10 great contemporary French films to watch

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The following films, all successful on the international stage, showcase some of France’s best known actors and directors of this era. Included amongst them are Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard, Audrey Tatou, Mathieu Amalric and even British actress Kristin Scott-Thomas. All are well worth a watch and will really help your pronunciation, your vocabulary and, of course, your listening skills.

1. La Haine

Released in 1995, this globally acclaimed film depicts the racial tensions and riots that occurred in many Parisien ‘banlieues’ around this time. Shot in black and white, La Haine follows the movements of three young men over a period of twenty-four hours. All three, of different ethnic origins, have grown up in these French suburbs and have experienced the clashes with police first-hand. One of the group, Vinz (payed by Vincent Cassel), comes into possession of a missing police firearm and vows to use it and get the respect he ‘deserves’…

2. Amélie (originally Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain)

Released in 2001, Amélie is a unique, upbeat film that launched the international film career of actress Audrey Tatou and was nominated for five Oscars. Amélie is a fantastical story about a girl of the same name who missed out on a normal childhood due to her father’s mistaken concern that she had a heart defect. As a result, Amélie was starved of any real life social contact and retreated to her own make-believe world with dreams of love and beauty. Later, when Amelie moves to Paris, she decides to help those ill-fated lovers around her and along the way, falls into a love story of her own…

3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

‘Le Scaphandre et le Papillion’ as it’s called in French was released in 2007 and soon became a global hit. It was based on the amazing book by Jean- Dominique Bauby (former editor-in-chief of Elle magazine), who, out of the blue, fell victim to ‘locked in syndrome’, which brings about almost total paralysis of the body. Despite being unable to speak or move, Jean- Dominique succeeded in painstakingly committing his story to paper using only blinking movements, a specially devised alphabet, and the aid of a companion to transcribe. Despite its theme, the film is very funny in parts, and although a very sad and moving story, it serves as a great reminder for how easy it is to take life for granted.

4. La Vie en Rose

Another film from 2007 is the fantastic ‘La Vie en Rose’, a biography of adored French singer Edith Piaf. It’s renowned French actress Marion Cotillard who plays Piaf in the film, and in fact it was this role for which she won an Oscar – it was the first time the award had been given for a French language role. Gerard Depardieu also stars in the film, which spans the whole of Piaf’s life, from her humble beginnings in the slums of Paris to the international success but personal tragedies that she experienced prior to her death in 1963.

5. Il y a Longtemps Que Je T’aime

‘I’ve loved you so long’ as it translates in English was released in 2008 and won a BAFTA for ‘best film not in the English language’. It was also nominated for scores of other awards, including a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award. In the lead role is fluent French speaker Kristin Scott Thomas, who plays a woman reunited with her sister after a 15-year jail term. The film explores family relationships and social stigmas, but there is more to the story than we are first led to believe…

6. Entre les Murs (The Class)

This Paris-set film was also released in 2008. It is based on an autobiographical novel by François Bégaudeau and is another film that explores life in the Parisien banlieues. This time, the story follows the lives of a class of school children as they approach their final years at school, and the teachers who attempt to educate and inspire in a tough inner city environment that does the opposite.

7. Coco Before Chanel

Another fantastic biopic of a French icon is Coco Before Chanel, a film released in 2009 that tells the life story of world-famous fashion designer Coco Chanel. In the lead role once again is Audrey Tatou, who superbly depicts Coco’s rise from poor, provincial seamstress and performer to the personification of Parisien chic that she became.

8. Un Prophète

‘A prophet’ as it translates in English, is a hard-hitting film about a young Arab man who is sent to a French prison. Although an unwilling subject initially, he soon finds himself tasked by the Corsican mafia who rule the roost, and works his way up the ranks to become prison ’kingpin’. Released in 2009, it received critical acclaim on a global level and was nominated in the following year for best foreign language film at the Oscars.

9. Gainsbourg

Released in 2010, this is the story of French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. The film spans his eventful life, from his formative years in 1940 occupied Paris to his success as a song-writer in the 1960s and the complicated relationships that came alongside it.

