CHILDREN as young as three at a Calne school said ‘oui, oui’ when they were asked if they had enjoyed the recent European Day of Languages.

The pupils, who start learning French as soon as they enter Kindergarten at St Margaret’s Preparatory School, were full of enthusiasm for lessons taken by the Head of Modern Languages, Mme Nathalie Colesby.

The children in Years 1 to 6 were treated to a visit from the Freshwater Theatre Company, where productions of Goldilocks, and The Three Little Pigs were enjoyed by all. Mme Colesby said: ‘The performances were in French and some of the children told me they didn’t understand all the words but they still managed to follow the story and really enjoyed it.’

In addition to the theatre shows, the children also had the chance to practise their language skills, with even the youngest pupils singing songs in French and learning the words for different colours.

The older children were encouraged to speak in French, Spanish and German and also learnt that although children in other countries had a different language, they shared many of the same likes and dislikes.

Mme Colesby said: ‘All of the children seem to really enjoy learning a foreign language and are very open about trying to speak it.’ She also said that they enjoyed using computers and tablets with games in French, in order to help improve their vocabulary and learning without even realising it.

"Children begin lessons in French as soon as they are in the school’s Kindergarten and pupils in Year 6 are also taught Spanish. Extra-curricular clubs provide opportunities for learning German, Spanish and Mandarin."