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Original poster

Foreign nanny to teach baby to become bilingual?

32 replies

ChampagneLassie · 13/12/2021 18:41

This might be a crazy idea but would it be feasible to hire a nanny who speaks another language and ask them to talk to the baby in that with the hope that the baby becomes bi-lingual? Or am I just being daftly ambitious. Neither me or my partner speak anything other than English.

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Babyiskickingmyribs · 13/12/2021 19:21

Yep. This will work. It’ll be far more effective than any baby classes or anything like that just because of the the sheer number of hours involved. But the nanny will need to play along and only speak her native language to the child. And you may find the child starts to understand that language extremely well but is to speak it. And as past poster’s said, if you don’t follow up with some consistent opportunities to use the language once you no longer need a nanny the child will lose those language skills.

Original poster
ChampagneLassie · 13/12/2021 19:17

@MrsFin

I think the Cambridge children's nanny has taught them Spanish.
Yes I heard that. Spanish might be an easier idea than the Mandarin. I've not run these ideas by my partner. He may not be quite as keen.
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ChampagneLassie · 13/12/2021 19:13

Yes if we did this my intention would be to continue this with lessons / school etc since posting this I've read a bunch of stuff and it all suggests learning languages are only good - even if that one isn't continued.
I'm fancying Mandarin - as I think it will be the most useful in the future and b/c I just came across a lovely sounding nanny who is native speaker. Just found there are two Mandarin nurseries in London which could be an option when older

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MrsFin · 13/12/2021 18:50

I think the Cambridge children's nanny has taught them Spanish.

Kanaloa · 13/12/2021 18:48

Is there any reason why it would be necessary? I think in the very early baby years it would make more sense for the person who will be caring for the child full time to speak to them in the language they will speak most of the time.

I understand if the child will grow up bilingual but if the only person they will talk to in that language is the nanny is it a good idea for them to be speaking that language most of the day? There’s so much to learn already.

Figgygal · 13/12/2021 18:46

But what's the point if neither of you speak another language? What language do you pick if it is a completely random notion?
Genuinely interested

EileenGC · 13/12/2021 18:46

If the nanny is native in that language, it should work. As long as you’re thinking about a long-term nanny and there are strict instructions for them to only use that language, no English, even outside the home. Even at the very beginning when the baby might not understand anything.

If the nanny will leave once the child goes to school, you need a plan on how to maintain the level they’ll have achieved. Saturday school or afterschool nanny in that language, holidays to that country… They should learn the basics of reading and writing too.

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