Swindon pupils speak 91 languages

Up to 11 languages are spoken in some classes

The number of children speaking English as a second language has risen in Swindon with 91 languages being spoken in the town's schools.

An Indian dialect, Konkani, is most widely spoken followed by Polish, Bengali and Portuguese.

Children speaking English as a second language has risen from 6.5% in January 2007 to 8.5% in October 2007.

According to the figures collated by Swindon's Primary Care Trust it is the highest rise in the south west.

The rise has put more pressure on budgets and resources in Swindon's schools.

Dr Nick Capstick, head teacher at Drove Primary School, said: "In most classes you can have up to 11 different languages spoken.

"Normally a teacher will explain something once or maybe twice and most of the children will get it.

"If you've got 11 different languages you really have got to find innovative ways of showing it physically, visually - all sorts of different things that will actually make a child latch on to what you're trying to teach."