It may seem an odd connection, but in England football is being used to help children learn new languages.

Watching professional football (or ‘soccer’ as it’s also known), it would seem you’re more likely to pick up bad language in its various forms than anything you’re able to use in conversation.

But Arsenal football club has become involved in the British Education Minister’s drive to get all primary school kids learning a foreign language by 2011. With the team consisting of players from x different countries, and a French manager, it seems a great spot to get kids sneakily learning whilst distracting them with something they’re possibly more interested in.

I’m not sure how much you’d use “goal”/“tor”/“o golo” in every day life, but it’s definitely a start!