10. Mésrine

Another film starring Vincent Cassel is Mésrine, the story of notorious French gangster of the 60s and 70s, Jacques Mésrine. Infamous for his bravado and numerous prison escapes, he carried out numerous robberies and murders in a criminal career that spanned continents until he was shot dead in 1979 by France’s equally as notorious anti-gang unit. Completed in 2008, the film was made in two parts, and although lengthy is well worth a watch.

Cactus Language offer French courses in the UK, New York, France and Canada!

Top sites to see on your New York trip!

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1. Go to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller centre on a clear day, the view from the 70th floor is really amazing. It’s $20 or $30 if you want a double entry pass so you can go back at night. Some people say it’s better to do it from the Empire State building instead (100th floor) but then you don’t get to see the Empire State so…

2. Go to a Knicks or Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. I saw the Rangers and it was amazing. I’m not even into it but it’s not the point, the point is to drink beer, have a hot dog and sing along with the crowd or shout at the players 🙂

3. Go out in the Village (Greenwich Village), it’s such a cool area. I especially recommend the Fat Cat and Arthur’s Tavern. The first venue is good for Jazz (which I don’t like, but it’s a cool bar anyway), and the second one is amazing for blues,

check out Sweet Georgia Brown, she’s awesome. Then have a hot dog at the Five Guys on Bleecker Street, best hot dog I’ve ever had!

4. Go to a Broadway show and as a tourist Million Dollar Quartet seems a must… Make sure you get your tickets at the TKTS booth on Times Square though, you can get up to 50% off on same-day shows, so anything between $40 and $60 depending on the show.

5. Go to a comedy show, I went to Ha next to Times Square and it was really, really funny. There are guys selling tickets along Times Square for just $10 for same-day shows.

6. Take a cruise to Liberty and Ellis Island. There is only the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island but the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island is definitely worth a visit, most cruises visit both islands.

7. Have a beer (or five) at the Bohemian Hall Beer Garden in Queens. I was there for Halloween and it was a tad too cold for it but in the summer it must be amazing.

8. The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is free on Fridays between 4-8pm in case you’re into museums (I didn’t go but I wish I had).

9. Go to D.C. for the weekend or 3 days if you can, only 4 hours by train. It’s a great city and the opposite of NYC (clean, green, historic) so a nice change of scenery. Walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol and take in all the war memorials, the White House and the Washington Monument on the way. Go for a stroll in Georgetown too, which is a cute neighborhood with lots of shops and restaurants.

Portuguese study destinations: Rio de Janeiro

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History

Rio de Janeiro, or Rio for short, is located on the southeast coast of Brazil and is the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro. It was the capital of Brazil until 1960 as well, and is Brazil’s second largest city with over ten million inhabitants. Rio was first discovered by Europeans on 1st January 1502 , hence the name, which means “January River”. It is also known as “A Cidade Maravilhosa” or “The Marvelous City”.

Landmarks

Famous landmarks in Rio include Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor), the giant statue of Jesus on top of Corcovado mountain; the Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar), which you can climb via cable car; and one of the largest football stadiums in the world, Maracanã. The city is also home to the largest urban forests in the world: Floresta da Tijuca and the forest in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca.

Features

Rio is a cosmopolitan city with residents and visitors from all over the world. It is also a city of contrasts with very rich areas and large shanty towns or favelas in close proximity to one another. It’s famous for its music, especially samba; its sport, especially football; and its lively night life, and the locals, known as Cariocas, certainly like to have fun on the beaches, and in the bars, restaurants and night clubs. There are also museums, theatres and plenty of other attractions to visit.

Climate

Rio enjoys a tropical climate with annual average temperatures of between 23°C and 26°C. At times it can get up to 40°C, though sea breezes help to moderate such highs, and rarely falls below 10°C. It can rain quite a lot between December and March, and much less between May and September.

Courses

There’s no shortage of Portuguese language schools in Rio which offer a range of courses, including general and intensive courses, preparation for Portuguese proficiency exams, Portuguese for business, individual lessons, and combinations of Portuguese lessons with samba, capoeira, cooking, music or other activities.

Cactus Language offer a variety of Brazilian Portuguese language courses in Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo, UK & US.

