took Coucou's online placement test and was placed into an intermediate-level class. Unfortunately, the placement was not accurate. There was no real evaluation, just an online quiz, and when I arrived in the class, I quickly realized after a few sessions that it didn't match my needs at all. The class was pure conversation with no grammar explanations, no structure, and no rules, which made me feel completely lost. I actually needed more grammar-focused support, not just conversation. When I tried to switch levels, I wasn't offered a proper solution. Instead, I was only given about 70% credit for my remaining classes, with a two-month expiration. I couldn't use it because I was traveling, and their response time was slow, so the credit essentially became useless. Overall, I was disappointed with how the placement was handled and how inflexible the school was in helping me find the right level. I expected a more supportive and structured experience. read more

For nearly $500 for a group class for 10 sessions- go elsewhere! The reason I selected Coucou is because Coucou touted themselves as "teaching French... with a focus on conversation and informal interactions, all the while following a thorough grammar curriculum." The classes focused 95% on grammar, with conversations limited to my teacher, Angele who asked each student what they did for the weekend/ what did we do since we last met, and we answered in French. She reviewed our homework by having each student read their homework out loud in French. She corrected our grammar and accents. Her teaching style was abrupt and rushed. Not welcoming or encouraging. She didn't look at our homework, so who knows if our spelling was correct? She followed the exercises in the handbook, with each student taking a turn to answer. The only visual aid was a chalkboard. When the teacher wrote in the board, we all hurried to copy down her points, then she stood in front of the board, so we couldn't read it. A smart board would have been a much better option. I only made it to the 6th class, because when I struggled to answer, Angele said nothing -no prompting from her- and it was embarrassing to sit there with no help from the teacher, with total silence in the class. She did this also to another make student. It made me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Isn't the teacher supposed to prompt? I've taken Latin, Spanish and Italian classes taught by professional teachers, and they always prompted you. As another reviewer said, the teachers seemed more excited to see each other than their students. I'm now having more success with my French using free YouTube lessons - "The Complete French with Dylane." read more

Coucou French Classes - Outside of Coucou - Language Schools Near Me - New York, New York

I spent over $2000 on CouCou classes (I had never taken a French class before this, only Spanish in high school and college) and had a decent experience at the beginner level (0-2). But each level of the $450 (or more) classes moved quickly, and I realized by Level 3 that I was drowning. I couldn't keep up with the instructor or the class participation even with daily study on my own in between classes. My teacher said I shouldn't be there if I was not comfortable with everything in Level 2...this was the first I'd heard this...so I asked to switch out to repeat Level 2 (I'd never received any guidance about what to do if you're not tracking with the pace of the class). Mind you, I was paying for all of this at every step, even when it wasn't working for me. They told me that it was against their policy to let students switch to appropriate levels once the class had begun. There was no solution, so I feel that I've lost quite a bit of money here. read more

As you can see from the many other reviews, this company values profits over people. I implore you to read all their policies very very carefully because you will most likely end up paying way more than you anticipated. They are sure to charge you extra costs for just about anything and everything and they have zero care or concern how you do and if you finish the classes as long as they are paid. Horrible, abysmal customer service. I switched to FIAF after 2 courses and private lessons here (they didn't honor half my private lessons) and I'm progressing at a much faster rate because the school actually cares about how I do. read more

After using Duolingo for 3 years during and post-pandemic, I was ready to take my French learning to the next level and practice speaking with actual people. While expensive, Coucou is an incredible option and resource for anyone looking to learn French in NYC. It is so fun to be surrounded by people with the same goal as you, with teachers that want to see you succeed. And they have such a fun slate of non-class workshops and events as well! I was planning on taking a break after Level 3, but signed up for Level 4 immediately after as I had FOMO thinking about leaving my classmates and teacher behind (shout out Géraldine!!) Highly recommend if you're looking to take your French learning offline and into a real classroom! read more

This little French school is great! I am an English speaker looking to learn French. This place assessed me perfectly and enrolled me in a perfect fit. There are many options, once or twice a week, online or in person. The teacher was great! The duration was just right. The materials were exactly appropriate. The price is very reasonable compared to other options I considered. I look forward to the next level. You won't be disappointed at Coucou. read more

The pandemic gave me a lot of time to refresh on my french. This is a great institute - every single teacher that i learnt from, was simply amazing. And each lesson was very interactive, with the whole class being encouraged to participate. I felt like i learnt something new every time. I fully recommend their classes, as well as the ad-hoc events and workshops they host. read more

