Cactus Language Blog

Sarkozy takes English lessons

Posted by Lucy under Cactus Languages Abroad

It’s been whirlwind week for Anglo-French relations with Nicolas Sarkozy’s much anticipated state visit to the UK.  He wooed the British parliament yesterday with a speech in his native language, praising Britain and proposing joint action on key issues such as global warming, nuclear energy and immigration.

Ahead of the visit, Sarkozy had been taking intensive English lessons so that he could impress the Queen, although her French language skills are apparently pretty adept.  We can only speculate about how his conversation came across at the state banquet last night, but his commitment to forging closer relations with the UK through language is clear. 

Community languages sidelined

Posted by Lucy under Cactus Languages Abroad

Rowenna Davis has written an interesting article in The Guardian today about the national shortfall in teachers of community languages.  It’s an issue that has been in the news repeatedly in recent weeks but one for which there doesn’t appear to be an easy solution.

Ofsted reported last year that only 35 people in the UK were training to teach languages such as Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese and Punjabi.  The heart of the problem is the importance placed on Spanish, French and Latin as prestigious qualifications, with community languages often dismissed as irrelevant or of lower status.

In an age of globalisation, it’s obvious that the UK needs diversity in languages.  Mandarin and Arabic have been encouraged in recent years because of economic potential but this isn’t enough.  We need languages to help us deal with diplomatic, economic and cultural situations across the board, so much more should be done to help promote the status of community languages.

Rowenna’s article points out that it’s a Catch 22 situation for training.  Schools can’t employ community teachers because none are available, but teachers can’t be attracted to do PGCE courses without the prospect of a job at the end of it.  Hopefully this situation will be improved with the government pledging to raise the number of specialist language schools by 100 in the next two years.

Perhaps schools should look to pioneering projects such as the one at Newbury Park school in Redbridge.  Children are taught phrases in up to 40 languages before they even reach secondary school!  It’s an impressive scheme which celebrates ethnic diversity among pupils and places equal importance on all languages, not just French and Spanish.

Cactus Opinion: Spanish & Surfing course in Jaco Beach

Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Cactus Staff Opinion, Learning a language, Spanish

Language Holiday Advisor Alex Wolfson reports on his Spanish & Surfing course in Jaco, Costa Rica (Feb 08)

Ever since I heard that Cactus worked with a school which offered a Spanish and Surfing course with the Spanish lessons on flexitime, to guarantee the surf classes took place at the optimum level of time, I wanted to take a course at this school. In February 2008 my chance came on the back end of a travel familiarisation trip to visit Cactus partner schools in Central America; I was already in the right area so I booked a week’s Spanish and Surfing in Jaco.

France bans English phrases!

Posted by Lucy under Cactus Languages Abroad

Sacrebleu! France has launched its annual drive this week to stop hundreds of English words from invading the native tongue.  Terms such as “email”, “supermodel” and “low-cost airline” should be banned from the language, according to French culture ministy chiefs.

And it doesn’t stop there.  French linguists at The Academie Francaise - the body that monitors and protects their language - have come up Gallic equivalents to more than 500 words for the website, being run by the culture ministry’s “General Commission for Terminology”.

Even terms such as “detachable motor caravan” and “shadow-boxing” are included in the 65 pages of words which are facing the ban.  Who knew that they were causing such linguistic consternation?

It certainly does raise interesting questions about how languages can be adapted for the modern world without being diluted.  The French quite rightly want to protect their native tongue from the infiltration of foreign words - how effective they’ll be is unclear.

It does make for some excellent linguistic arguments though - an entire page is devoted to the word “podcasting”. The new term will be “diffusion pour baladeur”. And “Wi-Fi” is also out which is a real shame - I always liked the French pronunciation of ”wee-fee”!

Learning Spanish and catching waves in Costa Rica…

Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Learning a language, Spanish

Student Jonathan Edwards reports back on his Spanish & Surfing Course in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica (Feb 08)

Costa Rica is fascinating mix of the modern and the undeveloped. It’s a country in its adolescence, growing quicker than it perhaps knows how to cope with, but with an optimism and self-confidence that makes it an exciting place to visit.

The Spanish school that Cactus work with in Jaco is a great example of this: a simply gorgeous building offering a high quality teaching experience, set amongst the quickly growing beach town of Jaco with its great surf beach, boom town feel and crazy nightlife.

After 10 years of running the Spanish, surfing, photography and yoga classes, the folk here have really refined their product and do a great job. Brian (the director) actually lives in the building which gives it a homey feel and with only a maximum of 18 or so students the environment is friendly and intimate.

This is a school where fun is high on the agenda, with great surfing and the opportunity to hang out with fellow students and party in Jaco, whilst at the same time being serious about teaching good Spanish.

I did a month long course (which I highly recommend) as did ten other students. We were a mixed bunch with the oldest being 50 and the youngest 16, but most being in their mid 20s. Americans, Aussies, Danes, a German, some Swedes and a Canadian or two gave the group a welcome multicultural feel which always gives you plenty to talk about and lots to learn.

Spanish started early on day one and I found that four hours of class a day was going to be challenge - but that’s why I came after all, to learn Spanish. My teacher was engaging but thorough and after the month I can certainly say I was satisfied with my improvement.

Surfing lessons when high tide was at the end of the day meant a magical two hours watching the sun set over the warm tropical waters, catching (and falling off) waves with our instructors. I’d had some lessons in Australia before but these instructors were far better, and with 5 instructors to a class of say 14 surfers there was always someone nearby to give you the help you needed.

When we surfed in the mornings the conditions were better and what a great way to get rid of a hangover from the night before!

Studying at the school in Jaco gave me the best holiday I’ve ever had - thanks to the great instruction, good location, but most of all cool people. Thanks to Cactus Language for making it happen.

Spanish courses in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Cactus TEFL launch free podcasts

Posted by Sarah under Cactus TEFL, Press Release

Cactus TEFL, the teacher training arm of Cactus, has just launched its first podcasts on www.cactustefl.com.

Ideal for those who want to find out more about TEFL but don’t have time to surf the net, these new podcasts give valuable information and advice on a range of TEFL-related subjects. Find out how to make the transition from state school to TEFL teaching, what it’s really like to be a TEFL teacher, what your options are once you’ve been teaching for a few years and the advantages of a diploma-level qualification. Alternatively, you can simply listen to staff opinion on choosing the right course for you.

Cactus TEFL podcasts are free to download and more will be available soon, so keep posted!

iTunes Store direct link

Spanish Resources

Posted by admin under Spanish

Please comment on resources you find online that are useful to other people learning Spanish.

French Resources

Posted by tristan under French

Please comment on resources you find online that are useful to other people learning French.

Language barrier scuppers walker

Posted by Lucy under Cactus Languages Abroad

So it appears as if Mark Boyle has had to abandon his epic trip from Britain to Gandhi’s birthplace because of a lack of language skills.  Mark set out on foot less than a month ago on a pilgrimage that was supposed to take well over two years.  With no money, Mark was aiming to rely on strangers for food and lodging to prove the kindness of humanity.

Mark’s plans came unstuck when he reached Calais as he was unable to communicate the real aim of his project to the French.  They simply didn’t understand what he was trying to achieve and weren’t supportive.

It really just proves that language skills are an essential element of any journey overseas - particuarly one that is so heavily reliant on the involvement of the local community.  Mark’s vowed to spend the next few months learning French before setting out again, so you have to admire his determination. 

Armed with a few key language phrases, Mark should definitely be able to interact with local people and achieve his goal.  Arabic, Turkish and Hindi in particular will be of great use to him and should make the journey easier all round.