DESPITE years of being taught foreign languages in schools, most Brits still think the best way to communicate with our European neighbours is by speaking at them slowly and loudly in English.

Tomorrow, North-East pupils will be saying bonjour to two of their sporting heroes, as European footballers attempt to show youngsters that there is a better way.

Laurent Robert, Newcastle United's France international midfielder, and his French team-mate, Olivier Bernard, are to visit both Ryton Comprehensive School and Ryton Community Junior School in Gateshead.

The players will join classrooms in the hope of tempting young fans to learn foreign languages.

Steve Brent, assistant head at Ryton Comprehensive, said: "The pupils here are very excited and the staff at the junior school are delighted.

"Being taught by your heroes has got to be a terrific motivation to do well.

"Football is almost like a religion here and, by involving footballers, we hoped to increase motivation, particularly among the boys.

"We think it is excellent that the club and the players are prepared to do this."

The school is a designated Language College and sends French teachers into the neighbouring junior school.

The exchange aims to foster ability and interest in French at a young age - and avoid the stereotype of Brits on holiday talking in patronising tones to waiters.

"Our lack of language skills abroad is embarrassing," said Mr Brent. "As a school, we have targeted the fact that we have got to start languages at an early age.

"At the moment, we are concentrating on French, but maybe we can get Nobby Solano in and do some Spanish as well."

This afternoon, Robert and Bernard will spend an hour with Year Six pupils, aged ten and eleven, at the primary school, before meeting with Year Seven children at the comprehensive, which has Language College status.

The scheme is part of a drive involving footballers from all the Barclaycard Premiership clubs, that aims to boost pupils' linguistic confidence. Hazel Greener, of Newcastle United, said: "We have players who speak Spanish, Greek and Portuguese as well as French and we are hoping they can take part, too. It makes the lessons so much more interesting," she said.