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
German : 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
Business etiquette in Germany
Posted by simonager under German, Learning a language
When doing business in Germany or with Germans elsewhere, it is a very good idea to familiarise yourself with German business etiquette to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
It is best to make appointments for meetings well in advance – at least a week or two’s notice is needed for meetings arranged by [...]
Gutten appetit - Essential German words and phrases for eating out
Posted by simonager under German, Learning a language
Traditionally in Germany lunch (mittagessen) is the biggest meal of the day, while dinner (abendessen) tends to be smaller. Most restaurants (Restaurant/Gaststätte) do serve larger dinners as well. Breakfast (Frühstück) also tends to be quite substanstial even in cheap hotels. Some people have a second breakfast (zweites Frühstück), a smaller version of the first breakfast [...]
Tags: culture, food, germany, germna, vocabulary
Weinachten - essential German words and phrases for Christmas
Posted by simonager under German, Learning a language
Christmas (Weinachten) in Germany is the most important annual celebration. The festivities begin on the forth Sunday before Christmas, or the first day of Advent. Families set up Advent wreathes (Adventskranze) and Christmas / Advent markets (Christkindlmärkte) traditionally start. Shops stay open later during this period as well.
On 6th December, St Nicholas’ Day (Nikolaus), on [...]
Tags: christmas, christmas eve, christmas markets, culture, december, food, german, germany, tradition
Get Ready for Oktoberfest in Munich!
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, German, Learning a language
Ther perfect excuse to learn German and drink beer…
It may come as a surprise that the world’s biggest beer festival, Munich’s Oktoberfest, was born out of celebration for a royal wedding back in the early 19th century. Yet it was the drinking and partying that drew most attention at the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig [...]
Tags: german course munich, german courses germany, munich, october, oktoberfest, september
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
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
Learning English & German in Brighton…as a Spaniard!
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, English, German, Language Courses UK, Learning a language
Cactus intern Fátima Rego tells us how she juggles English & German during her stay in Brighton
Hello to all. Thanks for your warm welcome! I am called Fátima, Spanish (from the north-north), and I’ve been living in Brighton for three months. I work in a wonderful company, Cactus, that has offered me the possibility of [...]
Tags: english, german evening course, language courses in brighton, learn english, learning german
The Language of the EU
Posted by Sarah under English, French, German, In the Press, Italian
Augusta Nicol, Director of Studies at Cactus New York, comments on Berlusconi’s latest upset
Silvio Berlusconi, the intractable and obstinate Italian Prime Minister, has thrown a tantrum over the fact that EU meetings use the languages that most Europeans speak, and not Italian (read full article in EUobserver here).
He has “advised his ministers to walk out [...]
Tags: berlusconi, eu, italian
German Language Guide (3): Ways to Learn German
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Cactus Tailormade, German, Language Courses New York, Language Courses UK, Learning a language
Making the decision to learn a language and actually going about it can be two very different things. It can be a daunting enough experience deciding to learn a new skill, especially later in life, let alone be faced with a myriad of ways in which to do it.
Below is an overview of the different [...]
Tags: german, german course abroad, german courses, german evening class
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