CHILDREN as young as four are learning to parlez with a touch of Francais.

Children in the reception class at Markland Hill Primary School have been enjoying weekly lessons in French conversation.

They also get involved in a spot of role-play in the "boulangerie", where they buy and sell their home-made baguettes -- made out of papier-mache.

Although foreign languages are not, as yet, a requirement of the national curriculum in primary education, Markland Hill is keen to encourage children to learn a language.

Assistant headteacher Ann Brants says: "I have always taken the register in French and Spanish and found that the children loved to hear different languages.

"I was surprised that so many of our four and five-year-olds have already learned some French before coming to school.

"After lunch on Fridays we all get together on the carpet for songs and a fun session of French conversation."

Headteacher Mrs Pat Beddows, realising the importance of foreign language learning, has introduced out-of-school French classes for pupils aged eight to 11.

She believes foreign languages are important for primary school children.

She says: "I believe it is very important. Most of Europe is bi-lingual and we should be the same in this country.

"The key to learning a language properly is speaking it -- we need to be able to converse in another language."

The classes are run by French teacher Mrs Judith Stamford and are very well attended.

There are currently 60 children taking part.

Mrs Beddows now would like to employ a member of staff to teach French as part of the curriculum but financial constraints currently prevent that.

The Government has set a 10-year target for language learning to be implemented in schools.