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 : Tag
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
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
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
Did Obama get it right or not?
Posted by augusta under Cactus Languages Abroad, English, In the Press, Learning a language
It’s not only Obama’s comment about learning languages that has been interesting over the past week here in New York - “we should have every child speaking more than one language” - but also the responses from a range of groups who agree and disagree with him to varying extents.
Tags: english, french, japanese, learning languages, obama
Cactus Language ‘Survival Kits’ - your pre-holiday essential!
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, French, Italian, Language Courses UK, Learning a language, Spanish
Katie Bann of Cactus Language Training tells us about the exciting Survival Kits available this June only
‘The limits of my language are the limits of my universe’ - Ludwig Wittgenstein
This June, for the first time, Cactus are offering intensive language Survival Kits in four different languages and we are really excited about them! Being able to [...]
Tags: evening language courses in the uk, french, italian, london, portuguese, russell square, soho, spanish, survival kit
Recent Posts
- Cactus appears on Five News!
- Cactus Opinion: English Course in Edinburgh
- New Year’s Eve Plans? Dare to Dream…
- Cactus Launches new language education site
- Cactus Meets The Mayor!
Categories
- Cactus Languages Abroad
- Cactus School Groups Abroad
- Cactus Staff Opinion
- Cactus Tailormade
- Cactus TEFL
- English
- French
- German
- In the Press
- Italian
- Language Courses New York
- Language Courses UK
- Languages
- Learning a language
- News
- Press Release
- Spanish
Tags
Argentina Brighton Festival Cactus TEFL china chinese christmas Costa Rica Cuba culture December EFL English flamenco food france French German Germany Italian italy language language course Language Courses New York language holidays language learning Languages learning london Mandarin Mexico new year New York November October Olympics portuguese Rich Ambler Richard Bradford Seville spain Spanish surfing Suzanne Furstner Scholarship tefl the guardianArchives
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- September 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
Recent Comments
- german-course-germany.de on Cactus Opinion: English Course in Edinburgh
- Albert tony on Online Diary: TEFL in Seville from our Scholarship winner! (1)
- Teach English Asia on Cactus Opinion: English Course in Edinburgh
- Pete on Cactus Opinion: English Course in Edinburgh
- Julia on Cactus Launches new language education site
Blogroll
- Brave New Traveler
- Foster Students Exploring the World
- Gadling
- Higher Education Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
- Indie Travel Podcast
- intelligent travel
- Italy Mag
- Learn to Speak Spanish Blog
- Learning Spanish Blog
- perceptive travel
- perceptive travel blog
- Spain Magazine
- Spanish Teaching
- The Expeditioner
- The Guardian - Language courses
- The Guardian TEFL
- the tranquilo traveler
- The Travelers Notebook
- Travel review blog
- Travelmag
- Viator Travel Blog
- wide world cafe