The Arabic Language: History, Usage & Difficulty of Arabic

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Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by between 200 and 400 million native speakers, and a further 250 million non-native speakers, in nearly twenty countries in the Middle East and North Africa. There is a standard form of Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is based on the language of the Koran, Classical Arabic, and is used as the lingua franca among educated Arabic speakers from different regions, as well as the main language of the media and films. Read more →

My week in Marrakech: learning Arabic in Morocco

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Marrakech – the first city that comes to everyone’s mind when you think of Morocco. The red city as it’s also known, the noise, the busy and narrow streets, the souks where you cannot walk without being noticed, the lovely, chatty people, the smells of cinnamon, cumin and mint tea…

I had the chance to spend a whole week here, not only as a tourist, but as a student of Arabic. I have been learning Arabic for a little over a year now. I first started studying in England, through Arabic evening courses, once a week. These courses taught me the basics, to be able to understand basic conversations and to read and write Arabic.

I then decided to go to an Arabic-speaking country to improve my language skills and put them into practice with local people. To my surprise, people could understand me, better than I had anticipated, and I was able to have daily interactions with the locals.

I choose Morocco because I fell in love with the country and its people from the first time I visited. It’s in their nature to make you feel welcome and to make you want to stay there FOREVER.

The week in Marrakech and the Marrakech school exceeded my expectations completely. The staff was so nice and welcoming that I wish I could have stayed longer. The school is in a very nice area in the new part of the city – very easy to reach from the accommodation options they offer. I chose to stay in an apartment, but with hindsight I think the option of staying with a host family would have made my experience even better. Maybe next time – as there will definitely be a next time!

My teacher was always very well prepared for the lessons and the method he used was a very communicative. I have never before spoken so much during classes. His English was really good, but we mainly spoke in Arabic. The classrooms are equipped with screens and other interactive materials, used to introduce the topics. This made the lessons fun and effective. I much preferred it to following a book.

The 2 hours of lessons a day went so fast through learning new vocabulary, putting it into practice, playing games to practice, and creating my own texts with my own experiences. We also worked with short videos that were used as prompts for us to speak and use the language we were learning. The lessons were complemented with other activities such as Henna seminars and cooking classes, which are an amazing way of getting to know the culture during the course.

The progress made by going to the country where the language is spoken cannot be measured. It’s something absolutely necessary if you really want to make quick progress and it’s not only about the language, but also about immersing yourself in the culture and customs.

As a female travelling on my own in Morocco, I felt completely safe. It is true that men approach you and try to speak to you, as they can tell you are not local. It can happen quite a lot, to the point that it can get annoying. This happens especially in the tourist hot spots such as Marrakech, Fez, and Tangier. If you travel to cities like Rabat or go to the dessert, it is not so bad.

There is no reason to be scared though, this sort of behaviour is very common in the Mediterranean. In Morocco you have to add the fact that local women will not talk to men they don’t know on the streets, so they target foreign women.

If you are in the souks, most of the men just want you to buy their tea pots, spices, souvenirs, etc. To avoid being bothered, you just keep on walking and don’t respond, same as Moroccan women do.

On the other hand, the souks are a good place to practice Arabic, and when people see you speak the local language, you always get better prices! People are generally very nice and welcoming, and as long as you treat them with respect, you should have no problems at all. Just be aware and, as in any other place in the world, it’s always best to go exploring accompanied by other people, especially at night.

Follow in Lety’s footsteps and learn Arabic in Marrakech

Top 5 South American carnival destinations

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1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The most famous carnival in South America takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Feb 18th – 21st in 2012, and attracts people from all over the world. One of the highlights of this is the samba parade competition, in which samba schools from different neighborhoods of the city take part. They each choose a different theme each year and spend all year practising their music and dancing, and preparing their costumes and floats. There are also street carnivals in different parts of the city with bands and dancers wearing all sorts of elaborate costumes, as well as balls and dance parties where dressing up is very much encouraged.

2. Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Another famous Brazilian carnival, also known as the world’s largest party, is held in Salvador da Bahia on the north east coast of Brazil and attracts several million people each year. While the costumes aren’t as elaborate and spectacular as in Rio, there is a greater variety of music – not just samba – and many of Brazil’s top musicians and singers perform there. The bands parade slowly around the city on trucks known as ‘trios eléctricos’, and you can join them, watching from special stands known as ‘camarotes’ along the route, or just watch and listen from wherever you can find space. In 2012 the Salvador carnival will be held from Feb 16th – 22nd.

3. El Callao, Venezuela

Each February a large carnival takes place in El Callao in the Venezuelan state of Boliva, featuring a mixture of music and costumes from Venezuela, the West Indies and the French Antilles. There are also carnivals in other parts of Venezuela, including Los Tambores de Bariovento and Trinidad.

4. Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, Panama

Carnival celebrations are held all over Panama, with the largest in Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, the captial. These celebrations are huge parties with parades, music, dancing and amazing costumes. One particular Panamanian tradition is the throwing of water at one another, the ‘mojadera’, which is both lots of fun and a great way to keep cool (so leave your best clothes at home!). In 2012 these carnivals will take place between Feb 18th – 21st.

5. Gualeguaychú, Argentina

Early each year the city of Gualeguaychú in the north east of Argentina holds huge carnival celebrations where you can enjoy fabulous costimes, music and dancing. The Carnaval del País is held every Saturday in January and February, culminating in a big fiesta on Sunday March 19th. Head to the corsódromo, a large, purpose-built stadium, to enjoy hundreds of dancers and musicians as well as a spectacular parade.

Portuguese language courses in Brazil

Spanish language courses in South and Central America

Carnivals in February and March: the best places to party

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One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture of a place – and, by default, the language too – is to visit during carnival time. There is no better time to see the locals let their hair down, the mood lift and the streets fill with merriment, laughter and fun. People will chat to you freely, you’ll usually experience the best culinary delights of the region and in many cases you will gain a glimpse into history as many festivals take root in centuries-old traditions.

February and March are great months for carnivals across the world, and if you can catch just one then it will be a trip to remember. It’s worth noting that accommodation during festival time can be scarce or expensive, but if you book a language course with accommodation you will avoid this problem; moreover, those staying with local families will really see the culture from the inside!

So if you want to join in the fun, here are some of the best festivals over the coming months…

Latin America & Worldwide:

Top 5 Latin America carnival destinations: Throughout February and Marchimage

Quebec Winter Festival, Canada:  27th January – 12th February

Chinese New Year: January 23rd

Europe

Carnevale di Venezia, Venice: February 11th – 21st

Carnevale di Viareggio: February 5th – March 3rd

Karneval in Dusseldorf & Cologne, Germany: Throughout February

Berlin International Film Festival, Germany: February 9th – 19th

Las Fallas, Valencia: March 15th – 19th

St Patrick’s Day, Ireland: March 17th

NB. It’s worth bearing in mind that some language schools will close on any public holidays that fall during festival time. However the opportunity to witness local festivities and practise the language outside the classroom usually more than makes up for any missed classes!

Top 10 food & wine destinations in Latin America

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In a recent survey by the world’s largest travel review site, TripAdvisor, Cactus is delighted to see that it offers language vacations in ALL of the top 10 food and wine locations in Latin America. From succulent steaks to sumptuous seafood and delectable chocolate, it seems the continent has it all – so book your trip, y ¡buen provecho!

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

It’s probably not ideal to visit Argentina’s vibrant capital if you’re vegetarian – that said, the city’s Italian roots ensure an ample supply of Italian restaurants offering meat-free pizza and pasta. But it’s with all things beef that the city really comes into its element. If you’re after a melt-in-the-mouth steak washed down by a world-class Malbec at a giveaway price, then Buenos Aires is the place for you. You are literally spoilt for choice with ‘parrillas’ offering an array of grilled cuts of meat – plus intestines, if that’s your thing. All cooked very simply as that’s all it needs; the hardest decision will be choosing which delicious local wine to accompany your platter.

