Why Is It Worth Learning Polish Intensively During Summer?

Many language schools offer intensive summer courses. But are such courses effective? Is it worth taking part in them? Absolutely YES. The experience of our KLUB DIALOGU School shows that students learning Polish intensively during the summer make very noticeable progress. There is nothing more effective in learning a foreign language than consistency and regular practice.

Intensive Polish Language Course – What Does It Actually Mean?

An intensive course should, on the one hand, provide a substantial amount of knowledge and, on the other hand, avoid overwhelming the student. Balance is essential, as well as enough time for revision, consolidation of the material, and finally for ‘production’, meaning communication in real-life situations.

The number of hours per day and per week devoted to summer learning depends on the student’s level of the Polish language and the expected results. Realistically, good summer courses should include from 2 to 4 hours with a teacher and from 1 to 3 hours of individual study. If the course takes place in a city where the student is surrounded by the language they are learning, they also have the opportunity to practice the language naturally after classes. Good schools often offer additional meetings, social events, and excursions besides regular lessons, during which students continue speaking and learning about the country’s culture. This can be described as ‘situational learning’ and learning through personal experience. Numerous studies¹ have shown that people remember information best when it is connected to their personal lives and experiences. Activity, stimulation, and emotional engagement all support memorization.

Your level of the Polish Language Can Improve Faster than You Think

If you are just beginning to learn the Polish language or know it only at a very basic level you will notice the fastest and most visible progress. 2 – 3 weeks of intensive study can bring a truly significant improvement. For intermediate learners, progress may be slower, but their fluency and accuracy of speech will noticeably improve. If you present an advanced level of Polish you can also benefit greatly from summer courses by working on style, accent, more complex structures, and idiomatic expressions.

So, what course length should you choose? If you need noticeable improvement, choose a 2–3 week Polish language course. If you can allow yourself 4–6 weeks of study, you will observe a clear and substantial leap forward, although still within the same language level. 2 – 3 months of intensive study may result in completing an entire level and moving on to the next one.

How Can You Learn to Speak Polish Fast? Intensive Learning at KLUB DIALOGU School

Summer is a special time that encourages greater freedom and openness. Teachers at KLUB DIALOGU Polish Language School always strive to create the best possible calm and safe learning environment. During the year, students often come to Polish classes after work, frequently tired from the demands of everyday life. In the summer period, it is easier to create a relaxed atmosphere, which helps students open up to new knowledge.

Since summer classes can last several hours, it is extremely important that they are not based solely on classroom material. At KLUB DIALOGU School, students go to museums, cafés, and shops. For example, last year, during a lesson about food, one group visited a local market together with their teacher. After returning to school, students not only learned new vocabulary in a practical context, but also had the opportunity to use it while preparing salads together from the fruits and vegetables they had bought.

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The author of this article is Wioletta Kunicka-Kajczuk, owner of KLUB DIALOGU Polish Language School, methodology specialist, and a long-time teacher of Polish as a foreign language.

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Bibliography

1. Between Language Science and Language Development. Concepts of Language Education at the Turn of the 20th and 21st Century (“Między nauką o języku, a rozwijaniem języka. Koncepcje kształcenia językowego na przełomie XX i XXI wieku”), Marta Szymańska, Pedagogical University Scientific Publishing House, Kraków.