Erhun Oztumer and Florent Cuvelier shared the importance of learning foreign languages with children at Walsall Academy in Bloxwich yesterday.
The players answered questions from children at the school, before Oztumer helped pupils to master some Turkish phrases.
Oztumer said: “It’s been a learning experience for me as well - it’s brought me back ten or fifteen years to when I was at school and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I wasn’t expecting the standard to be that great! Turkish isn’t really that common a language so it was really good, and I think if they do go on holiday to Turkey they will have a few things to say.”
Cuvelier also had conversations with A Level students, allowing the Sixth Formers to test their French skills with the Belgian midfielder.
He said: “Obviously coming from another country you can always relate to people who are learning to speak another language, and the standard was excellent.
“The club get involved in a lot of events like these and it is always good to come and give our experience from what we do on a daily basis.”
The Saddlers stars spoke about their experiences in the UK and abroad, and how knowing another language has helped them during their football career.
Leigh Milkamanavicius, Head of Languages at WalsallAcademy, added: “The lads have spoken really favourably about languages. We wanted them to get the students engaged a little bit more, and to help them understand the importance of languages.
“We can’t put into words how excited our students have been about today. The ones who have been selected to turn up have had the best time of their lives!”
Walsall FC Community Programme organise appearances with Saddlers players at schools and projects in the local community.
Paul Larvin, Manager for Education at Walsall FCCP, said: “We are proud of Walsall FC’s reputation as a ‘community club’, and try to engage with projects in the local area as much as possible.
“Education is a big part of the Community Programme and we are delighted Erhun and Flo could inspire these Walsall Academy youngsters.”