Most parents want their child to learn a foreign language, but few primary schools teach them. Jo Haywood finds out how 'fun French clubs' are trying to fill the gap.

CHILDREN fall over an average of 240 times before they take their first steps. Unlike adults, who would probably stay seated after the first couple of failed attempts as long as they had the remote control within easy reach, they are willing to keep trying.

It's the same with foreign languages. Youngsters are far more receptive than oldies. They are not afraid of having a go, failing and trying again.

It helps, of course, that they are also intrinsically fascinated by the rhythms and structures of language, are adept at assimilating new sounds and are not afraid of role play - anathema

to anyone over the age of about 11.

"The younger they start learning, the better," said Chris Howatt, a former secondary school French teacher who now runs La Jolie Ronde classes in the Vale of York. "They soak languages up like a sponge. They are very open to new things and not embarrassed about having a go."

Lord Adonis, the schools minister, intends to introduce a foreign language into every primary school by 2010 in an attempt to halt the decline in entries for GCSE French and German, which both fell by 14 per cent last year.

"I'm fully behind the plan," said Chris. "My only question is why we haven't done it before. I suppose we have been lazy in some ways. When we go abroad most people speak English, so why should we bother to learn their language?"

La Jolie Ronde and other similar language clubs are based on the principle that children learn better when they are having fun. Teachers seek to build links with the students' personal experiences by using songs and simple action rhymes. This technique means learning can start in nursery, with two and three year olds picking up every day vocabulary like 'hello', 'goodbye', numbers and days of the week.

"Our classes are all based around songs, stories and games," said Chris, who runs classes for four to 11 year olds. "The emphasis is always on fun.

"It's not just about accumulating vocabulary, it's about learning how to use a language. It's also about building confidence as much as anything.

"If a child starts learning a language in year one, they lose their inhibitions and feel free to fully use the language by the time they reach secondary school. It gives them a flying start."

La Jolie Ronde, which is used in more than 400 schools around the UK, doesn't introduce the written word until the children reach seven. The Government wants a more formal approach with languages in primary school.

Nineteen 'pathfinder' education authorities are developing a 'languages ladder' which emphasises listening, speaking, reading and writing. The ladder will work rather like the eight grades of music. Children will have their abilities assessed on a scale of one to 17 and be rewarded for each improvement with a certificate.

In time, the languages ladder is to be extended to embrace languages such as Urdu and Punjabi. For most children, however, French will remain the foreign language of choice.

"Spanish is easier to learn, but I can't see it taking over from French in the foreseeable future," said Chris. "It makes sense for us to learn French because they are our closest neighbours. And you can't deny it is a lovely language. It has a very attractive sound that children particularly like."

For more information about La Jolie Ronde, phone Chris Howatt on 01904 744396. Other clubs include Le Club Francais (01904 332663; www.leclubfrancais.com), Playfrancais (01423 870407; playfrancais@yahoo.co.uk) and El Club Espanol (01937 572213).

Updated: 16:09 Friday, January 06, 2006