AN Abingdon primary school was alive with different languages as children took part in Mother Language Day.

All the pupils at St Edmund’s School, in Radley Road, took the day off from their normal classes and were instead given a different language and country to focus on.

They learned languages, tried the food and devised games linked to the different countries.

The countries chosen were Spain, Greece, Italy, Bangladesh, Japan, Sweden and Germany.

Marion Hendy, 10, who studied Greek culture during the day, said: “What surprised me most is that when they say yes they shake their heads and when they say no they nod their heads.”

Natalie Dryden, six, who studied Spain, said: “I enjoyed learning the language the most.”