How 1-on-1 Spanish tutoring helped Jack from Long Island travel the world and speak Spanish with confidence

Jack, a professional in his 30s, has a busy career but a deep passion for travel and building connections with others. 

Although he understood basic Spanish, he struggled with speaking and often froze during conversations. “My biggest fear was sounding silly or making mistakes. I felt stuck and didn’t know how to move forward,” Jack admits.

With a trip to Mexico coming up and a need to communicate better with his Spanish-speaking colleagues, Jack turned to Wiingy’s online Spanish tutoring to avoid the frustration of finding a local tutor.

Why Jack started Spanish lessons

Jack knew mastering Spanish was essential for his trip to Mexico and improving work interactions with Spanish-speaking colleagues. While he had tried learning on his own, he needed a more structured approach to overcome his anxiety and confusion.

Determined to enhance his Spanish, Jack began searching for a tutor within his local area. The frustration of trying to find an experienced tutor close to home led him to search for a more accessible solution. “Apps couldn’t give me real-time feedback,” he says.

Finding a Spanish tutor locally proved frustrating, but Wiingy stepped in to connect Jack with Camila Obregon, a native speaker, without location limits. “Finally, lessons fit my schedule and goals,” he shares.

Real class insight: What Jack worked on with his tutor Camila

Jack’s lessons with Camila Obregon were centered around building confidence in speaking Spanish. 

From their first lesson, Camila identified Jack’s primary struggle: his hesitation to speak. She introduced practical scenarios that Jack could relate to, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions, ensuring the lessons were both useful and engaging.

Conversational practice:

One of Jack’s biggest struggles was his fear of speaking. 

In their lessons, Camila introduced mock travel situations where Jack had to order food at a restaurant or ask for directions. Camila encouraged him to practice speaking freely, even if he made mistakes.

 “Jack, just speak. The more you try, the more comfortable you’ll get,” Camila advised. Slowly but surely, Jack began to feel less anxious and more confident about using Spanish in real situations.

Grammar made simple:

Another obstacle was understanding and using correct articles in Spanish, such as “el” vs. “la” or “un” vs. “una.” 

Camila made this easier by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks. For instance, she explained the importance of gender in Spanish by associating familiar objects with their gendered articles. 

“For the table, it’s ‘la mesa’- that’s feminine, so we use ‘la.’ For the dog, it’s ‘el perro’- that’s masculine, so we use ‘el,’ ” she explained. This simple breakdown helped Jack master this tricky concept.

Confidence-building:

As Jack’s lessons continued, his confidence grew. 

He started to embrace mistakes as part of the process. Camila helped him overcome his fear of not being perfect by focusing on real communication. 

“Don’t leave blank spaces in your sentences, just go for it,” Camila advised. Jack soon found himself speaking with more ease and less hesitation.

The outcome: Jack’s transformation

Jack’s transformation over the course of his lessons was remarkable. When he traveled to Mexico, he was able to engage in conversations with locals, order food, and ask for directions- all in Spanish. 

“For the first time, I felt like I was a part of the community. I didn’t have to rely on a phrasebook anymore,” Jack says. 

He recalls a moment when he ordered food in Spanish at a local restaurant and felt completely comfortable. “I never thought I could do that!” Jack exclaims with a smile.

Back at work, Jack also found himself more confident in interacting with his Spanish-speaking colleagues. 

“Before I started my lessons, I would freeze up during conversations. Now, I can engage with my colleagues without feeling self-conscious,” he shares.

What you can learn from Jack’s journey

1. Progress is possible at any age or level:
   Jack’s story shows that it’s never too late to start learning and that anyone can overcome language barriers with dedication and the right guidance.
   
2. Personalized coaching targets your goals faster than apps/classes:
   By focusing specifically on Jack’s travel and work-related needs, Camila’s lessons were highly effective and helped him progress faster than if he had been using a general language app.
   
3. Mistakes are part of the process—confidence comes with practice:
   Jack’s journey is a great reminder that mistakes are not setbacks but stepping stones to mastering a language. Confidence builds as you practice and keep trying.

Try it yourself – book a free trial

Are you struggling with speaking Spanish or feeling stuck in your language learning? Book a free trial lesson with one of our expert tutors today! Whether you’re looking for: 

Spanish tutors in Hempstead, NY,
Spanish tutors in Brookhaven, NY,
Spanish tutors in Islip, NY,
Spanish tutors in Oyster Bay, NY,

Wiingy’s online platform connects you to expert tutors who can help you improve your language skills.

You Get:

• A customized Spanish plan for travel, work, or daily life.
• Practice with native-speaking tutors who provide real-time feedback.
• Overcome your biggest language hurdles in a supportive 1-on-1 environment.

Start your journey today and discover how focused, 1-on-1 Spanish lessons can accelerate your progress.

Meet the tutor – Camila Obregon

Camila Obregon is a passionate Spanish tutor with over 10 years of experience teaching students of all ages and proficiency levels. 

She specializes in helping students build confidence in speaking through practical, interactive lessons. 

Camila’s approach is warm, patient, and focused on real-world language skills, ensuring her students feel empowered and ready to use Spanish in everyday situations.

See more transformation stories

Footnote:
Student’s name has been changed for privacy.