A Paris-based British translator, and author of a new book on bilingualism, has shared her tips for raising bilingual children in France, and busted some of the common myths about kids raised with two languages.
From worries about slow language development to tantrums, raising children speaking two languages is not always easy.
Nicky Gentil is a British translator based in Paris, where she has lived since 1988. Raised in a monolingual household, she went on to study languages at Oxford University, earning a degree in French and German before launching her career as a professional translator.
Together with her French husband, she has raised two children in a bilingual environment, an experience that inspired her to write Bilingual Parenting. Through the book, she shares her experiences with other parents who are raising children speaking more than one language.
We asked her for her top tips for other parents;
The common myth
One of the most persistent myths is that children raised with two languages will take longer to start speaking.
In reality, while some bilingual children may appear slightly slower to speak at first, Gentil emphasises that this is not a cause for concern. Even medical professionals often reassure parents that minor delays are normal.
“Many children exposed to two languages from an early age develop both simultaneously and go on to use them fluently”, she said.
READ MORE: ‘Existing in the space between languages’ – The downsides of being bilingual in France
Age advantage
The brain, often compared to a muscle, “is strengthened by the mental “workout” of managing two languages”, explains Gentil. Some studies even suggest advantages in areas like problem-solving and mathematical thinking.
Gentil spoke of cognitive psychologist and psycholinguist Steven Pinker’s theory regarding the fact that the brain is like the palate in the sense that it, too, is malleable. At a certain age, that malleability is lost, which makes it harder to acquire languages.
Gentil also supports Pinker’s idea that the perception of the language learning ability should be perceived as a necessary tool for a child’s survival. In other words, as a child starts to move around, they must be able to understand basic instructions like “don’t jump in the lake” or “don’t go near the fire”. Their lives depend on these words, which demonstrate the speed at which they assimilate the language of their environment at such a young age.
Basically, once a child has developed the language skills needed to function in their environment, their innate capacity for effortless language acquisition is no longer as essential. That also explains why it’s more difficult to learn languages as an adult.
Personal challenge
For Gentil, one of the most difficult aspects of raising her children bilingual was getting used to speaking two languages with her husband in everyday life. “At first, it felt unnatural to maintain separate languages within the same conversation. But over time, it became easier”, she said.
It was also important for her and her husband to establish strict rules to follow.
Both always spoke in their native tongue, and their children grew up knowing that speaking with their mother was always in English and French with their father.
Gentil believes that the key is consistency, and it’s important to know that language learning is not a fixed endpoint but an ongoing process. Maintaining both languages over time requires continued exposure and use.
READ ALSO: 6 tips for raising bilingual children in France
Natural speech
The single most important piece of advice for the author is to keep language use as natural as possible.
“Parents are not language teachers, they are caregivers”, said Gentil. Speaking to children in one’s native language creates emotional connection and consistency. “Speaking a non-native language at home without necessity can feel forced and may not be effective”, she adds.
In some cases, external support like books and movies, nannies who speak a different language, or language teachers can all help introduce a second language more naturally.
Gentil also believes that structure is very important. Whether families choose a “one parent, one language” approach or divide languages by context (speaking a certain language at home and another one in public), the key is to maintain clear boundaries. With consistency, children can adapt quickly and more confidently.
“It’s also important to remember that perfection in any language is an unrealistic goal – even for monolingual speakers”, added Gentil. And with bilingual children, the aim is not absolute perfection but high-level fluency.
Nicky Gentil’s book Bilingual Parenting will be published at the end of April 2026. Find more details here