I have taken French classes in several different places throughout the years as well utilizing apps like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, etc. Naturally, some are better than others. I signed up with Coucou because the rates are pretty good but I didn't expect it'd be too different than Alliance Francaise, Fluent City, etc. Well, they exceeded my expectations. Their teaching method is by far the best, at least for me. My instructor, Melissa, was born to teach. She is super friendly, knowledgeable, and makes learning fun. Each class seems to go by quickly. The rest of the staff is excellent too. They are prompt with email inquiries and patient in answering the plethora of questions I have. I look forward to taking the next level. read more

Beware --profits over people! This is a poorly run business. As someone else pointed out in the reviews, they are not accommodating for class changes and life circumstances and seem intent on keeping money for services not provided. Even though there was a waiting list for a class I signed up for (and an email was sent asking if anyone needed to cancel to let them know) they informed me I could not cancel without losing all my money because I had previously transferred a class and there is a one time limit. For the other transfer there was a fee even though they did nothing. Just ridiculous to deal with overall. And if you look at the instructor profiles these are by and large not professional teachers. Not worth the hassle and the bad energy. read more

Excellent French classes taught by native speakers in a charming location. Huge benefit is that they offer classes on the weekend and periodically hold very fun events. read more

Coucou is not your ordinary language school, and I've taken over ten language classes with Berges, Italki, and ABC Languages. At Coucou, you specialize in French and become part of the broader francophone community - something I truly missed when I could not travel during the pandemic. I started online classes about six months ago (and have taken Level 4 - Intermédiaire and Level 5 - Confirmé) and was impressed with the modern feel of the resources. The classes included workshops and booklets and were amazingly cost-effective, with attention to detail and preparation. I received a lot of support and encouragement from my teacher, who would give me great feedback and correct my mistakes on the spot. Further, I felt I could express myself and ask as many questions as possible. Now, I have a great foundation to express myself properly en français. While the courses (Levels 1 - 5) are primarily grammatical and learning the foundation to speak, the teachers take the time to understand your interests and goals to help you review and perfect your ongoing journey dans le monde de la conversation française! Further, the teachers encourage you to talk during the class exercises constantly, so you are always thinking and conversing in French. My teacher has made it so that I look forward to my evening classes all week, and I have learned more from her in our lessons than I did from 1 year of high school French and six months of self-study. I also plan on leveling up to Level 6 - Spécialiste, where I plan to enter the world of real French conversation. read more

I have taken French lessons elsewhere and when I found Coucou I realized I had found the right place. The teachers follow the same syllabus that they have helped write themselves. It has been amazingly easy to pick up French because the teachers are always nice and willing to help you through the questions you have. I put in a lot of study time in outside of class and there have been times I have thought about giving up. But if you stick with Coucou, you will learn it. I hope they open a site in France someday. read more

I enrolled in a Level 1 course last year even though I had just started a new job. My plate was overfull, but I had hoped that if I attended classes and just did my best, I could learn more than I would by self-studying. Unfortunately, I asked a question about the pronunciation of a word we had covered during the prior class on week 6 and my teacher, Marie, responded with (I kid you not), "it hurts my ears to hear you say it like that" and "disgusting." The four other women in the room were stunned and I was humiliated. I didn't dare show up to the remaining classes in my package. This class cost hundreds of dollars. I rarely ever post reviews on Yelp (especially negative ones), but I am still so upset with how I was treated last year and just want my money back. read more

Coucou is an awesome place to learn; it doesn't even feel like an effort. A ton of thought has been put into how to make learning French enjoyable and effective; becoming conversational is a key focus, not just doing exercise after exercise. When it comes to the necessary homework, the school has developed their own curriculum, complete with adorable custom workbooks. All of the classes are taught by native French speakers, all of whom are incredibly friendly and helpful. As a bonus, the school organizes parties and outings centered around French culture and activities. Coucou feels distinctly different from other language learning schools and methods, and is a true gem! read more

I never knew learning a difficult language could be this fun! 1. They have their own curriculum to follow. Before Coucou, I've tried to self study (for 2 years) from books I bought and it just made me more confused. Their books work for me because they have diagrams, pictures and examples that applies to life -- not just your typical tourist-traveling-to-France kind of pages. Their system is tailor-made for you to comprehend easier and faster, making sure your foundations with the language are good. 2. I'm taking one-to-one classes that follows my schedule. This is a relief if you are a New Yorker and your schedule is as busy as the city. They work with you so that learning is not only fun but adjustable as well. 3. Coucou is not only a school, it's a community. They have events all year round so it really feels like you are part of something beyond classrooms and books. The teachers are all warm and friendly! I've been with Coucou for a year now and I always look forward to it every single week! Léa is ever so hands-on with me and really invested in my progress. Whether you're seriously thinking of learning French or just trying it out for fun, this place is for you! read more

