A Charlotte Mason Guide to Language Choice

When it comes to which foreign language Charlotte Mason families choose to study, French is at the top of the list. In this video, I’ll explain exactly why that is and why your family might choose a different language. 

Charlotte Mason said multiple times, “all educated persons should be able to speak French,” (Vol. 1, p. 300). Now, did she say that because French has a proven effect on one’s intelligence or morality that no other language has? Of course not. 

Charlotte Mason was a British educator living in England with her most active teaching and educational reform spanning from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, France’s role in the world and its relationship with England or Britain more broadly evolved significantly, shaped by political, economic, and military developments. 

Under Napolean III, from 1852 to 1870, France was a major imperial power, expanding its colonial empire in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. It was a leading cultural, economic, and military force in Europe.

France was also involved in global conflicts, like the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856 where it allied with Britain against Russia. Then after the fall of Napolean III in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, France entered the Third Republic, focusing on rebuilding its international prestige, expanding its colonial empire, and modernizing its economy. 

The late 19th century, known as the Belle Epoque, was a period of cultural flourishing, scientific advancement, and economic growth in France. Paris was a global center of art, literature, and innovation. 

Internationally, France sought alliances to counterbalance the rising power of Germany, culminating in the formation of the Entente Cordiale with Britian in 1904.

This was the world that Charlotte Mason educated in. There was a strong belief that speaking French was essential for educated Britons to engage with its influential neighbor, fostering cross-culutre understanding and intellectual exchange. Additionally, as an educator emphasizing a broad, liberal education, she saw French fluency as a key skill for accessing “living ideas” from French literature and philosophy, enriching personal development. You can see why she said, “all educated persons should be able to speak French” (300).

But if Charlotte Mason was planning your child’s education, in your family’s location, with different leading players in the world stage, would she still say, “All educated persons should be able to speak French”?

Of course not. That would disregard the totality of her philosophies and approaches, like living ideas, cultural engagement, global citizenship, and personal connection to learning.

​​A Charlotte Mason-inspired family choosing a foreign language today could approach the decision through the lens of her educational philosophy, which emphasizes living ideas, cultural richness, habit formation, and holistic child development.

As you’re choosing a language for your family, here are some key factors to consider, aligned with Charlotte Mason’s principles and adapted to the modern context:

First, global relevance to become a Global Citizen. Mason’s philosophy aimed to cultivate broad-minded, compassionate individuals.

While Mason’s era emphasized French due to its role as a lingua franca, today’s families might consider languages with widespread use in international contexts, such as but not limited to Spanish (spoken across Latin America, Spain, and the U.S.), Mandarin (dominant in global business), German (central to engineering and science,) Japanese (key for technology, cultural exports, and trade) or Arabic (key in energy, diplomacy, and Middle Eastern studies). A family might consider languages spoken in nearby regions or communities to foster real-world engagement, such as Spanish in the U.S., French in Canada, or German in Europe, aligning with Mason’s emphasis on connecting learning to life.

Another Charlotte Mason factor to consider is cultural and intellectual richness (or a focus on “living books” and ideas).

Charlotte Mason emphasized exposure to “living books”—texts rich in ideas, culture, and humanity. A family might choose a language that opens access to a wealth of literature, philosophy, art, and history, such as French (for its literary tradition), Spanish (for its global reach and cultural diversity), or Mandarin (for its ancient philosophical texts and modern relevance).

Mason valued immersing children in the broader human experience. A language tied to a culture with significant global influence—past or present—might be prioritized, such as Italian for its wealth of art, music, literature, and architecture, French for its historical role in diplomacy and art, Russian for its literature, ballet, and music, Greek for its democracy, philosophy, science, and literature, or Arabic for its contributions to science, poetry, and contemporary geopolitics.

Two more factors to consider are person-centered approach and habit formation.

Mason believed learning should be delightful. A family might choose a language tied to the child’s interests (e.g., Japanese for a child fascinated by anime, or Italian for one drawn to opera or art), ensuring engagement and motivation.

Miss Mason emphasized narration to internalize learning. Language that lends itself to early oral practice, such as one with accessible conversational opportunities (e.g., Spanish in many communities), might be favored to develop fluency naturally. However, with today’s ease of travel, you can always take an extended trip with your family to practice the language in another country.

 Because if you’re using TalkBox.Mom, you’ll be using the language with your family every single day.

Another two factors to consider are your heritage and family values.

For example, if your family has cultural or ancestral ties to a language, they might prioritize it to honor heritage, aligning with Mason’s emphasis on personal connection to learning. For example, a family with Italian roots might choose Italian, even if it’s less “practical.” Miss Mason’s philosophy was also deeply rooted in Christian values. A family might consider languages tied to religious or missionary work, such as French or Portuguese for outreach in Africa, or languages that open access to theological texts, like Latin or Greek.

The last two factors I would consider are long-term commitment and consistency.

Mason emphasized consistent habits. A family might consider their ability to sustain language learning over time, choosing a language they want to speak to ensure regular practice. Keep in mind that Miss Mason’s approach often involved the whole family in learning. So a language that parents or siblings can learn alongside the child might prioritize a language you’re interested in as the adult to create a supportive learning environment where you’re engaged. Charlotte Mason was very clear that education should be directed by the teacher or parent who provides structure, discipline, and worthy content.

For my family, we speak multiple languages and are in different stages of our language journey with the confidence and doability of the TalkBox.Mom Signature Program. Each language choice for us was intentional. We actually chose Spanish for several reasons. My husband’s family is from Mexico, so speaking Spanish gives our children a personal and relational connection to their heritage. Because we live just a short flight away from Mexico, we’re also able to use the language in context during visits, making it come alive through rich cultural experiences. And within our own community, Spanish gives us countless opportunities to engage with others and practice being global citizens—something Charlotte Mason would wholeheartedly support.

German ties into my family’s heritage, with roots in both Germany in the 1800s and Switzerland in the 1900s. Chinese was chosen for its global relevance while Japanese and Korean came from our children’s feast of Eastern Hemisphere texts and expanded as we traveled to those countries. 

In today’s interconnected world, any language you choose will open doors to new relationships and perspectives. The best language to learn is the one you’re excited to use—because, as Mason showed us, real learning happens when hearts are engaged and joy is present.