got confusing.
“I finally decided: I’m going to learn Mexican Spanish.”
By sticking to one variation, he was able to better understand grammar patterns, common expressions, and regional slang like curada (a word that means “cool” in Tijuana).
Book a Spanish tutoring session to see if an Spanish Immersion program is best for you
Best Tools to Learn Spanish Through Immersion
If you’re wondering how to learn Spanish fast while still keeping it fun and practical, Charlie’s routine is full of valuable tips:
1. Change Your Tech Settings
“Switch your phone and social media to Spanish.”
This simple trick helps train your brain to process the language daily.
2. Let the Algorithms Work for You
“I see 100% Spanish content on YouTube now. It’s all about what you consume.”
Watching videos in the dialect you want to learn—like Mexican Spanish—makes a huge difference.
3. Listen First, Speak Often
“Listening is the first step. Then comes speaking.”
Whether through podcasts, movies, or casual chats, consistent exposure to spoken Spanish helps your ear adapt to different accents and rhythms.
4. Read and Mark New Words
“I highlight every word I don’t know. After I finish a book, I review and translate them.”
This approach builds vocabulary contextually, which helps with retention.
5. Have Weekly Conversations
“Even 10 minutes a day can keep your fluency sharp.”
Speaking regularly—even short chats—helps maintain flow and pronunciation accuracy.
Thinking About Learning Spanish? Why a Spanish Immersion Program is the Best Way
“Don’t be afraid to talk to people—in Ubers, restaurants, anywhere. Ask questions. That’s how you end up having a 30-minute conversation about life.”
Charlie encourages learners not to aim for perfection, but for presence. Show up, speak, stumble, and try again. It’s the only real way to learn Spanish through immersion.
Tijuana is a Hidden Gem: My Immersion Experience in Tijuana, Mexico
If you’re looking for Spanish immersion programs in Mexico, Tijuana might not be the first place that comes to mind—but it should be.
“I don’t think my experience here would have been the same if I didn’t speak Spanish.”
Charlie is living in Tijuana and commutes to San Diego for work. Soon he’ll be back in New York, but it won’t take long for him to come back to Tijuana.
If you’re wondering how to learn Spanish fast or whether Spanish Immersion Programs really works, his journey is proof that it does. Of course, you need to know, Charlie is a person with a passion for culture and languages.
“Gracias, Daniela. This was my first podcast… hopefully the first of many.”
