Hi! My name’s Shayna. I started Talk First because I know what it’s like to study a language for years and still feel stuck.

I’m a native English speaker, but I spent over a decade learning Spanish. Even after all that time, I often felt bored, unmotivated, and frustrated in class. I could answer questions about where I was from, what I did for work, and what my favorite foods were — but I couldn’t express my deeper thoughts. I didn’t just want to speak Spanish. I wanted to connect, reflect, and explore the world in Spanish.

Most classes weren’t built for that kind of fluency.

When I became a certified English teacher, I saw my students go through the same thing. They memorized grammar for years but still struggled to form sentences that actually sounded like them. The lessons were built for exams or travel, not for real self-expression.

That’s why I created Talk First.

It’s a program designed for advanced learners who want more than the basics. We skip the small talk and jump into deep, meaningful conversations — the kind that challenge you to think, feel, and connect. Yes, we still use grammar and vocabulary, but always in service of something bigger: helping you finally feel fluent and speak with confidence.

At Talk First, we help you stop overthinking and start speaking like yourself — in English.

Ready to finally feel fluent? Explore our programs and find the one that fits your voice.

More than five years later, I have helped English learners from around the world express themselves with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

At Talk First, we go beyond the basics. Instead of routine small talk, our classes focus on conversations that are engaging, curious, and — above all — human.

We believe language learning is more than grammar rules or vocabulary exercises. At its core, it’s about being able to express what you think, believe, feel, and want to say. It’s about connection.

That’s why our learners build fluency through meaningful discussions that encourage reflection, laughter, insight, and real connection — not just with the language, but with themselves and each other.

Because when conversations matter, learning happens.