Cactus Language Blog
We look at learning another language around the world
Cactus is one of the world's leading language training companies, providing courses in over 25 languages, in 45 countries and 150 destinations worldwide. It specialises in all forms of trainer-based language training for enterprises and individuals, from evening courses and language learning holidays, to tailor-made packages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Cactus also uses blended learning approaches, included self-study and online & distance learning under the banner "learn a language your way". Read more about Cactus
French : Category
How to say ‘Happy New Year’ in 20 languages
Posted by simonager under English, French, German, Italian, Learning a language, Spanish
New Year is celebrated around the world, though not necessarily on the same day everywhere. In some cases, such as in Chinese and Vietnamese communities, there are celebrations for both solar New Year on 1st January according to the Gregorian, and Lunar New Year, the date of which changes every year. In the Eastern Orthodox [...]
Tags: arabic, catalan, french, german, italian, mandarin, new year, spanish, voc
Test your fluency with these French tongue-twisters!
Posted by simonager under French, Learning a language
Tongue-twisters, or les virelangues (tongue trippers) in French, are a good way to practise your pronunciation. They focus on different combinations of sounds difficult to pronounce one after the other in quick succession. They can also teach you some new words, not all of which will necessarily be immediately useful, but they could come in [...]
Tags: france, french, tongue-twister, vocabulary
Celebrating All Saint’s Day in France
Posted by simonager under French, Learning a language
All Saint’s Day or La Toussaint is a Catholic festival celebrated on 1st November each year in France. It is the day when all the Saints recognised by the Roman Catholic church are honoured. The following day is Le Jour des Morts (All Soul’s Day), when people pray for the souls of the departed. Both [...]
Common mistakes to avoid when learning French
Posted by simonager under French, Learning a language
French is probably the least difficult language for English speakers to learn, sharing as it does a great deal of vocabulary with English. However there also plenty of aspect of the language that may cause puzzlement and confusion.
Gender
In English we use he to refer to male humans and animals, and she to refer to females. [...]
Top 5 City Breaks this Autumn
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, English, French, Italian, Learning a language, Spanish
Put some brightness in your diary this autumn…
August has just been pronounced the worst on record, we’re almost in autumn without even seeing a summer, and the evenings are starting to draw in. Anyone living in the UK has ample reason to be jumping on a plane right now - and it seems that, despite [...]
Tags: barcelona, berlin, cava week, city break, english, french, italian, new york, nice, rome, spanish, thanksgiving
Learn French & Eat Chocolate…Can It Be True?
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, French, Learning a language
Anyone who’s been putting off that French course now has the perfect reason to book un petit séjour in Paris this autumn. No need to tell your friends back home the minor detail that it may coincide with Salon du Chocolat, 5 days of pure chocolate heaven - no, they can just be impressed with [...]
Tags: french, french courses, november, october, paris, salon du chocolat
Language Holidays for the Over 50s
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, English, French, German, Italian, Learning a language, Spanish
Why learn a language later in life?
With an increasingly ‘older’ population, and people living for longer, it is not surprising that the over 50s and retirees are now enjoying, and demanding more, of their free time. Many now have the time, money and freedom to indulge in existing passions and explore new interests, whether at [...]
Tags: language learning over 50s, learning a language, learning later in life, young at heart
10 French False Friends to Watch Out For!
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, French, Learning a language
A few French words that aren’t all they seem…
Learning a language is as much about stringing together a perfect sentence as it is about being able to laugh and pick yourself up when you make a mistake. False friends, or faux amis, are one such route to finding yourself in the latter situation - but [...]
Tags: false friends, french
Language Learning: Setting Yourself Goals
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, English, French, German, Italian, Learning a language, Spanish
When you learn something new - whether it’s a sport, a musical instrument or a foreign language - it can really help to have a goal, or set of goals. A goal will not only motivate you and provide the impetus to keep going; it will also give you a valuable means of tracking [...]
Tags: cambridge further exams, celi, dele, delf, language exam preparation course, language holiday abroad, language learning, language learning goals, testdaf
Cactus Opinion: Learning French in Biarritz
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Cactus Staff Opinion, French, Learning a language
Laura Harrison, Cactus TEFL Advisor, tells us about her recent language learning experience in sunny Biarritz
With its spectacular coastline and boutique-lined streets, Biarritz simply oozes Gallic chic and surfing cool.
It’s strange really that these two qualities exist side by side, and even stranger that I, an individual with a self-confessed lack of either attribute, should [...]
Tags: biarritz, cactus tefl, french, french language course
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