BBC Radio Kent teaches foreign languages

BBC Radio Kent afternoon show presenter Pat Marsh has been helping locals in the county brush up on their language skills ready for an influx of visitors for this summer’s Olympics.

The show has teamed up the Visit Kent tourist board to get listeners learning a range of phrases in different languages over the last six weeks.

Along with producer and co-host Laura Earl, Pat has been welcoming volunteer ‘Kent Greeters’ into the studio in Tunbridge Wells each Monday afternoon to pass on top tips to avoid offending international visitors coming into the country via Kent for the games this summer.

Even the jingles and traffic and travel information was translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch and Arabic!

Pat said: “The pride and enthusiasm that the Kent Greeters brought to our listeners, was incredibly infectious. They made me realise just how easy it is for us all to share our passion for Kent, with visitors from overseas.”

Paul Leaper, managing editor for BBC Radio Kent, added :“It was a pleasure to welcome in a selection of Kent Greeters to hear for ourselves their knowledge and enthusiasm for our great county. The Olympics and post-Olympic period are important times to make visitors especially welcome and now BBC Radio Kent’s listeners have had the chance to hear first-hand what our visitors can expect over the coming months.”