Glacier: Is an au pair whose mother tongue is English a good choice? Glacier has hundreds of au pair cases to tell you the truth!
When parents are looking for an au pair, the first thing they think of is that they want an au pair who is a native English speaker, as if this is the only way for their child to learn English well. However, Glacier has been working in the au pair program for many years and has served hundreds of families, and we have found that the right au pair is the best, and an au pair who is a non-native speaker but is fluent in English may be able to understand your child better!
Don't get caught up in the “mother tongue obsession”: 3 hidden advantages of non-native au pairs
Did you know? More than 40% families in Courtesy's caseload end up choosing a non-native but fluent English speaking au pair with a much higher level of satisfaction. They have advantages that are often overlooked by parents:
1. Better understand the “pain points” of children learning English.”
Au pairs who are non-native speakers learn from scratch themselves, and are well aware of their children's struggles with pronunciation, grammar, and difficulty in speaking. For example, Anna, an au pair from Germany, uses “word cards + situational games” to teach her children to memorize words, rather than speaking complex sentences like a native speaker would do - this is much friendlier for children with a weak foundation in English!
2. Free unlocking of “second foreign language”
Want to expose your child to German, French, Spanish? Au pairs who are not native speakers are natural teachers! The Zhang family in Shanghai chose Luis as their Spanish au pair. Not only did their child's English improve quickly, but they also learned to speak Spanish on a daily basis (e.g. “thank you”, “hello”, “I love you”), and they were able to show off their skills at every family gathering. ), and every time the family gets together, they can show off a few phrases, which gives them a great sense of accomplishment.
3. More patient “companions”
When teaching English to non-native au pairs, they will slow down the pace of speech, repeat key phrases, and use body language to support understanding. For children who are shy and afraid to speak up, this “slow-paced” guidance can help them build up their self-confidence more quickly - the Li family in Beijing, which was served by Courtesy, had a child who was afraid to speak to a native-speaking au pair, but after changing to an Italian au pair, the child now speaks English every day! After switching to an Italian au pair, the child now shares interesting school stories in English every day!
Second, the screening criteria of the Court of Leahy: regardless of the mother tongue or not, “fluency + professionalism” is the hard standard
Worried that your non-native au pair's English is not standardized? Don't panic! Collegiate has a rigorous screening process to ensure that every au pair meets the English language needs of the family:
- English proficiency test: Au pairs are assessed for pronunciation, fluency, and grammatical accuracy through a professional speaking assessment tool, and only au pairs who have achieved “near-native proficiency” will be admitted to the candidate pool;
- Multiple rounds of interviews: The au pair's au pair's communication skills and patience will be tested in simulated everyday scenarios, such as “If the child can't say an English word, how would you guide him/her?”. ;
- Background check: Verify the au pair's educational background, childcare experience, no criminal record, etc. to ensure safety and reliability.
In a nutshell: The non-native au pairs recommended by Gerlach are not inferior to native speakers in English and know how to teach children!
Third, how to choose? 3 Personalized Suggestions from Gerlach
Native or non-native au pair? It all depends on your family's needs:
1. The child has a weak foundation in English → choose a non-native fluent speaker
If the child is new to English or is afraid to speak up, a non-native au pair's “slow-paced guidance” is more appropriate and can help build the child's confidence;
2. Children's advancement in English → choose native language
If the child is already fluent in conversation and wants to improve his or her accent and authentic expression, a native English-speaking au pair (e.g., from the U.S., U.K., or Canada) can bring a more authentic language environment;
3. Want a second foreign language → choose a non-native language
If families want to expose their children to more languages (e.g. German, French, Spanish), a non-native au pair is a “two-for-one” option - learning English and unlocking a new language!
Fourth, the Court Laixi: not blindly follow the wind, only do “accurate matching”
As an organization that specializes in intercultural education (summer school, study abroad for younger students, and au pair programs), Collegiate never recommends a one-size-fits-all program. We do:
- In-depth understanding of your family's needs (child's English level, personality, whether they want a second foreign language);
- Provide 3-5 qualified au pair candidates;
- We assist families with interviews, give professional advice and help you find the au pair who is most “in tune” with your needs.
For example, for the Wang family in Shenzhen, the children were introverted and their English was not very basic, so we recommended Marie, an au pair from France - not only was she fluent in English, but she was also very patient, and now the children not only dare to speak English, but also fall in love with the French culture!
Conclusion: Intercultural education is centered on “fit” rather than “labeling.”
The value of an au pair is never “a tool to teach English”, but a cross-cultural partner for your child. Glacier hopes that every family can find an au pair that is truly suitable for their children, so that they can grow up with their children and broaden their horizons through cross-cultural exchange.
👉 Click on [Court Laixi Au Pair Program] to consult with a consultant for personalized matching advice; you can also learn about our summer school and younger study abroad programs, which allow your child to explore the world on a broader stage!