Is it the Beckham effect or the fact that more and more families are buying homes abroad?

Whatever the reason, an explosion in the number of people taking up Spanish courses is good news for teachers who are being recruited to colleges across Sussex to cope with increasing class sizes.

Some believe the renewed interest is down to England captain David Beckham's move to Spanish side Real Madrid.

While courses in German and French are falling or staying level, colleges across Sussex have had to set up extra Spanish classes.

Peter Sanders, assistant principal at Portslade Community College, said: "There has been a massive increase. I don't think we have ever had seven beginners' classes. We actually got to the point where we had to stop putting classes on because there were just too many people."

Mr Sanders said the college had increased the number of Spanish classes from 11 last year to 14.

It had also introduced one GCSE course and an advanced conversation course.

He said: "Some are calling it the Beckham Effect but I don't think it is all down to that.

"I think it is more of a swing to the sun. It might be because of Beckham but the whole profile of Spain has been raised recently.

"People seem to be relating more to Spanish than they do to French or German and many more are buying homes in the sun.

"But the whole of the Brighton economy is an international economy. For example, if I went to the Grand hotel to get a job it would no doubt be good for that."

Other educational facilities also reported sharp increases.

At City College there has been a 23 per cent increase in classes, with more starting in the new year.

A spokeswoman said: "Talking to different lecturers it appears there has been an increase in people's interest in Spanish culture and an increase in things such as samba and salsa classes.

"The property market in Spain is also booming and people seem to be going there much more. Spanish is also the second biggest business language after English."

Brighton-based Cactus Language, which helps people keen to learn languages find courses abroad, said Spanish had always been popular.

Product manager Sarah Gooding said: "I would say Beckham has definitely made it more trendy and cool with the whole moving to Madrid thing.

"It has definitely upped the numbers.

"But I think people have always wanted to take Spanish courses. It is the most popular language we offer.

"Beckham has certainly done a lot for the profile of Spain. But our most popular destinations are either Barcelona or Havana."

The company, which has been running for five years, helps people learn the language in the country itself. Trips can last from just a week to up to a year and courses are offered in dozens of different languages.

For more information, log on to www.cactuslanguage.com or call 01273 725200.

Friday November 07, 2003