By Samah Jebbari — Founder, Lingua Franca Institute
The Truth: More Hours Don’t Mean More Learning
We’ve all heard it:
“Take more hours, and you’ll improve faster.”
But that’s not how learning works.
Traditional programs often mean:
- long explanations
- big groups
- little correction
- slow progress
Research says the same thing:
- Intensive programs often lead to better outcomes than semester-long courses (Ferguson & DeFelice).
- Even short intensive learning improves attention, a key skill for language acquisition (Bak et al., 2016).
- Focused, feedback-rich sessions improve writing and accuracy more effectively than long courses (Coventry University).
In other words: effectiveness matters more than duration.
Why the LFI 16-Hour Method Works
At LFI, every hour is intentional.
No wasted minutes. No filler. No passive listening.
Our method gives you:
- Small groups
- TEF/TCF-focused skills
- Real correction every week
- Clear structure and measurable progress
Learners feel the difference immediately because they are active, corrected, guided, and supported. That’s why so many tell me:
“I learned more in 16 hours here than in months somewhere else.”
And it’s true — because the method works.
Sixteen Smart Hours > Forty Slow Ones
Progress doesn’t come from sitting in a classroom for dozens of hours.
It comes from:
- structure
- feedback
- repetition
- focus
- and a method built for adults with real goals
Sixteen focused hours can genuinely change your level — and your opportunities.
It’s not about more hours. It’s about the right hours.
If you’re preparing for TEF or TCF, or simply want to communicate with confidence, don’t get stuck in programs that value time over results.
Choose:
- a method that works,
- a structure that moves you forward,
- and hours that actually make a difference.
Sixteen hours won’t just improve your French.
They’ll move you closer to the life you want — in Quebec, in Canada, or anywhere your future takes you.
At LFI, we made sure those 16 hours count.
References
- Serrano, R. Is Intensive Learning Effective? De Gruyter Mouton.
- Ferguson, J. & DeFelice, A. Short and Long-Term Differences in Instructional Effectiveness Between Intensive and Semester-Length Courses.
- Bak, T. H., et al. (2016). The Impact of Intensive Language Learning on Attentional Functions. Cognitive Research.
- Coventry University. The Efficacy of Short Pre-sessional Courses on Learner Writing.