Je t'aime, Coucou ! I have taken levels 4, 5, and 6 so far at Coucou. The teachers are amazing: super friendly, helpful, encouraging, and they bring wine! I first started off in a level that was too low for me, but voila, no problem, they let me jump into another level. I love that Coucou is more than a school, it is also a community. They host fabulous fetes in their backyard and arrange incredible immersive weekend getaways! I highly recommend Coucou! read more

I love Coucou! I've taken two levels so far and I like their style of teaching. Their instructors are awesome and everyone who works there is always super helpful and cooperative with any of my questions/concerns. Merci Coucou read more

Small and intimate. Just not for me. WHAT WORKS: - Push to only use french in class - Activities in French offered or at least encouraged if outside of Coucou - Intimate and familial environment WHAT DOESN'T WORK: - Too much teacher talk time, not a good balance of student talk time - Not enough pair work - Classes are too unstructured (It isn't clear how to prepare for lessons or what the goals are. Students should definitely express interests as the class develops but the instructor should take the lead on what the goals of the course are overall - grammar, vocab focus, etc.) - Administratively lax (No one is there to open the door until or after class start time, no calendar of "school" closures, no real policies of any sort) TLDR: I think it's definitely a great environment to make friends and practice french without too much pressure to be perfect, it's just not the right place for me to meet my fluency goals. It's a great non-class, but there still needs to be structure to set student expectations. read more

I've been taking classes at Coucou Brooklyn since it opened this past summer... currently in my third session, in Level 5 with Lea. I actually had Lea as a teacher at a previous language school and when she left, I followed her to Coucou Brooklyn because she is is a phenomenal teacher. Now that I am at a conversational level, I didn't want to risk another teacher who wasn't great. In total I've had five different french teachers over the course of my language education. 8 if you count the 3 substitutes I had at the previous school. Lea is by far the best. Her and Marianne (who is also a great teacher, although my experience with her has been limited) are both from France, which I think is incredibly important when learning a language to learn from native speakers. The classes are small, my currently class has four people total. My previous had seven at the very most. The level 5 classes usually go something like this... We spent time talking about our week giving us an opportunity to use our grammer skills. Lea guides you when necessary to correct your grammer or give a quick lesson on when to use certain verbs in specific context, etc. Then we will have a grammer lesson. Then if there is time, we play a game! The entire class is conducted in French, unless there something very crucial, which may be explained in English. Overall, I've had a tremendous experience with Coucou Brooklyn and I feel my French has improved greatly. The school also offers other types of classes, like Yoga, Film making, Knitting, etc - all conducted in French of course. They also host events like art shows and French movie screenings in the very cute backyard, giving you additional opportunities to socialize and use your french skills. read more

BRILLIANT !!!! Every week I cant wait for Tuesday to come around to go to my Coucou french class. I have been going to Coucou for the last year or so ( Starting from level 1 and now level 6). I have enjoyed every moment of it. They have amazing teachers who are all knowledgable, friendly and great at transferring knowledge with very interesting techniques. I can not recommend Coucou more for anyone who is interested in learning french!! read more

I would give Coucou 6 stars if I could! I have just completed level 4 with Julie (and guest appearances by Marianne), and it's been a total pleasure. The classes are a great balance of grammar and conversation (this depends on the level at which you study), and the culture of the school is friendly, warm, and casual. The teachers have developed their own curriculum, and you can tell that there's been serious effort and thought put into how the levels build on each other and prepare the students for more nuanced and subtle conversation and understanding. There are a ton of classes offered between the different locations at different levels and different times of the day and week, which makes it super easy for someone with a demanding schedule to figure out a slot that works. Coucou has honestly made it really fun to return to French--even after 10+ years. read more

