The content of the article
Our answer: worth it! This is confirmed by international studies and more than 30 years of experience working with an English nanny selection agency for nannies and governesses from England and France. You just need to start studying not at school age, but much earlier. You can invite a foreign nanny to the house even to an infant who has barely started to walk. Or to a kindergarten kid. Will this be an unbearable burden for the child's psyche and fragile brain? Not at all. Foreign language lessons can be turned into an interesting game, to which qualified nannies and governesses from the UK will attract all households.
Mom, Dad, I am a bilingual family
The question of whether a child can master two (or even three) languages is not even posed in houses with an environment of natural bilingualism. If a German dad asks for the salt at breakfast (“Führen Sie bitte das Salz”), and a mother with American roots sings lullabies in her native language (“Hush, little baby, don't say a word, papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird "), the baby willingly learns to understand several dialects at the same time. This happens easily, without pressure and special didactic materials - completely unconsciously.
Another thing is acquired bilingualism. According to Valentin Grogol, director of the Russian office of English Nanny, only a true native speaker (who is the invited English-speaking nanny) can teach speech without an accent. And these will not be dry topics on the topic “Moscow is the capital of Russia”, but lively, direct communication on everyday topics. In addition, English nannies in Russia are as well informed as possible which language norms have already gone out of use. Take the same modal verbs will and shall - today you will meet them except in textbooks. Yes, and slang cannot be learned from the Russian Maryavannoy, who has never left the country.
The most effective, but also the most expensive training-education scheme looks like this:
- From the age of one, a nanny from England has been engaged in a child;
- at three years old a Frenchwoman joins her: ladies work in shifts;
- by 4-5 years, a tutor from another country (Germany, Spain, Italy or China) appears in the house.
Thus, by the time a child is sent for the first time to first grade, he is already fluent in at least three languages other than Russian.
My tongue is my friend
Families who can afford to pay for the work of governesses from London or other parts of the world expect that the learned language will help their children pave the way to a successful career, travel the world safely, and make interesting friends.
An educational moment is also important. The main thing is to give good motivation. For example, you can not wait for the Russian dubbing of the film with your favorite actor, but watch it with the original soundtrack.Or read iconic books in the original. And communicate with peers, not limiting the search for interlocutors with the borders of their country.
What else do babysitters and tutors from London give:
- lessons of good manners and decent manners;
- respect for work;
- instilling a love of learning;
- broadening the horizons;
- education of a cosmopolitan attitude to the world;
- immersion in an unfamiliar culture;
- communication skills on any topic (the famous English small-talk).
Also, an English tutor will help prepare for school or entering a foreign university. It orientates in the world of sporting events or art classes. Turns boring homework into a fun process.
In the process, parents also replenish their language baggage with new words and turns. They ask the nanny questions about how the day went, leave orders, going to work. If the level of knowledge is not enough, moms and dads use online translators on their phones and laptops, communicating with the nanny via SMS or instant messengers. The situations “don't understand yours” can be avoided if the babysitter speaks Russian at least at a basic level. However, the services of such specialists are more expensive.
Features of national studies
English governesses in Russia are not just women who are ready to "sit" with a child in the absence of adults for a certain amount of money. Their mentality must be taken into account when drawing up a contract.
According to Valentin Grogol, director of the Russian office of English Nanny, the natives of foggy Albion are quite punctual citizens. They do not allow themselves to be late for service, but when they arrive at home, they expect clear instructions and timely task setting from the employer.
For example, if the parents planned an evening out, then they should not only pay for the work of the nanny at a double rate, but also in advance to warn her about this at least a week in advance. The English "housekeeper" may refuse, if she herself has plans for this evening. And one must be prepared for this. After all, a nanny with knowledge of the English language is primarily a teacher, and only then a person who carries out supervision and care.
It is advisable to entrust the selection of nannies from the UK to experts in their field. The home staff recruitment agency guarantees that employees have all the necessary documents in order:
- diploma of education;
- medical insurance;
- health certificate;
- permission to work abroad;
- letters of recommendation.
Acting as an intermediary, the agency, including English Nanny, warrants for each teacher. And I’m ready to offer a replacement for a foreign teacher at any time when necessary. Together with parents, agency employees strive to revive aristocratic traditions, when knowing only one language is considered bad form, and knowing several is the key to success.