VISITORS to a Breightmet school are greeted with a happy “hola!” thanks to a former pupil who has set up a Spanish class there.

Chris Abalain is an area organiser for language school Le Club Français, which specialises in classes that the whole family can take part in.

He has set up a number of after-school clubs in the town, including one at Leverhulme Primary School in Breightmet, which is based on the same site as the school Chris attended as a boy.

Chris said: “Family clubs help parents get more involved. Parents can learn exactly what their children learn and they can help each other understand, as well as having fun in the process.

“It also eliminates the feeling of helplessness many parents have when their children need help.”

Chris’s father was Dutch, so he grew up in a bi-lingual household, but his first encounter of learning a second language at school was when he started having French lessons.

He said: “We learned numbers and the usual things but also some French songs, which really sparked my interest.”

Chris studied Dutch at university and decided he wanted to give others the same opportunities he had.

There are more than 5,000 LCF centres across the country and each one has the same ethos — to have fun learning. Activities such as singing, playing, cooking and drama are designed to make it more interesting for the children, but also means the learning is associated with everyday activities.

Chris said: “We use well-established language teaching methods that are far and above what many adults expect from primary school language teaching.

“There are many things that we combine, such as using a song or craftwork to intertwine with the language learning, making it more seamless and less obvious that the child is learning.

“Also, it’s incredible fun. I’ve been told many times that children have sung their French songs all the way home, which is immensely satisfying.”

Belinda Kennington attends the after-school club at Leverhulme Primary School with her daughter, Phoebe, who is nine years old.

Belinda said: “It’s brilliant when we go abroad. So many English people visit Spain, but so few try to speak the language. It’s nice for them to have visitors who understand what they are saying.”

Belinda says her daughter’s favourite activities at the classes include interactive bingo and dancing.

As well as the class at Leverhulme Primary School, Chris runs language clubs at Premier Nursery in Heaton, St James’ Church in Breightmet, and at Blackrod Primary School from next term, with two more in the pipeline.

To find out more, call Chris on 07917 848745, email lcfchrisabalain@sky.com or visit lcfclubs.com/chrisabalain