David Beckham learning French

The 37-year-old England soccer legend is determined to learn the language so he can communicate well in press conferences, reported Daily Star online.

He has seen fellow Englishman Joey Barton be ridiculed for his attempt at a French accent while he has been playing for Marseille and he doesn't want the same thing to happen to him.

Beckham wants to avoid a repeat of the cringe-worthy press conference given by Marseille star Barton in which he spoke English but in a peculiar French accent.

"Becks isn't daft enough to make Joey's mistake. He has gone to great lengths to make sure he has a decent command of French. He wants to talk to the players, fans and the media in French. He's booked a tutor in France and has courses on his portable devices," a source said.

David, who will live in a hotel in Paris while wife Victoria and their four children will stay in London, has begun lessons to talk to teammates and fans and when he cannot have classes he has a language course on his iPhone and iPad.