This article reports on a two-year project located within one local authority (LA), Brighton and Hove City Council, which was selected in 2003 to become a Primary Foreign Language Pathfinder. The main aim of this Pathfinder was to work with 18 other LAs across the country to pilot fresh approaches towards delivering foreign languages in the primary sector. A case study approach was adopted involving a sample of four local primary schools. Research tools included individual and group interviews, questionnaires and classroom observations with data collected from children, parents, teachers, headteachers and City Council co-ordinators. The conclusions indicate that the broader aims of the project were largely met, with eight emergent challenges identified which could usefully inform the design of subsequent models of good practice in early foreign language learning. (Contains 1 figure, 1 table and 1 note.)