TEACHER Katie Mayne is hoping to greet lots of toddlers with a warm “Bonjour” over the coming months as she establishes her French classes for pre-school youngsters and their parents in Malvern.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Hereford, gave up her job teaching French and German at Aylestone School in the city at the end of the summer term to set up her own business called Fab-u-Lingo.

The language teacher decided she wanted to help young children get a good grounding in French before they start school and have traditional language lessons.

“I just wanted language to be really fun by telling the children stories and singing songs in French. I worked with children in a similar way before in Germany,” said Katie.

To make the sessions, at Lyttelton Well, Malvern, good fun she uses a cuddly toy/puppet Pierre the monkey – or as French people would say Pierre le singe – who only speaks French.

She said: “The philosophy behind the groups is for the children to have fun while having the opportunity to sing songs in French and take part in activities and games involving French. We do not do anything written – it is focused around fun and play and a lot is focused around songs.

“Many studies have shown that pre-school children are very responsive to acquiring a new language and will be much better at pronunciation than if they wait until they start school.

“Other research has shown that the benefits go beyond learning a language with children learning a second language scoring much higher in maths and English tests, as it helps develop the children’s cognitive abilities.

“I think when you are relaxed you naturally take in information better and more easily. I want them to have a really positive view of learning language.”

Katie, who runs the toddler and parent sessions in both Malvern and Hereford, said her classes are currently about half full and those who try it have come back for more.

“I am absolutely delighted with the response. Most people have found out about it through Facebook or by word of mouth. They have done so much better than my prediction.

“I am really excited about it. Getting people to come along for the first time is hard but they stay when they have come once.

“I just thought it was the right time for it. People are interested in education and this is something a bit different. It is going really well.”

For more information about Fab-u-Lingo visit http://www.fab-u-lingo.co.uk/french-classes or ring 07792 404451.

Katie’s youngest pupil is just a year-old but she describes her a “very advanced”. “She is doing really well. She has amazed me. Most of the children are three or four.”

She added that because the children are so young they are willing to have a go and are not embarrassed if they don’t get it quite right.

“The parents are very supportive towards the children who come along. They think it will be a really useful skill for the future. It is an opportunity to do something different and they are definitely parents who want the best in terms of education for their children.”

She also does private tuition, after school clubs and nursery classes but admits it was a bit scary deciding to give up her teaching job in Hereford. “It was quite a scary decision because I did not know whether it was going to go well but I felt it was the right time to take the chance.

“I absolutely love it and it was a really good decision.”