Mom Defends Decision to Teach Her Kids French Over a ‘More Useful’ Language, Despite Not Being a Native Speaker (Exclusive)

In recent years, Michelle Bruni has emerged as a prominent voice in the realm of bilingual parenting, attracting an impressive following of over 287,000 on TikTok. Her journey in raising her children in French, despite it being her second language, has ignited significant discussion and controversy, particularly regarding the practicality of her chosen language.

Bruni, a linguist with a doctorate focusing on bilingualism, has faced criticism from various quarters. Some social media users argued that she should opt for a language deemed more practical, such as Spanish, particularly during her time living in California. Many have questioned her decision to teach her children French, a language she learned herself, rather than one that is frequently perceived as more utilitarian in a diverse linguistic landscape.

“While living in California, I noticed a tendency for people to dismiss my choice of French over Spanish,” Bruni remarked. “There appears to be a widespread assumption that Spanish is the more ‘useful’ language.” Yet, she contends that the notion of a language’s usefulness is fundamentally subjective, arguing that any language is valuable provided it is actively used in communication. For her family, French serves that purpose.

Concerns have also arisen regarding her non-native speaker status, with some critics worrying that Bruni might unintentionally pass on grammatical errors or a noticeable accent to her children. Addressing these anxieties, she emphasised the lack of research supporting the belief that non-native speakers are detrimental to a child’s language acquisition. “There is no evidence suggesting that non-native parenting negatively impacts language development,” she clarified.

Bruni further stressed that accents should not be viewed adversely. “So what if she has an accent?” she posed. “What really matters is that my child is bilingual. Everyone has an accent, even in their native languages.” Her stance highlights an acceptance of linguistic diversity, advocating that the essence of bilingualism far outweighs concerns about perfection.

Despite facing scrutiny, Bruni continues to share her experiences and insights online, which she believes provide reassurance to other parents contemplating similar paths. “I frequently receive direct messages from parents expressing their gratitude for finding my account. They appreciate the confidence it gives them in raising bilingual children,” she shared, highlighting the support she’s able to offer.

Many of the messages she receives come from individuals who initially felt inadequate for not being “perfect” enough to teach a second language. Bruni’s journey demonstrates to them that fluency isn’t a prerequisite for effective bilingual parenting. “When they see a non-native speaker like me successfully navigating this journey, it often gives them the assurance that they, too, can raise their children to be bilingual,” she reflected.

Bruni has unwittingly cultivated a supportive online community that she cherishes. “I never expected to establish such a connection with other bilingual parents through social media, so I am thrilled that it has happened organically,” she said, as she shares various resources and day-to-day activities that promote language use.

At the heart of her advocacy is the notion that linguistic excellence is not a requirement for raising bilingual children. She hopes to convey to parents that they need not strive for perfection in their language skills or adhere to rigid expectations. “I want families to understand that success in bilingualism can look different for everyone,” she noted.

Bruni encourages parents to define their own metrics for success. Whether that entails navigating conversations with grandparents in the home language or achieving literacy in both languages, each family can establish what works best for them. Ultimately, she is adamant about broadening her children’s horizons through language. “Why confine your child to a single language when you can offer them access to a richer, more diverse world?” she questioned, encapsulating the ethos of her journey and the message she hopes to impart to fellow parents.