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Intensive English Course

A private intensive English course — also known as a crash course, speed course, or immersion course — is focused, one-to-one training that helps you improve your English fast. It combines personalized, fast-paced lessons with full immersion and constant feedback, so you build clarity, confidence, and fluency in a short period of time. Every course is taught at your level and designed around your goals, your work, and your communication needs.

Is this course right for you? 

  • You have a presentation, meeting, or interview coming up in English.
  • You've just started — or are about to start — a new role.
  • You use English regularly but want to sound more natural and confident.
  • You work with international colleagues and want to communicate more effortlessly.
  • You're an expat in the Netherlands and want to perform better at work in English.
  • You're somewhere between "good enough" and genuinely fluent — and you want to close that gap.

Still not sure? Read our blog post “Is an Intensive English Course Right for Me?” to learn more

If your focus is on workplace English and professional communication, then consider an Intensive Business English Course.

If you're looking to make the most of the summer, take a look at our Summer Intensive Course in Amsterdam.

Your free intake appointment is with a professional English Center trainer, not a salesperson. You’ll receive real feedback and practical course advice from the start.

Intensive English course for professionals

Many participants take an intensive English course because they need to improve quickly for work. Perhaps you're preparing for a new role, an English-language presentation, a job interview, or closer collaboration with international colleagues.

Depending on your goals, your course can focus on meetings, presentations, phone and video calls, emails, spoken fluency, pronunciation, or feeling more confident and natural in everyday professional situations. Most participants already use English regularly — they just want to communicate more effectively and with less effort.

Why intensive learning works

Intensive courses are effective because of how the brain acquires language. When you immerse yourself in English for several hours a day over a concentrated period, you move beyond conscious recall and start responding naturally — the way fluent speakers do. Repetition, immediate correction, and sustained focus accelerate the process significantly compared to weekly lessons spread over months.

Research in language acquisition consistently shows that frequency and volume of exposure matter more than the total number of hours alone. An intensive course doesn't just teach you more — it teaches you differently, building the kind of automatic, confident communication that occasional lessons rarely achieve.

Intensive English course quick facts

Who: Professionals, expats, and adult learners who want to improve quickly.
What: Private intensive crash course with 100% native-speaker trainers.
Why: To go from 'good enough' to confidently communicating in English
When: Morning, afternoon, or full day, one week or longer, available year-round.
Where: Multiple locations in Amsterdam + Amstelveen, Den Haag, and Hoofddorp

How long is an intensive English course?

Our most popular programs are:

  • a 20-hour intensive course over one week
  • a two-week program of 30 or more hours
  • a focused 10-hour short program
  • an extended course of 35 or 50 hours over several weeks

You can choose morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions. Together we'll put together a schedule that fits your goals, your availability, and the pace that works best for you.

Where can I take a private intensive English course?

You can take your intensive English course at any of our locations in the Netherlands, or online — always private, always flexible.

Intensive English course in Amsterdam 

We offer intensive English courses in Amsterdam at two locations: in the Museumkwartier, near Vondelpark, and in the city center within walking distance of Amsterdam Centraal. Both are calm, professional settings well suited to focused learning.

Intensive English course in Den Haag 

Our Den Haag location offers an elegant and professional environment, easily accessible from The Hague Central Station. It's a popular choice for professionals working in and around the city.

Intensive English course in Amstelveen 

Our Amstelveen location provides a relaxed and quiet learning environment with free parking — a practical option for those who prefer to avoid the center of Amsterdam.

Intensive English course in Hoofddorp 

For participants based near Schiphol or the broader region, we also offer intensive courses in Hoofddorp. The location is easy to reach by road and offers free parking.

Intensive English course Online 

Prefer to learn from home or the office? Online sessions are available via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet and are just as personal and effective as in-person training. A hybrid program — combining online lessons with sessions at one of our locations — is also possible.

Improving your spoken English and confidence

For most participants, the priority is speaking — sounding more natural, more confident, and more professional in real conversations. Depending on your goals, your course can focus on:

  • fluency and natural connected speech
  • pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation
  • grammar accuracy and vocabulary range
  • listening and comprehension
  • meetings, presentations, and professional conversations

Spoken communication is at the heart of everything we do. Your trainer will work with you directly on the areas where you want to improve most, giving you immediate feedback and practical tools you can use right away.

What does an intensive English course cost?

Private intensive English courses start at €1,000. Most clients choose programs of 20-35 hours. The final price depends on the number of hours, location, and the level of customization. Most courses run between 10 and 50 hours, and language training is BTW-free.

