Intensive language courses in a language environment are an effective form of foreign language acquisition, especially for motivated students, as the immersive method provides an opportunity to develop language skills during classes and reinforce the acquired knowledge in real-life situations within the language-use environment. For intensive language learning at the pre-A1 level (A0 level), a structured learning approach is used, integrating specific topics or a unified thematic module related to the language-use environment, for example, cultural studies, into the acquisition of language patterns, rules, vocabulary and language skills.

The study evaluates one of the thematic modules used in intensive language acquisition programme, i.e. the cultural studies module. The content topics of this module introduce learners to the cultural canon, values, traditions, social norms, and communication models of a particular society. Such a modular programme promotes not only the acquisition of language structure and vocabulary but also fosters an understanding of the language-use context and cultural environment. This is a crucial prerequisite for reducing cultural barriers, successfully interacting within the social environment of the target language, and fostering the development of intercultural competence.

Planning language acquisition at the pre-A1 level (A0 level) is a methodological challenge for language teachers due to the absence of a defined description for this proficiency level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Programme developers and implementers require detailed and carefully considered planning of the learning content, as well as the selection and elaboration of teaching materials, taking into account factors such as students’ previous experience in learning foreign languages, individual learning pace and motivation.

The case analysis in the study was based on surveys conducted with 30 students who took part in intensive pre-A1 (A0 level) Latvian as a foreign language programmes offered through international summer schools. These surveys were conducted during the period from 2022 to 2025.

Keywords: L2 acquisition, intensive language learning, cultural studies module.