Recently, Grade Three pupils from Nanguo Affiliated Primary School of South China Normal University chose to pick up a third language and learn Spanish.
The students have lessons once a week. The teacher teaches them commonly used phrases, such as where they come from or what their favourite food is. The lessons also serve as an introduction to European culture. At present, there is no examination.
Zhang Suxia, the school's headmaster, says most pupils are interested in the course and think it is fun.
'We planned to start Spanish courses two years ago,' she says. 'Nowadays, one who can speak fluent English has no advantage over others. Equipped with one more foreign language, students can get more opportunities in the future.'
According to Zhang, the school had discussions with the parent council and consulted some linguistic experts before starting the course.
'Parents basically support our decision,' she says.
Ma Li is one of the parents supporting such classes. Ma says children have great potential for learning languages and they are sure to master three or four foreign languages if inspired properly.