Cactus named ‘Agent of the Month’ by IALC

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The International Association of Language Centres (IALC) is a global network of independent language schools. Cactus works closely with IALC schools in locations all around the world including destinations in the UK, the US, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ecuador and Australia.

Each month, IALC nominates a school and agent of the month, and Cactus has been specially selected to be ‘Agent of the Month’ for October.  Rich Ambler, Founder of Cactus, comments: “We are delighted to have been awarded this accolade, especially given the number of partner agents that IALC works with globally. We very much enjoy working with our IALC partners, not only because of the professionalism and efficiency of the staff, but also because of the high quality courses that they offer. IALC schools ensure quality through regular inspection, a code of ethics and a commitment to continuous improvement. On top of this, they provide a high level of attention to students, and a large range of language courses with accommodation and cultural activities included.”

National Geographic - 15 September 2011

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While simply traveling abroad makes you a more enlightened global citizen, you can deepen the experience through language immersion programs that offer cultural excursions. These four provide a range of activities and stays with local host families. Note: Rates listed below are for a family of four.

France › At Coeur de France, families enjoy the rich medieval history of Sancerre, a village in France’s wine country, without even leaving the school. The 400-year-old La Thaumassière château houses both families and French classes. Parents take either group or individual classes, and children can have one-on-one instruction. In the afternoon, families spend the day in the French countryside, including visits to vineyards, farms to sample goat cheese, and the Loire River for fishing and kayaking. Back at the château, kids learn to make crêpes suzette during hands-on cooking classes. Two-week family packages from $6,385.

Costa Rica › Spanish Abroad‘s location in Tamarindo on the Pacific coast means that after morning language classes, the whole family can enjoy a range of beach activities—surfing lessons, swimming, volleyball, boat rides—in addition to birding and zip-lining tours in the rain forest and visiting the monkey park and aquarium. Families live with a host family or in two-story bungalows grouped around a swimming pool and within walking distance of both the school and the beach. Children should be seven years old to participate. A summer language camp is available for families with children ages five to 12. Two-week program with host family accommodations from $3,225.

China › Cactus Language teaches young adults (and families) Mandarin Chinese classes in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. Along with morning classes, each school offers a range of afternoon activities, including dumpling-making and calligraphy (in Shanghai), and visits to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square (in Beijing). Weekend day trips include a visit to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, and the Great Wall of China. Two-week program in Beijing with host family accommodations from $4,140.

https://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/15/family-speaking-in-tongues/

Palm Beach Post - 22 August 2011

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Seasoned travelers know that one of the best ways to get to know a country and its people is to learn the local language. In Europe many people are poly-lingual because it is so easy to cross borders from one country to the next. A trip, comparable to driving from Florida to New York, in Europe could cross a half dozen borders.

Most of us muddle along with high school and/or college language courses that are only good for speaking to the teacher and other students. Cactus Language Training offers the opportunity for immersion lessons that should give students a terrific grounding in speaking and understanding other languages.

There is the opportunity to learn Spanish in Columbia at a school on the banks of the Amazon River; study German in the low-key, untouristy town of Lindau in the shade of the magnificent Alps; or study Russian in Kiev.

The courses are amazingly affordable and begin at $123 per person, sans transportation and accommodations.

For information https://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/us or call 1-888-577-8451.

https://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/travelsmart/2011/08/22/vacation-ideas-from-a-cruise-to-renting-your-own-island/

Meze Magazine - August 2011

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This article in the business section of Meze magazine takes a look at virtual learning options for business people pushed for time.  “If you do business in countries where English isn’t the first language, it pays to be able to do more than order beer and sausage – and being short of time isn’t an excuse.  There’s no need to leave your desk or hotel room when you can lean a language in real time on Skype.  You can speak to trainers freom all over the world and benefit from the extra motivation of having intense, face-to-face training.  Cactus Language Training, whose past clients include big corporations like Goldman Sachs, Deloitte and Credit Suisse have a pool of international trainers available on Skpye for around £29 per house.  ‘All you need is broadand, a headset and a web cam you are ready to log-in,’ says Cactus PR manager Lucy Brandt. “This executive product is for those who have no time to do a session in a training centre.” https://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com

Star Telegram - August 2011

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Learn the language Here’s a chance to take a vacation and learn a language at the same time: Cactus Language Training is offering special bonus pa… read entire article

Read more: https://pd.dfw.com/sp?skin=&keywords=Cactus+Language&aff=1100&submit=Search#ixzz1b7ewDvH5

Boston Globe - 24 July 2011

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New York-based Cactus Language Training offers cultural immersion trips to 60 countries that help travelers learn more than 30 languages. This year’s new programs include learning Spanish and Latin dance at a school on the banks of the Amazon River in Colombia, studying German in a Bavarian town overlooking the Swiss Alps, and mastering Russian in culturally diverse Kiev. Cactus incorporates cultural experiences, like wine tasting, cooking, dancing, diving, surfing, and photography, into each program. Prices start at $123 per week for instruction; various types of accommodations are available. Summer specials include free private lessons in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, when you book a two-week group course. 888-577-8451, https://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com/us

https://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2011/07/24/learn_a_language_live_the_culture/

Cactus attends BETA reception at the House of Lords

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UK Managing Director Richard Bradford and English Product Manager Stephanie Bon joined over 150 industry members, MPs and peers at the House of Lords last week to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the British Educational Travel Association.

