Toddlers take on French lessons

Pre-school children on Teesside, along with their families, are being given the chance to learn French.

The toddlers from Grangetown will be among the first in the country to learn a foreign language, as part of the nationwide Sure Start scheme.

The youngsters, some as young as two, will join in interactive sessions where only French can be spoken.

Together with their families, they will follow stories through videos, songs and puppets.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is supporting the initiative with training and involving 14 primary schools, who are choosing between French and Spanish lessons.

Jim McElwee, the council's consultant for modern foreign languages, who has led training for staff at Sure Start and the primary schools, said: "We're the first education authority in the country to organise this on such a co-ordinated level.

"It's not just about teaching children a foreign language, it's all the activities that fit around it, such as learning to work together, listening to each other - it's a perfect match for the Foundation Stage profile.

"Teachers are learning, too - many of them can't speak French or Spanish when they start the training."