Spanish courses in Buenos Aires

2. Cuyo, Argentina

The Cuyo region of Argentina is located on the eastern slopes of the Andes and comprises the province of Mendoza, an area boasting spectacular mountains alongside fertile wine-growing land – this region on its own producing nearly two thirds of the country’s wine. The provincial capital of Mendoza is easily one of Argentina’s most livable cities, attracting people from afar with its active cultural scene, thriving nightlife and accessibility to mountain-based adventure sports such as white water rafting and skiing. Be reassured there is ample opportunity to replenish your energy at the end of the day, huge slabs of steak in wait and yes, you’ve guessed it, a mouth-watering selection of wine from the nearby vineyards.

Spanish courses in Mendoza

3. Lima, Peruimage

Traditionally best known for being home to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, Peru is now gaining something of a reputation for its cuisine, and nowhere more so than in its capital, Lima. The food here is a reflection of the city’s rich cultural history, a mix of Spanish, African and Asian influences that manifests itself in spicy creole dishes and Chinese-inspired ‘chifa’ cuisine. With its coastline generously supplying the fishing industry, the country’s signature dish is ‘ceviche’, a tangy plate of raw fish and shellfish marinated in lime juice and hot peppers; head to a cevichería to sample ceviche like the locals, and finish up with a swift pisco sour, the national cocktail of local grape brandy and egg white. Other typical foods worth trying include anticuchos (marinated beef hearts), cau cau (tripe stew), papas a la huancaina (a potato and cheese dish) and, to round it all off, alfajores (a sweet filled pastry).

Spanish courses in Lima

4. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

Argentina does it again with an impressive third appearance in the top four. And although you can of course get your fill of steaks and wine here, Bariloche has another string to its bow: chocolate. Not what you would expect, perhaps, from this beautiful Patagonian city in the foothills of the Andes, a major centre for skiing, trekking and mountaineering – yet the perfect treat to re-fuel after a day’s outdoor activities. Stemming back to the arrival of European settlers – notably Swiss and Italian – in the late 1800s, Bariloche’s chocolate industry has flourished ever since, and there are dozens of chocolate shops all over the city tempting you with their creations. It would be rude not to indulge, after all, in the chocolate capital of South America!

Spanish courses in Bariloche

5. Santiago de Chile, Chile

Chilean food tends to be quite meat- and seafood-based, the latter thanks to its long coastline which provides plentiful fresh ingredients for dishes such as pastel de jaiba (crab tart), mariscal (seafood stew) and ceviche (marinated raw fish and seafood). More hearty fare includes parrillada (barbecued meat), arrollado huaso (pork steak rolled with red chilli), empanadas (pastries filled with a mix of onion, beef and boiled egg) and pastel de choclo (a tart made from ground corn and filled with a mix of onion and beef or chicken). Being the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world, it goes without saying that wine is the main drink in Chile and you will be presented with a fine choice to accompany any meal that you sit down to.

Spanish courses in Santiago de Chile

6. Cusco, Peru

When it comes to eating, the ancient city of Cusco does not disappoint. With strong indigenous roots, year of colonial life and a regular influx of international tourists, the cuisine of this city high in the Andes is both exciting and delicious. Typical dishes include pepian de conejo or cuy (rabbit or guinea pig cooked with onion, garlic and peppers – guinea pig is a very traditional food item in Cusco), adobe and chicharrones (fried pork rind), humitas (sweet corn muffins filled with cinnamon and raisins, steamed in corn leaves), tamales (similar to humitas, but filled with meat) and stuffed chilli pieppers. And to wash it all down? The local Cusqueña beer is a great choice, or a pisco sour for something a bit stronger, and chicha if you want to do as the locals do; this fermented corn beverage comes in various strengths and is best sampled in one of Cusco’s many thriving chicherías.

Spanish courses in Cusco

7. Cartagena, Colombia

Coming in at number seven is Colombia’s beautiful Caribbean port town of Cartagena. With its coastal location it comes as no surprise that seafood tops the list of must-try dishes, ceviche (marinated raw fish and seafood) and caldero (a fish and rice dish) being popular choices. Meat also features in plenty of dishes (try ‘viuda’, a mixture of beef, pork or chicken with steamed vegetables) and soups such as sancocho and mote de queso are well worth trying. Again, Cartagena has a lot to thank its location for, as tropical fruit juices are extremely easy and cheap to make, providing a delicious and healthy refreshment under the hot Caribbean sun. Melon, mango, tamarind and papaya are just some of the flavours to choose between – try something different every day of your stay! 

