Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard's broad Aussie accent has baffled US schoolchildren to the point at which they asked her whether English was spoken Down Under.

In Washington, DC, to discuss green jobs and education, Ms Gillard confessed she had puzzled American youngsters after talking to them for a few minutes.

What did you say? ... Julia Gillard. Credit:Rob Homer

"I have visited two schools in Washington where the kids asked me, after listening to me, whether or not we spoke English in Australia," she told Macquarie Radio on Friday.

"That Australian accent is foxing them a bit."

She was invited by Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, to attend the Excellence in Action Summit to discuss education reform including national curriculum, teacher quality and transparency.

Ms Gillard is also meeting with senior Obama Administration officials during the trip.

AAP