PUPILS from Longton Primary School, Rainford and Garswood Primary School, St Helens, will be able to sing along with German singing star Detlev Jocker when he gives performances on his visits to the schools on March 27.

Detlev is well known and loved by children in Germany through his television appearances, concerts, cds and song books.

This year has been designated European Year of Languages, making the concerts in the two St Helens schools an ideal opportunity for young children to take part in this European wide celebration. Longton Lane Primary has regular video conferencing links with Germany and the children from both schools are already learning German and will benefit from this opportunity to sing along with Detlev.

Parents and teachers from other schools are also welcome.

Catherine Chester, Language teaching Adviser for the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, said: "There is presently a growing interest in teaching modern foreign languages to primary age children and our research is showing just how enthusiastic teachers and children are."

She is visiting the town on March 26 to talk to primary teachers about current practice in teaching foreign languages in primary schools.

The tour by Detlev has been organised by the Goethe-Institut, Manchester in conjunction with Mrs Trish Smith, Adviser/Inspector for Modern Foreign Languages in St Helens.