Pupils at Langley School, Chedgrave, run with the Spanish flag and their workbooks at the first Spanish Double Club, an educational project learning a language through football. From left the 11-year-olds are, back, Jenkins, Annabel Wykes, and Joshua Davies. Front, Emily Chapman, and Ruby Ayers. Picture: Denise Bradley

The language of Spanish is being brought to life for Norfolk schoolchildren thanks to the help of a Premiership footballer.

Picture by Andrew Tobin/Focus Images Ltd +44 7710 761829 01/09/2012 Javier Garrido of Norwich in action before the Barclays Premier League match at White Hart Lane, London.

Norwich City’s Javier Garrido is supporting Norfolk County Council’s Spanish Double Club and yesterday while he was recording a voiceover for the scheme, children at Langley School, Loddon, were the first to begin the course.

The Year 7 children spent 45 minutes in the classroom and then a further 45 minutes on the football field as they learnt some of the basics of the language.

The educational project, which is funded by Routes into Languages East, aims to teach children Spanish using football terminology, with voice clips of Mr Garrido teaching the language to be used in the classroom during a six week period.

Study centre manager Paul Wickens said the project wanted to use football’s multinational base to show the important of speaking languages.

“It is a motivational way of seeing the relevance of speaking languages,” he said. “We teach numbers, colours and positions on the pitch, in an active way of learning.”

Norwich’s centre-back Daniel Ayala had been involved in the scheme, so when he left on loan to Nottingham Forest Mr Wickens said he was a little concerned, but fortunately the club signed his compatriot shortly afterwards.

n For details of the programme, call 01603 218757.