This was a wonderful chance for Cactus to catch up with school partners and agents and, importantly, to stay in touch with what’s going on in the industry. The event brought together members of the youth, student and educational travel industry as well as government departments, who together are trying to promote travel abroad for educational purposes. Not only does this give British young people the opportunity to see the world and gain better skills, it is an important ingredient for the future prosperity of the British economy as it contributes to our resources, wealth and social fabric.

Meeting at an event such as this prestigious invitation-only parliamentary reception provided the ideal grounds from which to promote the interests of the industry and communicate the message at the highest level to government and tourism authorities.

Richard and Steph were able to meet members of organisations dealing with inbound, outbound and domestic tourism, including youth and student tour operators, language schools, gap year and volunteering organisations, school travel organisers, work exchange programme organisers, overseas delegates and more.

(In the above image from the reception, Steph appears at the far right and Richard fourth from the right).

The Guardian Careers - 12 July 2011

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Cactus’ Jenny Johnson once again joined the panel at Guardian.co.uk to contribute towards a live discussion about finding TEFL jobs.  Jenny provided expert help and tips across a range of TEFL queries, alongside other industry luminaries: https://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/tefl-jobs

International Food and Travel Writers Association - July 2011

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Programs Offered in 30 Languages in 60 Countries – Four Bonus Offers Announced

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – (July 2011) Cactus Language Training teaches more than 30 languages in 60 countries at 500 destinations worldwide, each year adding new destinations, immersive cultural opportunities and enticing incentives that enhance the process of learning a new language through culturally enriching vacation experiences.  With an emphasis on affordability and authenticity, Cactus’s new 2011 vacation programs include learning Spanish and Latin Dance in Leticia, Colombia at a school on the banks of the Amazon; studying German in the low-key, less touristy Bavarian town of Lindau overlooking the Swiss Alps; and mastering Russian in culturally diverse Kiev, Ukraine near Belarus.  One-week programs begin at US/Cdn $123 per person.  Accommodations are additional and are customized according to desired budget to include home stays, resorts, hotels and other options. Prices for all Cactus programs are guaranteed in US /Cdn dollars.

The new Colombia location is one of 70 destinations in which Cactus offers Spanish language instruction; others include Argentina, Costa Rica, and two in Spain. Likewise, those who seek to speak French fluently can choose among 26 destinations, including Monaco; coastal Biarritz and Bordeaux in France; or Montreal. If ease with Italian is the goal, Cactus offers 22 locations across Italy.  Thai, Turkish and Brazilian Portuguese are among the 30 languages offered by Cactus.

Special Offers

Seasonal bonus offers include:

· 4 weeks for the price of 3 in Annecy, France. US/Cdn $1032. Accommodations are additional.

· 3 weeks for the price of 2 in Sorrento, Italy. US/Cdn $660. Accommodations are additional.

· Free private lessons in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. US/Cdn $543 for a 2-week group course, with free private tuition.

· Free half-day tour in Faro, Portugal. If you book a two-week course (starting now through October 3), a half-day bird watching or luxury boat tour is included. US/Cdn $703 for a 2-week course.

Cactus believes that “one size does not fit all” and tailors its broad range of programs to fit the individual needs of the learner.  Adding a further dimension to its in situ programs, Cactus incorporates cultural experiences, ranging from wine tasting and cooking to dance and diving, to strengthen and reinforce the day’s language lessons.  Cactus also offers courses for children, teenagers, families and mature travelers, as well as executives.

Now Magazine - July 2011

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This health special from Now Magazine, covers a range of holidays where you can get fit and learn a new skill.  The magazine is one of the highest-circulation women’s weekly magazines in the UK.  Laurie Hadleigh, features editor, writes: “Capoeira in Brazil – Perfect for those who have a passion for culture as well as adventure, this is an amaxzing fitness holiday in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.  Not only can you tone-up with capoeira clases, which combine dance. sport and martial arts moves, but you can also give your brain a workout with a Portuguese language course too!  A toned tummy and a new language skill? Obrigado, we say!  Prices start from £299 for one week (course only).  Visit cactuslanguage.com for more info.