14-Day English Crash Course for Backend Developers
Intensive Sprint

This crash course is designed for backend developers who need quick, high-impact results — for example, before starting a new job at an English-speaking company, before a technical interview, or when time is tight. It covers the 14 most important vocabulary and communication areas for backend developers.

The course is designed for B1–B2 English learners (intermediate). You should be able to hold basic conversations in English. The course improves your professional and technical English, not general English from scratch. If you are unsure of your level, try Day 1 — if the vocabulary feels completely unfamiliar, consider building general English skills first.

Each day is designed for 20–30 minutes: roughly 10 minutes on vocabulary and 15 minutes on the communication exercise. The intensive format means each day is focused and efficient — no filler content. Optional blog posts add another 10–15 minutes if you want more context.

The course covers HTTP and API vocabulary, database and SQL terminology, code review language, Git vocabulary, architecture and design pattern terms, DevOps and deployment language, standup phrases, professional email and Slack communication, and technical interview and salary negotiation phrases.

The 14-day crash course covers the 14 highest-priority areas in a condensed format. The 30-day path goes deeper — adding advanced topics like distributed systems, microservices, incident response, caching, async patterns, and a full week dedicated to advanced communication and mock interview practice. Start with 14 days if you are short on time; move to 30 days for comprehensive coverage.

Yes. If you are already confident with Git vocabulary, skim Day 6 or swap it for a topic you find more challenging. The schedule is a guide — adapt it to your gaps and current needs.

Yes. Days 13 and 14 focus specifically on technical interview speaking and salary negotiation phrases — the two most high-stakes communication scenarios for developers changing jobs or negotiating offers. See /exercises/speaking/technical-interview-speaking/ for the full exercise set.

Follow the days in order — vocabulary days in Week 1 build the foundation for the communication and career days in Week 2. If you have a specific gap (e.g., you struggle with code review language), you can start with that day, but sequential study gives the best results.

Yes. Day 1 focuses specifically on HTTP and REST API language — including terms like idempotent, payload, endpoint, status codes, and the English phrases used in API documentation. This is one of the most important vocabulary areas for backend developers working with international teams.

After the 14-day crash course, move to the 30-day backend path for deeper coverage of advanced topics. You can also explore the Backend Developer guide for comprehensive reference material, or browse all exercises at /exercises/.