Which intensive course formats give fastest results
Intensive course formats that give the fastest results typically have several key characteristics: high weekly teaching hours (often 15–35 hours per week), frequent daily lessons (4–5 days per week), small class sizes or one-on-one instruction, and a structured curriculum designed to cover entire language levels quickly. Among the most effective are super-intensive courses, which include around 18–35 teaching hours per week with daily classes; intensive courses with 15–25 weekly hours; and crash courses or compact courses with at least 20+ hours per week. These formats allow learners to complete language levels like A1, A2, or B1 within 2 months or less.
Here are some intensive course formats with their typical features and expected timeframes for fastest results:
| Course Format | Hours per Week | Duration per Level | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super-intensive | 18-35 hours | ~2 months per level | Daily classes Monday to Friday, immersive, including conversation practice |
| Intensive | 15-25 hours | ~2-3 months per level | 4-5 days a week, flexible start times, combination of theory and practice |
| Crash/Compact Course | 20+ hours | ~2-3 weeks per level | Very high intensity, may include one-on-one lessons, focused on quick progress |
| Extensive (contrast) | 2-4 hours | Longer term | Weekly lessons, designed for gradual improvement rather than speed |
Examples from German language courses illustrate these:
- Speakeasy’s super-intensive German course has 18 hours per week and completes levels A1 to B1 in 2 months each.
- Goethe-Institut intensive courses offer about 75 lessons over 2-3 weeks, with 5 lessons daily Monday to Friday.
- Some courses provide flexible intensive formats up to 30-35 hours weekly combining group and individual lessons for rapid advancement.
These intensive courses are best suited for learners who want quick, efficient progress in a short time frame and can dedicate the necessary time and focus. This format leverages immersion and frequent contact with the language to accelerate learning dramatically compared to traditional weekly classes. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7