A NEW class has been set up in York to help young children learn foreign languages.

Louise Lawrence has set up the Lingotot franchise in the city to help children aged eight and younger learn modern foreign languages in after school clubs and classes for pre-schoolers from next week.

Louise, 42, studied languages at university and has lived in Angers, France, and Osnabrück, Germany, and will begin by offering classes in Spanish and French to pre-and-primary school aged children, but plans to offer German and Mandarin in the near future.

The mother-of-two said: "I am starting with Spanish and French, but I’d really like to hear from anyone interested in German, Mandarin or Arabic too, as often people don’t realise these language classes are available for their children. It's also a great opportunity for small groups of home educated children to get together and learn a new language."

Modern foreign languages are a compulsory part of Key Stage Two learning, but some primary schools lack the language skills to provide classes, which is where Lingotot steps in.

The company currently delivers lessons to more than 10,000 children every week in community classes and primary school lessons around the country, and is accredited for Key Stage Two children.

A free taster class for pre-school children and their carers will take place on Tuesday, May 2, in the Community Room at Tesco, Askham Bar. French lessons start at 9.30am, and 10.30 for Spanish.

To book a place go to lingotot.com