I want to share with our community of French learners a bit of the wisdom I’ve acquired after teaching French and running Coucou for over a decade.
When we first begin learning a new language, most of us crave stability: one teacher we trust, one explanation that makes sense, one way of learning that feels manageable. That comfort is important at the start. But over time, sticking to just one voice or one format can actually slow us down.
The truth is, variety is not a distraction, it’s fuel. Neuroscience and countless student stories show that mixing voices, perspectives, and mediums keeps our brains active, flexible, and ready for real-life conversations. Here’s why.
By Léa Perret, Founder of Coucou and 6pm in Paris
1. Different explanations unlock different doors
A former student of mine, who’s been at Coucou for years recently told me: “I didn’t really understand object pronouns until I heard three teachers explain it three different ways.” It made me pause for a second and then I told her: “that’s not failure it’s how learning works!”
Each teacher highlights different patterns, examples, or metaphors. The more angles you hear, the more entry points your brain has until the concept clicks. I am proud that we can provide that to our learners.
2. Multiple voices make your ear adaptable
Languages are alive. French sounds different in Marseille, Paris, or Geneva. At first, encountering a new accent feels like starting over. But exposure to varied input is proven to improve listening comprehension and adaptability (Neuroscience News).
As one student put it: “I thought I’d mastered French until I switched teachers and felt lost again. But after a few weeks, I realized I could understand French people much more easily. My ear had leveled up.”
3. Mixing mediums strengthens more neural pathways
Grammar drills, podcasts, TV shows, novels, conversation classes… each lights up different parts of the brain. Research confirms that this multimodal approach leads to stronger, longer-lasting learning (British Academy Report).
Think of it like training for a marathon: grammar is strength training, conversation is cardio, reading is stretching, and movies are confidence! Alone, each helps a little; together, they make you truly fit.
4. New contexts keep you out of autopilot
When we hear the same teacher’s voice week after week, we start anticipating their phrasing and rhythm. That can feel cozy, and safe, but also…a little too predictable. A new voice or medium jolts your brain out of autopilot, forcing you to listen and think actively again.
We all know personal growth and progress only happen when there is tension, struggle and discomfort. It’s the same for languages!
5. Fresh perspectives deepen cultural connection
Each teacher brings their own slice of culture: a southern French tradition, a Belgian joke (often at the expense of French people!) or a little bit of Parisian snobbery. While each medium adds another layer: music, films, novels, even memes.
Together, these fragments build a mosaic. You’re not just memorizing vocabulary; you’re discovering worlds of humor, history, and identity.
6. Challenge builds resilience (and confidence)
The first time you switch teachers or struggle through a new format, it can feel like you’re back at square one. But these challenges are the very moments that expand your resilience.
As Maya, one of our students, shared: “At first I panicked when my favorite teacher left, but adapting to someone new gave me so much confidence. If I can survive this, I can survive a conversation with anyone.”
7. You learn to live the language, not just study it
French doesn’t belong to one voice, one classroom, or one teaching style. It’s a chorus of sounds, perspectives, and contexts. When you open yourself to variety, French stops being a subject, it becomes a whole world, a part of your lifestyle.
Community screening of the French Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Coucou NYC
The takeaway
Comfort has its place, especially at the start. But growth comes from variety. By welcoming different teachers, accents, and mediums, you’re not scattering your efforts, you’re weaving a stronger, more flexible foundation. You are boosting your neuro plasticity and opening your mind.
In the end, the goal isn’t just to learn French. It’s to connect with people, culture and grow your brain and your heart.