Which is better, an intensive short-term course or a longer, slow-paced course of English? → Crossroads English ®

Which is better, an intensive short-term course or a longer, slow-paced course of English?

There are pros and cons to each one, but here I will talk about what worked best for our students.

Taking an intensive course means you have to sacrifice your daily activities or work and it may quickly lead to burnout.

Once you’ve competed the intensive course, then what? English is a skill that requires content practice.

A longer course is better for your memory-retention and continuous practice. It is a more enjoyable and stress-free experience overall.

In addition to that, you complement your classes with different activities, such as watching movies, listening to podcasts which duplicates the amount of exposure to English language.

Most of our students are professionals, who have daytime office jobs and longer courses with classes twice a week have proven to be very effective for them due to guided learning and systematic approach.

Most of teachers are native speakers which is particularly beneficial for students who already speak English and want to feel more confident and speak more fluently.

Intensive course allows you to know the concepts but it is not effective in terms of transferring it to actual communication skills.

My experience preparing TOEFL students whose English was not on the level of required score and where they had no choice but to prepare through an intensive course, proves that this was not enough to enhance their overall level.

The amount of hours of study squeezed within a short time and the same amount of hours extended in time yields very different results.

Another reason for that is the fact that to complete one level of English it is necessary to go through a curriculum and certain topics, which you do not only learn but also apply in speaking and writing – actual communication abilities. Intensive course allows you to know the concepts but it is not effective in terms of transferring it to actual communication skills.