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 : Tag
There is no such thing as too early for learning a second language
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad
For monolingual parents who can’t offer their child a bilingual upbringing, it would be money well invested to enroll their children in a foreign language course as early as kindergarten.
I, for example, was raised bilingually - my mom spoke my native Bulgarian and German to me, and I started learning English at a pre-school age. [...]
Tags: america, children, english, german, kindergarten, learning, parents, school, second language, spanish
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 [...]
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
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
Cactus Opinion: A Taste of German in Berlin
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Staff Opinion
Alex Wolfson, Language Travel Advisor for Cactus Language, gives us his thoughts on the language school and city of Berlin, Germany (Feb 07)
If you want to take a language holiday in a vibrant, buzzing city and you are interested in the 20th century, Berlin is for you.
Where do you start with such an important city? [...]
Tags: berlin, german, german course, germany
Learning German in Brighton - week 6
Posted by tristan under German, Language Courses UK
Back in the class and back to the books. Seems last week they covered buildings and shops and talking about things when you are out in the street. We are now at Lektion drei, Übung dreizen or Chapter 3, Section 13. We have covered talking about what job someone does and listening to a conversation, [...]
Tags: brighton, evening class, german, languagecoursesuk
Cactus clients get creative in writing competition…
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, French, German, Italian, Learning a language, Spanish
Cactus’ new year challenge for its clients was to get the creative juices flowing! We asked our clients to write a brief piece about why they would like to take a language course in one of five selected locations (Sorrento, Madrid, Nice, Berlin or Rabat), the winner of each category to be rewarded with a free 1-week language course [...]
Tags: arabic, berlin, course, french, german, italian, language, madrid, nice, rabat, sorrento, spanish
Why it’s worth learning just the basics of a language
Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Learning a language
Tedious verb tables, repetitive text-book exercises with Xavier et Nicole, embarrassing mistakes in front of your mates on a day-trip to Boulogne…the average Brit does not have fond memories of learning a language at school, and picking one up many years later can seem hugely daunting. You’re never going to be fluent, so what’s the [...]
Learning German, valentines in the way - week 5
Posted by tristan under Language Courses UK
This week I had planned to be all caught up and in the class, but I had to take the week off for a valentines dinner with my girlfriend. So I traded he that she would have to do a lesson of practice with me at the weekend.
Back at it next week, promise.
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