Customized Spanish instruction now offered in Cape Region

¿Hablas español? ¿Un poquito? Here’s a chance to learn or practice one of the world’s most widely used languages.

Two coastal Delawareans this summer launched First State Spanish, a company that provides a variety of Spanish-speaking services to businesses and individuals.

“We’re excited to fill a much-needed niche in this community,” said First State Spanish Director Mimi Campbell, who has more than 25 years of experience in language instruction and Hispanic marketing. “It’s our philosophy that learning Spanish shouldn’t feel like a complex puzzle. We make it enjoyable.”

Offerings include four community group classes that start the week of Sept. 19 at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach.

First State Spanish is a division of Lewes-based BilCom Group, a bilingual communications agency that since 2003 has provided professional translation services that help businesses and nonprofits connect with Spanish-language clients.

Patricia Rivera, owner of BilCom Group, said her agency has provided targeted language training to various employers in Sussex County, including Beebe Medical Center, Happy Harry’s pharmacy and Nanticoke Health Services. Delaware clients that have benefited from BilCom’s professional translations include Harvard Business Services, MedTix, Mountaire Farms, Nemours Foundation and Perdue Farms.

“We stand apart from other institutions that are offering Spanish in that our instruction is highly customized. We work hard to determine exactly how each client plans to use the language and then create lessons to fit that need,” Campbell said.

First State Spanish’s services for businesses and individuals include the following: one-on-one and small group lessons for adults and children to learn Spanish faster and practice their skills; tutoring for students to raise their confidence and performance in Spanish class; written translations and oral interpretations to better communicate with Spanish-speaking clients or employees. These services are handled by the team of certified translators at BilCom Group.

First State Spanish also offers workplace Spanish training to quickly learn the targeted vocabulary and phrases for any given industry. Services include classes for employees, or, for small business owners, a quick four-hour program that focuses on phrases and words in their industry. Both include a personalized manual for use on an ongoing basis.

In addition, there are community classes to develop efficient conversational skills. The fall session, eight-week classes for $175,  starts the week of Sept. 19 at Epworth UM Church in Rehoboth Beach. Classes include Mami y yo: Fun Spanish for preschoolers ages 2 to 5 and Moms, 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays; Misión cumplida: Basic Spanish for Business. 12:30-1:30 p.m., Tuesdays; Cuéntame: Storytelling in Spanish for Kids, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays and ¿Asi?: Basic Conversational Spanish for Adults. 6-7:30 p.m.,Thursdays.

To learn more about First State Spanish, visit www.firststatespanish.com or call 302-360-8444.