Cactus Language Training Blog - Cactus Tailor Made
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Cactus launches specialist DELE exam preparation evening course
- Tuesday, 21st September, 2010
Cactus Language Training, the world’s leading language training company, today announced that it has developed a new, 20-hour Spanish course helping students to achieve their Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera. The course offers expert tuition for students and professionals looking to take language learning to the next level and attain this internationally recognised certificate.
Cactus has designed the course to be taught by qualified and experienced exam preparation teachers over three terms with one, two-hour class per week. Classes focus on the DELE exam tasks and cover the key skill areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary, with students advised to undertake four hours of additional home-study a week.
The next course is scheduled to start on April and will take place at one of Cactus’ top partner schools in Holborn in London. Students will then be prepared to sit their DELE examination in August.
Richard Bradford, MD of Cactus Language Training, commented: “We’ve designed this course to cater for any students of Spanish who are looking to achieve the diploma but can’t study during office hours. The evening programme will prepare them for the DELE exam by providing small, friendly classes and a thorough grounding in all the key skill areas. We’re pleased to be adding this new course to our existing training portfolio which offers the best possible choice and teaching methods for anyone wanting to learn Spanish.”
For more information about this, and other exam preparation courses, simply visit: http://www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk/courses/exam-preparation.php
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BBC UK China - August 2010
- Monday, 23rd August, 2010
This broadcast for the BBC Learn English team includes an interview with Cactus’ teacher Jim Hitch. He discusses what makes a native speaker’s English and non-native speaker’s English different, including some typical problems for people speaking English.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukchina/simp/elt/ask_about_britain/100803_aab_230_foreigner_english_story.shtml
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Forecasts of increased international movement among staff highlight the need for language training
- Tuesday, 20th April, 2010
A recent report issued by the global giant Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) predicts that the number of people working abroad will increase by 50% over the next decade. The report, ‘Talent mobility 2020: The next generation of international assignments’, a compilation of data sourced from 900 companies, shows that international assignments by staff have already increased by 25% over the last decade, a trend that is set to double over the next ten years.
What are the factors behind this and what are the implications for the future?
Statistics like this are not to be ignored as they have a significant impact on work practice across the globe. Brought about in part by the rise of emerging markets, the ease of foreign travel, changing demographic needs and companies searching for new revenue streams, the globalisation that we are witnessing will see many more thousands of employees leaving their home country for foreign soil – and even the number of locations to which they are re-locating is increasing, as companies explore lesser developed locations.
The implications of such large global movement cannot fail to have implications. Businesses, for a start, are likely to need to evolve their international work models so that they can efficiently manage the relocation of high numbers of staff between countries. Tax systems and immigration laws can present immediate obstacles, and further down the line investment into local infrastructure can become be a factor, especially in lesser developed countries – both to help employees live and work comfortably and also to maintain a synergic relationship with the host country.
One bonus that businesses may however see is a lesser need to offer financial incentive to staff to work overseas. Not only is it seen as good business sense to have staff employed in the places where they are needed, it also appears that these staff – especially younger workers – are eager to work a stint abroad. The report quotes that, of 4,200 graduates, 94% expect to work more internationally than their parents and 80% actually want to work abroad as part of their own personal development.
Of particular interest to Cactus is the news that 70% of these graduates expect to use a non-native language at work. If relocation abroad is to be fluid and of benefit to all parties concerned, investment in language training cannot be overlooked. Indeed, a recent article in Re:locate magazine (www.relocatemagazine.com) cites language and cultural training – along with home search and spousal support – as ‘examples of policy elements that provide untold value and [which] can make or break an assignment’. Rather than be considered as luxury extras, support services such as this should be given priority when it comes to aiding a staff member to settle in a foreign country. Committing the cost early on could prevent further cost from a failed relocation down the line.
Cactus Language Training offers all types of language and cultural training for relocation and other purposes. Specialising in tailor-made language training for businesses and individual needs, training is available in many different formats and in languages and locations across the globe.
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Language Travel Magazine - April 2010
- Monday, 19th April, 2010
UK-based language travel agency Cactus has launched a range of Spanish language learning podcasts to complement its traditional language learning programmes. The company’s Spanish learning podcasts, ‘Language Minis’, have been available through iTunes and the Independent newspaper’s website since December last year and so far downloads have reached 1.5 million copies.
Richard Bradford, Managing Director of Cactus, said, “The phenomenal popularity of the podcasts confirms just how many people want to get to grips with another language. At Cactus we believe that the best way to learn a language is through a blended approach, so we’re delighted to be adding podcasts to our extensive range of language learning options, offering language learners even more flexibility.”
http://www.hothousemedia.com/ltm/ltmbackissues/apr10web/apr10agencynews.html
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Cactus and the Italian Cultural Institute join forces to bring la dolce vita to the UK
- Wednesday, 7th April, 2010
Cactus Language Training, one of the world’s leading language training companies, and the Italian Cultural Institute today announce a prestigious new partnership to give hundreds of individuals and businesses access to Italian language training and study resources, as well as a wide variety of cultural events across England and Wales.
The Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) is the official body of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture in England and Wales. It organises cultural events, exhibitions and language courses, as well as collaborating with universities and art and scientific bodies to develop the cultural links between Italy and the UK.
As part of the partnership, Cactus and ICI will deliver Italian courses outside of London, in several locations across the country, offering students a special ICI certificate on completion of their courses. In addition, Cactus will help to promote a range of Italian cultural events to its students, who will also have access to the ICI’s study resources and its impressive library.
Carlo Presenti, Director of the ICI, commented: “We were looking for a partner that shares our passion and drive to bring the Italian way of life to a much wider UK audience. Cactus’ language courses are of a high academic standard and the company’s ethos complements our own aim to make Italian culture accessible for all.”
“This partnership is very important for us because our students will have much greater access to study resources and cultural information which will help to bring the Italian language to life,” commented Chris Moore, Head of Cactus Language Training. “We’re very pleased to be working with such a prestigious organisation to help boost Italian culture around the UK.”
Italian Courses with Cactus
Cactus runs Italian courses at different levels in many locations across London and in cities across the UK. You can choose to take an evening course (10 weeks or 5 weeks), 1-week intensive course or weekend crash course. Visit www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk for information and booking.
Cactus also offers Italian courses in over 20 locations in Italy, including Rome, Florence, Taormina, Venice and Bologna. Courses can be combined with activities such as cooking, wine tasting, sailing, golf, fashion design, singing, painting, ceramics and more.
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A good idea in any language - talking the talk
- Wednesday, 31st March, 2010
The London Paper has written a half-page article about the rise of language training in London and has included comment from Cactus’s client at Emap. The article highlights the advantages of knowing another language at work and when travelling for business. Richard Bradford comments: “Evening classes are designed to be fun, sociable and engaging with qualified native speaker teachers. All classes cover the four skill areas – reading, writing, listening and speaking. Rather than the teacher simply lecturing, students are encouraged to speak and interact from the very first lesson. This helps to build their skills and confidence in a friendly environment and with the help and support of the teacher and classmates”.
