CHILDREN from across County Durham have been exploring how learning a different language could give them a brighter future.

Primary and secondary school pupils celebrated the European Day of Languages by practicing their linguistic skills through a range of activities designed to show Europe’s cultural diversity.

Children in Coxhoe Primary School were joined by Lingotot which teaches language classes to thousands of children in the community. It delivered fun all-day language sessions to pupils in Year 3-6.

Year groups 2-6 took part in a ‘Race around Europe’ competition on the schools running track, and every class in the school was responsible for creating an information board about a European country, with the chance of winning an exciting prize.

A £75 grant was awarded by the Europe Direct Information Service to support events organised by the schools.

Schools awarded the grant included Cotherstone Primary School, Hamsterley Primary School and Parkside Academy.

Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “The European Day of Languages is a great opportunity for celebrating the number of different languages that exist across the continent.”

“Research has shown that children who know two languages can gain an academic and social advantage. Children have an amazing ability to learn language but it’s important to know it’s never too late to start learning.”