Superb language school. I took french for years when I was in elementary school, only to lose all of it in the frenzy of adolescence and early adulthood. I began taking classes at Coucou in January at Level 2 and will continue to do so until I have achieved (at least a modicum of) fluency. Coucou is not only a school, but a community. Beyond the classes they hold art shows, movie screenings, garden parties, yoga groups... cultural and social events of all kinds. They greatly care not only about creating personal relationships with their students, but building an environment in which you feel truly at home in learning the language and culture. I minored in Spanish in college, and even then it was always hard for me to get in front of the group and try to sludge through a few dubious paragraphs in a non-native language. In studying French at Coucou, even as I am still struggling with various parts of the language, I feel as comfortable speaking in front of my class as I would playing low stakes kitchen poker with my nearest and dearest friends. read more

i highly recommend studying French here. I came to Coucou after having taken classes with Léa at a different school and I'm glad she branched out on her own. She was easily the best teacher I had at the old place. I'm now taking a class with her partner/cousin Marianne and she's also a great teacher. They're both endlessly patient and positive. Learning French isn't easy, so having nurturing, encouraging instructors goes a long way. The space is really great as well. It's very nicely designed and warm. read more

J'adore Coucou! I have been a student with Coucou since September 2019 and it has been a wonderful experience. The teachers and staff are so welcoming and the classes are so much fun. I studied French in high school and picking it back up with Coucou has been great. The teaching method they use is very helpful for learning grammar. You also have the chance to speak frequently in class, and using the language, especially using "spoken French" (not the old school French you often learn in high school) really helps to understand the language. The classes are temporarily online due to covid, but it's still been a great learning experience. Highly recommend! read more

I was taking classes and everything was OK I guess. My circumstances changed and my work schedule conflicted with french classes. For this reason, I explained my situation and kindly asked for my 300$ back for the UNUSED classes that I had paid for ahead of time. They refused to give me back my money for classes I had not taken! Incredible ! I guess they got charity from me. I wish someone would give me 300$ for doing nothing as well. Doesn't look good for business. Learn how to do business and respect clientele. You know you were wrong and just dont want to admit it. I walk away throwing 300$ to the air. Not recommended. Biggest mistake I ever made giving my money to them like that. There really is nothing that can be said. No reply to this can fix what has happened. read more

I've been trying to learn French for ages. It's always taught the same way as it was in school, and has always felt incredibly impersonal and serious. A friend recommended Coucou and after one class I was hooked. The method they use is engaging and fun. I actually look forward to class and my French husband has noticed an improvement. They teach you to speak French the way French people do! Their materials are clear and easy to comprehend. Plus they are all so welcoming and supportive. If you're looking to learn and haven't had success before I would highly recommended taking classes here! read more

Going to Coucou is basically like dropping by your chill friends' cute Williamsburg apartment, and finding out that you can learn a foreign language in an environment which is all at once challenging, current and relaxed! And not only are they chill...they are also very, very smart. While the classes look fun, I usually go for the one-on-one tutoring. And big-ups to my current prof, Julie, who really gets how I personally learn and want to be engaged. Our private sessions are a great blend of both grammar and conversation. I especially appreciate learning how French is truly idiomatically spoken today...shedding lots of bad habits from years of learning from out-of-touch or non-native instructors. Julie is as sharp as they come, displays a true love of language and teaching, and doesn't ever seem to forget my problem areas. It's a real blessing to have this school in Brooklyn! read more

Excellent French classes. I took French in middle school/high school/college and wanted to brush up. The class environment is fairly relaxed and fun, but I'm still getting a ton of vocab and grammar points reinforced. The teachers are amazing, the space is adorable, and coming to class is a highlight of my week! read more

I have been a student at Coucou since the beginning. The best brain, is a bilingual brain! So Coucou helps me to keep my brain exercising and to maintain some weekly cultural immersion. Years ago my goal was to speak well enough so that the waiters in Paris did not give me a menu in English (Yes! I did it!) I am busy and tired from my work and my many projects in life, but once my Coucou class starts on Monday evenings.... I forget everything else, enjoy just thinking in French, et tout va très bien. read more

My teacher Victoire is like the host sister I never had. She sprinkles each class with cultural and historical anecdotes, and lessons are more like a conversation than a lecture, so each 2-hr class just flies by. I've taken several rounds of classes here and have always found my classmates to be friendly, intelligent, and open-minded people - so learning together is fun. In addition to great teachers, I appreciate Coucou's thoughtful course design, where each lesson is a digestible chunk on a particular grammatical topic with short homework assignments to reinforce the lesson. Merci Coucou! read more

