Bilingual family

[sunnyshines23]

Hi, I'm a nanny and I work for a bilingual family where the father is English, but the mother is French. I am French as well and the lady asked me to talk to the children only in French, so that they can learn the language. The problem is that she doesn't do it herself(she said it is easier for her to speak English), so the children refuse to speak French now. All they say to me is that they understand (which is true, since they get what I ask them), but don't want to reply.
I don't know what to do anymore, since I can't be a translator and repeat every single sentence in two different languages. Basically I am the only one who speaks to them in French, but when they start asking "what" after every word, it gets quite annoying. We have a very busy schedule, so refusal to speak in English from my side is quite of a hassle, especially when we have to go somewhere. It takes time to get them to do something, when they refuse to admit that they understand.
Does anyone know any other approach which might work?

I would suggest talking to the mum about this. If they refuse she needs to get them onside.

Good luck Sunny, the mother is an arse. Sorry to be abrupt, she has to be on your side if she wants results and improvement. She should be the one making rules with her own children, not you. Make sure she understands that. Or sooner or later, she will make you responsible.

I did, she constantly says she will try to speak in French more often, but never does it (then puts the blame on me - as if I don't practice the language enough with the kids or something like that).
I just think that since I am the only person speaking French to them, the children think that it wouldn't be necessary and refuse to listen to me. I wouldn't blame them, but the whole thing just doesn't seem to work without the parents' help.

No it won't work if the parents are not on your side. It is hard enough as a parent to be heard by their own kids, let alone a stranger. How old are the children ?

Honestly, I'd look for another job....! Have a talk with her again, explain why it doesn't work. If it yields nothing then consider alternative options.

She's basically being lazy and farming this out to you.

Oh, this is not the only thing which she makes my responsibility, instead of hers. Anyway, both children are 5 yrs old. I love them very much, but when the parents turn out to be the issue - not the children, things get too tough.

Our new au pair mainly speaks French with my 5&7 year old. Though she speaks English with my 2 year old and ith me and DH. I speak basic French.

She uses lots of actions and makes the languages simple.. example tu mets tes chaussers...and pick up their shoes.

She is only an au pair, so doesn't really do homework with them. But they are picking things up. They are much less interested when they are tired, my 7 year old has a very late night activity on a Tuesday and she only speaks English after that.

So anyway, persevere, keep the language simple and use lots of actions and signs.

I like Karoleann's advice, give it a try but the GreatHunt got a point, talk to both parents again, try Karoleann's tactic and start looking for another job.

Thank you, I'll try to keep the language simple. I hope it will work..

In my experience you just have to go hardcore. Everything, including the stuff they love, is now in French with you. I've gone in to families teaching English from scratch and this is the only way that really works, and if you talk all the time it works fast. If the mother is serious about them picking up French she might need to accept that they will be late or miss activities. Not speaking French has consequences, speaking it brings (French based) rewards.

Children do go on langaugr strike. My son periodically refuses to speak one language and pretends he doesn't understand. We know full well he does and just continue but I suppose we're certain of his level because he's been raised with both since birth.

It is very, very hard, especially as a parent who speaks the other language fluently, to keep up a minority language. She will probably find it easier once their language skills reach a certain threshold.