Just let us know what you have in mind — we'll put together a clear, no-obligation proposal that fits your goals and schedule.

Why choose The English Center?

  • 100% native-speaker trainers — experienced professionals from the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
  • Private 1:1 training — every session is focused entirely on you.
  • Total personalization — your program is built around your goals, level, and professional context.
  • CEDEO-recognized quality — independent recognition for training excellence and client satisfaction. See our accreditations and recognition.
  • CRKBO-registered — language training is BTW-free.
  • Highly rated on Trustpilot.
  • Flexible locations — Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Den Haag, Hoofddorp, or online.
  • Fast start — courses can often begin within one week.
  • More than 17 years of experience.

We don't offer group courses or standard programs. Every intensive course is built around your goals, your level, and your schedule — so you're always working on exactly what matters most.

Organizations we've worked with include: 

McKinsey & Company, ABN AMRO, ING, Gemeente Amsterdam, Holland & Barrett, Foot Locker, YoungCapital, Nederlands Dans Theater, and SALTO.

Trustpilot Reviews

"Fantastic! I recently completed this English course and couldn’t be happier. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the materials were engaging and effective." — Trustpilot review

"I had a great trainer who quickly adjusted for my needs, improvement areas and specific business context." — Thijs Rozen, Bitvavo

“I found the lessons very helpful and enjoyable. The content and materials were personalized and adapted to my needs. The teacher was extremely knowledgeable and encouraging, which made it easier to try new things. My skills and confidence have improved significantly.” — Margreet

Frequently asked questions about the intensive English course

How long does an intensive English course take? 

Our most popular program is 20 hours over one week, but you can also choose 10, 30, or 50 hours spread across one to four weeks. During your intake, we'll put together a schedule that fits your availability and helps you make the fastest possible progress.

Is this course suitable for my level? 

This course is designed for intermediate to advanced learners (B1–C1+). Most participants already use English regularly but want to communicate more naturally, confidently, and professionally. If you're not sure whether the level is right for you, your free intake appointment is the best place to find out.

Is this intensive English course for adults? 

Yes. Our courses are designed for adults and working professionals. If you are a teenager preparing for exams or study abroad, please mention this during your intake and we'll advise on the most suitable program.

Can I start quickly? 

Yes. We offer start dates throughout the year and can often begin within one week of registration — no waiting for a group schedule.

What does a typical day look like? 

Your lessons are taught entirely in English by a native-speaker trainer. You'll spend most of your time speaking, practicing, and receiving direct feedback. The exact content depends on your goals — whether that's presentations, meetings, pronunciation, vocabulary, or professional communication — but every session is active and practical.

What is the difference between an intensive course and a crash course? 

The terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to focused, fast-paced private training taken over a short period of time.

Can I do a hybrid course? 

Yes. Many participants combine in-person sessions at one of our locations with online lessons via Zoom or Teams. It's a flexible option that works well for busy schedules.

Can I take this course online? 

Yes. Online sessions are available via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet and are equally personal and effective as in-person training.

Where can I take the course in person? 

We offer intensive courses in Amsterdam (near Vondelpark and Amsterdam Centraal), Den Haag, Amstelveen, and Hoofddorp. All locations provide a calm and professional learning environment.

Will I always be taught by a native English speaker? 

Yes. All our trainers are native English speakers from the US, UK, Ireland, South Africa, or Australia. Every trainer is experienced in private, personalized language coaching for adults.

Can my employer pay for the course? 

Yes. Many participants have their course covered by their employer or client. We're happy to provide a clear, professional proposal that you can share with your manager or HR department. Language training is BTW-free, which makes it straightforward for most companies to arrange.

What does an intensive English course cost? 

Private intensive courses start at €1,000. The final price depends on the number of hours, location, and the level of customization. We'll provide a clear, no-obligation proposal after your intake appointment.

What is CEDEO recognition? 

CEDEO is an independent Dutch organization that certifies training providers based on quality and client satisfaction. The English Center is CEDEO-recognized, which means we are regularly assessed to ensure our courses consistently meet high standards of personalization and effectiveness.

Curious if our private intensive English course is right for you?

Contact us today (see the form below) for a free intake appointment, and we can usually respond within one to two business days. If you’d rather chat directly, call us during working hours at +31 (0)20 823 0569 - we're here to help, and we're happy to speak with you.

Fast progress starts with a conversation. 

During your free intake appointment, you’ll meet with a professional trainer who will discuss your goals, assess your needs, and help you design a private intensive English course that fits your schedule and priorities. Most courses can begin quickly.

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