As a former educator myself, I would say one of the most important musts as a teacher is to get to know your students well. And not just know their learning styles and levels of proficiency and support needs, but who they are. I feel like every time I step in for a lesson with Léa or a conversation group with Léa or Marianne, it's as if I'm sitting down to hang out. I am never bored and come out having learned a ton of new vocabulary, new phrases, and (for grammar nerds like me) reasons for why sentences must be constructed the way they are. I'm always motivated to learn here. As said by a previous reviewer, Léa and Marianne are amazing people and teachers. Through private lessons and eventually the conversation groups, Léa has always been attuned to my progress and has always known the pace at which I should be learning. In the 6 months I've been going here, I went from having working residual knowledge from the high school- and college-level French I took more than a decade ago, to being quite confident in my speaking and listening skills. Léa challenges without intimidating, is patient, and is fun. Not to mention, you'll get to meet a ton of other francophiles who are in it for the same reasons you are hopefully--converse, learn, listen, drink wine. Also so many fun events which my SO and dog will one day attend! I highly recommend this place. This isn't like other language schools I've attended that rush through a curriculum for the sake of coverage rather than depth. If you're serious about learning French, and like good people, don't waste your time anywhere else. read more

I started with Léa at a very basic level and now go for private lessons just to catch up and practice my conversation. It took a few years- I'm a slow learner- but Léa pushed me and got me speaking comfortably. Now on my trips to Paris I do all the translating for me and my friends. Going to Cou Cou is like going to a friends house to hang out and have good conversation. Marianne is great too- if I haven't been to Cou Cou in a while we have so much to catch up on. Also- I really hope to finally make it to some of their after work events! Movie nights, craft nights, art openings, and yoga classes- all in french. Genius! read more

I love taking group French lessons at Coucou! Léa and Marianne are excellent, extremely patient teachers, and always make sure the classes are fun and conversational. And the space doesn't feel like a boring, old school...the interior design is perfection. There's even a backyard for garden lessons when the weather is warm. On top of all that, Coucou also has fun events like movie nights, art shows, French knitting classes, and wine tasting. I highly recommend taking classes here, or attending one of their special events. read more

Been going for a couple of months and I'm really impressed. Aside from being friendly and fun, these two are incredible teachers. I've gone from no French to basic phrases and understanding pretty quickly. Too much more to add but I'll just say a+. Really excellent experience all round. read more

I highly recommend CouCou. The classes are small and taught by highly competent native speakers. (Although I can only personally vouch for the classes taught by Léa!) They've done a great job with their studio space - it's a little gem. I've enjoyed their classes - they do a good job of mixing up cultural, vocabulary, and even breaking up the dreaded grammar (un mal nécessaire) with fun games to keep things as interesting as possible. read more

J'adore Coucou Brooklyn! I have had the pleasure of taking French lessons (private) from Lea for the past 2 years & more recently (the past 8 months or so) from Marianne. Their enthusiasm for teaching and knowledge is abundant! For me, what makes Coucou such a good fit is that both Lea & Marianne have tailored their lessons to fit my learning style. They know when to push me and give hints, because they know, I already know the answer, and how to explains in such a way that it makes sense to me! In addition, Coucou is a host to other French speaking activities, including local artist, dance nights & French theatre! The atmosphere at Coucou is casual and comfortable making it extremely easy and exciting to learn French! read more

The whole Coucou team is absolutely wonderful! All my thanks to Julie and Victoire for working with me to prepare for the TCF-ANF (French language test for citizenship). Having less than a month to prepare was nerve wracking to say the least. With their expert help and support , I went in to the test feeling confident and prepared, and I passed with flying colors! I whole heartedly recommend studying at Coucou to reach any language learning goals you may have. read more

Nice and friendly environment for learning A new language, teachers are funny and kind.

I look forward to my class every week. The two hours go by faster than I can imagine. There's never a reason to feel self conscious because Lea is always so encouraging and everything is a teachable moment. I just love it and will continue taking classes. Come join us. read more

YOGA IN FRENCH: Olmo Cefa, the yoga instructor for Coucou, offers a highly niche service, for the highly discerning individual who pushes him/herself in personal development. I've been practicing Ashtanga with Olmo for six months and have enjoyed a steady increase in benefits from the regular practice. Olmo creates a truly meditative experience. I feel I connect deeper with my breath and body in our sessions and feel benefits not just physically, but mentally as well. Even just one session a week gives my body the quiet space to detox the week and rebalance. My strength has steadily increased as Olmo notices my strong days and respects my weak days. I benefit even more from the sessions because they are directed in FRENCH. As a student of French language, combining the safe, meditative space of yoga with French allows my mind to more easily connect pronunciations and vocabulary with movement. Movement also supports assimilation of information, so I'm truly deepening my mind's connection to the new language. read more