A SPANISH-SPEAKING mum has started teaching Witney children as young as two to sing and speak a new language.

Helen Hamm, who is originally from Venezuela, began volunteering at a local nursery several months ago, and now has big plans to set up her own Spanish class for children.

She sings Spanish songs to the children, such as Cabeza, Hombros, Rodilla y Pies, which is Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

She said teachers and parents have been amazed to see the youngsters pick up the lyrics so quickly.

Mrs Hamm, who lives in Minster Lovell with husband Matt and children Diego, seven, and Carmen, four, said: “My husband is English and everyone I know speaks English.

“I was looking for somewhere to take my little boy, when he was born, so he could be somewhere he could speak Spanish.

“I couldn’t find anywhere in Witney or in Oxford, then one day I was in the nursery volunteering and I was singing a Spanish song.

“The teacher was very impressed and said it was so good. She said why don’t I come in and do it every Tuesday and Wednesday.”

The volunteer sings well-known songs, such as If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, in Spanish and does the actions so the children can join in.

She said: “Children are like sponges. Some of them refuse at first but then they do it, and it’s incredible how quickly they pick it up.

“It’s immediate, it really is. I was trying to teach my mother-in-law with her friends and she just said it was amazing that the children were picking it up so quickly.”

Mrs Hamm, who is a mechanical engineer when she is not singing in Spanish, is now keen on setting up her own Spanish class for children at the High Street Methodist Church.

She wants to spread the word to see who would be interested in coming along.

She said: “I would do a class in the morning for babies to five-year-olds, and then one in the afternoon for four- to 11-year-olds.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the class can contact Mrs Hamm on 07861 253282.