Spanish courses in Cartagena

8. Bogota, Colombia

Colombia’s capital city is the country’s second entry in the top 10, this time for a particular beverage rather than its food though. And that beverage is nothing other than hot chocolate, or ‘chocolate santafereño’ as it’s known in Bogota. Now I am something of a hot chocolate addict but I’ve never tasted hot chocolate like I have in Bogota; here, the hot chocolate is whipped up rich and creamy, and then cubes of queso blanco, a salty cheese, are dropped in and allowed to melt. The overall result is a delectable creamy drink that’s both salty and sweet, perfect for those cold Andean mornings or as an after-dinner treat.

Spanish courses in Bogota

9. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio earns its place in the top 10 foodie destinations of Latin America for the sheer range of food on offer here, thanks to influences from all over the world plus a number of excellent local dishes that never go out of fashion. Feijoada is the hearty national dish and is both filling and economic, consisting of staples such as rice, beans and sausage. Meat-eaters should head for a churrascaria, where you can eat your fill of meat and seafood, while on the move you might like to grab a lighter snack such as a salgadinho, a small savoury filled pastry. And you don’t have to have been to Brazil to have tried its national drink, the caipirinha, a popular cocktail in bars worldwide; made with cachaça, sugar, lime and water, it is delicious and refreshing, and a must in any Rio bar.

Portuguese courses in Rio

10. Panama City, Panama

Bordered by sea on both sides, Panama is spoilt for choice when it comes to fish and seafood. You will find corvina (sea bass) on the menu everywhere, used in many recipes and also served simply raw and marinated as ceviche. Other staples to look out for include sancocho (a delicious chicken and vegetable broth), filled or topped tortillas (which are thicker than you may have tasted in other countries), arroz con guandu (a popular side dish of rice cooked with beans and spices) and tropical Central American fruits. ¡Delicioso!

Spanish courses in Panama City

Best European festivals this winter

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Taking a language course during a festival will not only give you an insight into the culture of the country you’re visiting, it’ll also give you great opportunities to practise the language, and will assure you accommodation that may otherwise be hard (and expensive) to find. Of course, it’ll also mean that you have some great nights out…

Here are our pick of the best winter festivals for the start of 2012.

1. Karneval, Cologne and Düsseldorf

Every February Germany sheds its straight-laced image and parties hard with endless events and parades. The cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf are especially well-known for the scale of their festivities…

Karneval is the name given to this period of celebration in the area around Cologne and Düsseldorf (in the north west of Germany), although it’s known by other names in different parts of the country. Although the festivities officially commence in November, Carnival’s three-day climax is the best time to see the cities let their hair down.

It’s a time of parades, masks, parties and Carnival kings and queens – in fact, for fun in general. The exact time of celebration and the traditions vary from region to region but it generally takes place in early spring, six weeks or so before Easter.

More about German courses in Cologne and Düsseldorf

2. Carnevale, Venice and Viareggio

Just as in Germany, there are lots of festivities in Italy that mark the beginning of Lent. Venice is doubtlessly home to the most famous carnival in the country, with its characteristic carnival masks and the party atmosphere that goes alongside it, but the Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio also celebrates in style. Whilst the carnival in Venice is hugely well-known and certainly something to behold, the small streets and alleyways make it very crowded, and prices during this time can be fearsomely expensive. Whilst Viareggio still attracts thousands of visitors, it can be a little less chaotic and less expensive option for enjoying the festivities.

The Venice canival will be take place from 11th-21st February in 2012, and the Viareggio carnival from 5th-26th February.

More about Italian courses in Venice and Viareggio

3. Carnaval, Nice

Granted, people need little persuasion to visit this classy city on the French Riviera, but the carnival presents a great reason to go. It may not be as warm as in the balmy summer months, but there’ll still be plenty of sunshine to enjoy.

The Nice carnival (17th February – 4th March 2012) is actually one of the biggest in the world, and offers an array of entertainment options, lots of carnival processions and the pretty “flower battles” between floats. The theme for 2012 is ‘King of Sport’ a reference to the 2012 London Olympics and the sporting dynamism of Nice.

