Intensive and extensive language activities

Languages—including academic English—are learned through both intensive and extensive practice. Intensive practice involves focusing on a small amount of material with a very high level of attention. Completing grammar exercises, for instance, is an intensive activity. A grammar exercise will help you develop control over a very specific grammatical concept, such as past-tense verbs or the use of commas.

Extensive practice involves absorbing a larger quantity of information, typically over a longer period of time. Extensive practices focus less on individual words or forms and more on general comprehension and fluency—your ability to understand, use, and think in English without translating from your native language. Listening to the radio for general understanding is an extensive practice that can help you develop your speed and your grasp of “natural” English forms in various contexts.

Activities for intensive and extensive language practice

Related topics:

Reading while listening

Using a dictionary or a thesaurus

Becoming familiar with the Academic Word List

Learning prefixes and suffixes

Keeping a vocabulary notebook

Keeping an editing log

Targeting areas for improvement

Practice exercises