Besides English, FALC teaches French, Lingala, Kimbala, Kikongo, Kipindi and Swahili. They teach the culture, customs, dress, dance, music and hair braiding of many countries. FALC teaches how to sew African clothing and African cooking and will cook for events. They also offer services such as translation, transcription and interpretation.

The center begins the language with conversation, because people want to start using the language right away, Hirst said.

"They want a practical approach so we start speaking the language immediately," Hirst said. "I will never speak to students in English. Of course, to speak correctly, you must also learn the grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary, which we teach in conjunction with conversation."

Hirst said anything taught at FALC is original because they are native speakers of the languages and experience the cultures in everyday life. The services are offered at different levels and to any age. Lessons may be taught to individuals or to groups. Hirst said advantages when learning in a group are students will have the opportunity to practice with one another every time they meet for class and also make new friends.

Lessons can be taught at the center or FALC can teach in private homes, offices, coffee shops or the park and schedules are very flexible, Hirst said.

"The fact that we all interact with different people from all over the World, we all need the FALC," Hirst said. "Educational institutions, social services, churches, health services, legal services and families all have reasons to work with the FALC for tutoring, interpreting, translating, explaining and exchanging different ideas, cultures and their different ways of living."

"We make sure that every single second spent at the FALC counts and our customers step out with a lesson clear to use right away," said Hirst. "After learning a specific foreign language our customer should be able to communicate in a foreign country."

The benefits offered by FALC are many, Hirst said. A second language is a skill sought by many employers. A trip abroad will be more rewarding if you can relate to the people. Students enrolled in other language classes may need a little extra help and home school students can get the foreign language credit they need.

Hirst guarantees the "classes are friendly, the atmosphere relaxed and the emphasis is on having fun while you learn."

Hirst would like to add that FALC has the mission to ease international communication and to break culture barriers that exist between different people from different parts of the world.

For more information or to register for classes, call 217-4071, e-mail falc@falclearning.com or visit www.falclearning.com.