Yesterday, I wrote a blog post providing an example of using short-term intensive bursts to reach fluency faster.
Today, I will outline 5 different ways you can implement short-term intensive bursts yourself. Each of the 5 plans in today’s blog post will be based on you studying 15+ hours a week for at least 2 weeks.
By the way: I’m hosting a few free small-group workshops over the next week in which I’ll help you create a personalized intensive study plan based on your learning needs. Contact me for the schedule.
Option #1: Textbook Burst
Build a foundation in a new language faster than you’d ever thought possible
Ideal level: Low-beginner
Work through a textbook or self-paced course for 3 hours a day
Option #2: Conversational Burst
Feel a sudden boost in conversational confidence
Ideal level: At least upper-beginner
3 hours of conversation a day with a native or very advanced speaker
You will likely need to hire tutors and/or find language exchange partners
Variation: Start a podcast in your target language. Work on it for 3 hours a day. Make sure you record yourself talking every day. Don’t spend 3 hours just on preparation. You never need to post the “episodes” you record if you don’t want to
Option #3: Listening Burst
Make it noticeably easier to understand 1 genre of content
Ideal level: At least upper-beginner
Pick 1 genre or 1 content creator online (YouTuber, podcaster, public speaker, etc.)
Binge-watch that content creator/genre of content for 3 hours a day
Look up unfamiliar words and phrases as they arise
Ensure you pick content that is at your level
Option #4: Reading Burst
Quickly expand your vocabulary in a single subject matter
Ideal level: At least upper-beginner
Similar instructions as the listening burst
Pick 1 genre of reading material or 1 single long-form text (e.g., a book or a long article)
Binge-read for 3 hours a day
Look up unfamiliar words and phrases as they arise
Ensure you pick content that is at your level
Option #5: Writing Burst
Be more grammatical accurate and deepen your vocabulary knowledge
Ideal level: At least upper-beginner
Pick a topic you know about
Pretend to start a blog where you write about the topic you chose
Variation: Actually start a real blog
Write blog posts for 3 hours a day
First draft of each blog post: No translators or spell check. Swap in English words when you don’t know them in the target language. For example, if I didn’t know fully to write I am eating an apple in French, I might write Je am eating une apple.
Second draft: Use a translator to look up unfamiliar words and spell check to fix your spelling/grammar. You are also welcome to ask ChatGPT to help you correct your writing
Third draft: Rewrite the entire blog post from memory, entirely in the target language
Want to go a step further?
I’m hosting a few free small-group workshops over the next week in which I’ll help you create a personalized intensive study plan based on your learning needs. Contact me for the schedule!
I studied German intensively but largely without the internet (relying on books and CDs back in the day). I used to spend a couple of hours before bed, and also listen to CDs during the work day. Intensive is definitely good!