More about French courses in Nice

4. Las Fallas, Valencia

Taking place every March (17th-20th March in 2012), Las Fallas is a spectacular pyrotechnic festival – it is one of Spain’s most famous and certainly one of the world’s most unique. Taking place in the coastal city of Valencia each March, this is a fiesta for those who like noise and little sleep!

It’s a fantastic display to see, and the events surrounding the pyrotechnics will give you a great insight into the lively side of Spanish culture, and of course, give you ample opportunity to taste the local gastronomic delights…

More about Spanish courses in Valencia

5. St Patricks Day, Dublin and Cork

St Patrick’s Day (17th March) is a national holiday in Ireland and celebrations are held throughout the country, although wherever there are Irish people, or people of Irish origin, there is also likely to be a party! St Patrick’s feast day was originally a religious festival, but over the centuries has become far more associated with parades and parties. Holding St Patrick’s Day parades is a custom which began in 1737 in Boston, America when people of Irish origin held a modest celebration but since then the custom has spread to places all over the world.

Dublin holds a St Patrick’s festival over a few days around the 17th March, which includes a funfair, a circus, concerts, a treasure hunt, street performances, dances, art exhibitions, firework displays, a big parade and a variety of other activities and shows. Each year over a million spectators and some four thousand performers take part in these events.

There is also a three-day St Patrick’s festival in Cork involving a big parade, marching bands, dancing, street theatre, concerts and much more.

More about English courses in Dublin and Cork

Weihnachten - essential German words and phrases for Christmas

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The festivities begin on the forth Sunday before Christmas, or the first day of Advent. Families set up Advent wreathes (Adventskränze) , traditionally with four candles, one of which is lit each Sunday before Christmas, counting down the weeks. Christmas / Advent markets (Christkindlmärkte / Weihnachtsmärkte) traditionally start at this time and shops stay open later.

On the eve of 6th December, St Nicholas’ Day (Nikolaus), children put their shoes or boots (Nikolaus-Stiefel) by the fireplace or outside their bedroom door. If they have been good, their Nikolaus-Stiefel will be full of edible treats in the morning, but if they’ve been bad they will only receive a tree branch (Rute).

On Christmas Eve (Heiligabend), the Christmas tree (Weihnachtsbaum / Christbaum / Tannenbaum) is revealed. Children eagerly look forward to seeing it as they are not allowed to do so before then. German Christmas trees are decorated in a similar way to those in the UK and USA with tinsel (Lametta), lights (Lichter), candles (Kerzen), and edible decorations such as nuts, apples and sweets. Presents (Geschenke) are put under the trees and plates piled with fruit (Obst), nuts (Nüsse), marzipan (Marzipan), chocolate (Schokolade) and home-made seasonal biscuits (Weihnachtsgebäck) and laid out. When the children hear a bell, the can go in to see the tree.

Families sing Christmas carols (Weihnachtslieder) and open presents, and everyone wishes one another Merry Christmas (Fröhliche Weihnachten / Frohe Weinachten / Frohes Fest). Some people go to midnight Mass (Christmette), where there will traditionally be a display of the crib in the stable (Krippe) and a re-enactment of the story of Christmas (Krippenspiel).

Christmas Eve is a time for feasting. The traditional dish eaten on Christmas day is roast goose (Gänsebraten / Weihnachtsgans) stuffed with apples (Äpfel) and prunes (Backpflaumen) or chestnuts (Esskastanien) with dumplings (Knödel) and red cabbage (Rotkohl). Also popular is carp (Karpfen / Weihnachtskarpfen).  In some regions the Christmas feast takes place on Christmas day (der erste Weihnachtsfeiertag) and simple dishes are served on Christmas eve, such as stew (Eintopf) or sausages (Würstchen) with potato salad (Kartoffelsalat).

For dessert there various kinds of sweet bread, such as Christstollen (long loaves of sweet bread with nuts, raisins and dried fruit), Lebkuchen (spiced ginger bread, normally chocolate covered), Marzipan and Dresden Stollen (a type of moist bread filled with fruit).

On 26th December (der zweite Weihnachtsfeiertag), a holiday in Germany, people generally visit family and friends.