STUDENTS at a County Durham school have been learning Latino-style from their South American guests.

Brazilian teachers Eliana Edmundo and Gelcines Rodencz have been giving lessons at St Bede's Comprehensive School, in Lanchester.

They are taking part in a foreign exchange and have brought 16-year-old student Keila Silva with them.

The teachers are spending a fortnight with citizenship co- ordinator Kevin Radford, while Keila is staying with sixth- formers Amy Nesbitt and Cathryn Whittaker, both 17.

Students have been learning about Brazilian myths and legends as well as some of their popular heroes including football legend Pele. They have learned about the country's cuisine, such as torta da pao, or bread pie, and in music lessons they have been learning how to samba.

Mr Radford said: "This is about global citizenship and learning about other countries.

"It gives the children a chance to learn about different people.

"You get an appreciation of other cultures and an exchange like this is the experience of a lifetime, not just for students, but staff as well."

Mr Radford, Amy and Cathryn, along with technology teacher Victoria Bennett will be flying to South America on Friday for the second leg of the exchange. They will attend a school in Sao Jose Dos Pinhais, Parana, southern Brazil.

Mr Radford said: "Brazil is so different from other countries that people tend to visit.

"I have always been attracted to South America because it is so exotic."