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
culture : Tag
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
Buon appetito! Why Italian meal times are such a special occasion
Posted by simonager under Italian, Learning a language
In Italy people live to eat whereas in some other nations, such as the UK, people tend to eat to live. Food is taken seriously in Italy and meals are social occasions which can last several hours as the food and drink is enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Every region and many towns have their own [...]
Truffles (Tartufi)
Posted by simonager under Italian, Learning a language
Truffles are the fruiting body (ascoma) of a type of fungi found in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. They have been used as food, aphrodisiacs and medicines since Roman times, and are the one of the most expensive foods in the world. They are especially popular in French, northern Italy and parts of [...]
Tags: culture, england, food, italian, itlay, november, october, truffles
Superstitions in Italy: what’s considered good and bad luck
Posted by simonager under Learning a language, Spanish
There is quite a lot of regional variation in the superstitions held in Italian, however there are a number of widely-held ones such as the concept of luck, whether good or bad, and fear of evil spirits. Such beliefs are most common among Italian peasants.
The most widely-held superstition in Italy is fear of the evil [...]
English Language Guide (3): English Culture Worldwide
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, English
The differing cultures of English-speaking people around the world
English is spoken as a native language in many countries all over the world. There are differences between the varieties of English spoken in different countries and regions, and also differences in the cultures of English-speaking people.
Tags: australia, culture, english, ireland, new zealand, south africa, uk, usa
German Language Guide (2): German Culture
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, German, Learning a language
Germans have a reputation for being well organised, formal, punctual and somewhat lacking in humour. Is there any truth behind these stereotypes?
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