Suzanne Furstner Foundation Scholarship 2010: Shortlisted Entry Number 2

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Applicants who wanted to apply for the scholarship, which comprises a four-week TEFL course in San Francisco plus a language course, were asked to write a maximum of 1,000 words on the topic ‘San Francisco’, interpreted any way they choose.

The entries were assessed according to the quality of the writing, the relevance to the theme and the accuracy and variety of the language.

You can read Ilaria’s entry in full below.

San Francisco

My students were looking at me as if I was crazy, but hopefully they were unaware of how nervous I was; I said goodbye and we all walked out of the classroom towards the reception desk. They started talking, all together, with the secretary. I couldn’t understand a word of Chinese, but I could see that their expression changed, they seemed really happy and they were frantically looking into their bags for their purses. Were they booking the course? When the secretary confirmed that the students enjoyed the class and 7 out of 10 paid for the Beginners course I was speechless. The demo lesson was torture for me and, I imagined, for them too. It was my first one, I prepared for hours and must have gone over all the suggestions of my trainers about a thousand times before entering the classroom. I wasn’t confident that the topic I chose was suitable and I kept hearing the voices of my colleagues telling me how Chinese students highly considered teachers. No wonder they were surprised to see me sitting in circle with them, and no wonder they were shocked when I asked them how to spell my name on the whiteboard after we practiced the Italian alphabet, at the end of a lesson where not a word of Chinese was spoken.

At the beginning of the first lesson, the week after, they asked me in English if I was going to speak Chinese from then on and were horrified to hear that it wasn’t an option, and not just because it was my second week in China. I felt that they needed to see that we can communicate with people even without speaking their language, so I invited them to come with me and see how I ordered my dinner at the restaurant downstairs. The owner was used to my “pointing” and the silent conversation went on as usual with me indicating a picture on the wall, him writing down the price, me paying and happily walking out of the restaurant with my dinner. We went back to the classroom, I gave them an Italian menu full of pictures, I took their silent order and wrote down the price; they realized that we were all in the same boat. No matter how hard it was, we had a lot of fun and we all learnt so much from one another. At the end of a long day, when I was reviewing their written tasks, I felt proud of their progress and proud of myself, not because I am a good teacher, but because I achieved my goal.

After pursuing a career in translation, having worked for free as an intern for an independent Italian publisher and having published several translations, I went travelling in Spain and accepted a volunteer position as teacher of Spanish for the local Town Hall. It soon became clear that being with my students was far more rewarding than those endless, lonely hours in front of the computer, just like seeing my name on a language certificate rather than on the inner cover of a book.

How do you give up years of effort and say goodbye to lucrative contracts without feeling guilty towards those who supported you for all the time it took to get there? At 34, all I was hearing from friends were engagement plans and house mortgages, while I was talking about re-inventing myself, go back to school and become a teacher. And after my training course, when those friends who got married were talking about having children, I was over the moon because I got my first official job as a teacher, in China!

After this first experience, I want to learn more about teaching and I would like to create the basis for my future. I know I will never be a sought-after English teacher as I am not a native speaker, but that might not be the case everywhere, if I can be a good teacher. San Francisco is the link between my most recent past in China and my future anywhere I’ll be needed, as it is the door to a better world for so many people, not just from Asia. San Francisco raised again from its own ashes and it was chosen as the ideal place by millions of people who felt it was time to live their lives instead of what everybody else defined as such; great writers were inspired by its vibrant atmosphere and the grandeur of its landscapes and those same writers inspired me when it was time to start all over again.

I became a bit of every place I have been to and I learnt the language of every country I lived in; if by doing my job I can inspire even only one of my students to go and experience a different culture, I’ll be happy. He or she might have to travel for miles, or just be willing to listen to a neighbour from a different country. In some places people are never more abroad than when they are at home. But I didn’t say that, Benjamin F. Taylor did, about San Francisco.

Suzanne Furstner Foundation Scholarship 2010: Shortlisted Entry Number 1

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Applicants who wanted to apply for the scholarship, which comprises a four-week TEFL course in San Francisco plus a language course, were asked to write a maximum of 1,000 words on the topic ‘San Francisco’, interpreted any way they choose.

The entries were assessed according to the quality of the writing, the relevance to the theme and the accuracy and variety of the language.

You can read Zusanna’s entry in full below.

San Francisco

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO…

(FICTION)

If you’re going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you’re going to San Francisco

You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

Today the darkness is at its deepest in the south part of Czechoslovakia. And so is communism. Mark with his two colleagues from the arms factory, Peter and Joseph, are sitting in Mark’s flat, listening to Viennese Radio. Mark can tune his radio to the Western station, as the reception on the outskirts of the capital where his flat happens to be is good. They’re risking being arrested for it, they know, yet to hell with it, they think. It’s worth it, anyway.

“What if the neighbour reports you?” whispers Mark’s mother when she catches them in Mark’s room. “You know who our neighbour is, don’t you?” Mark does know. The neighbour who lives in the flat opposite in their block of flats is a secret police agent.

“Listening to a Western radio! And to this song!” Mark’s mother points to the transistor. She first heard the “San Francisco” at the Prague Spring uprising against Soviet rule in 1968. Young people like her then adopted it as an anthem for freedom. For the same reason, the communists who suppressed the uprising later banned the song.

For those who come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

In the streets of San Francisco

Gentle people with flowers in their hair

“We tried to stop the Russians with flowers,” says Mark’s mother quietly. “It didn’t work,” she sighs and leaves the room.

The three friends carry on listening. Today, here in the Eastern Europe, it’s raining cats and dogs but they let themselves to be transported by the vibrant music to the very West, to the beaches of San Francisco, soaring in hot air as they imagine San Francisco to be based on pictures they had seen in the geography book at school and supported by the vibrancy of the tune and the vocals of John Phillips.

“What a pity I don’t understand a word,” says Mark after the song has finished. “Next time, I’ll smuggle an English dictionary and the lyrics from Vienna and we can translate them. I met someone on the flea market the other day who can help me,” says Peter.

All across the nation such a strange vibration

People in motion

There’s a whole generation with a new explanation

People in motion people in motion

When they later translate the words, Mark wishes to move to San Francisco; to swap his country of hopeless and suppressed people for the people in motion and for the strange vibration all across their nation. How wonderful life must be there! It becomes his vision.

…

Ten years later.

It’s five years after the Velvet Revolution and many of Mark’s colleagues from the arms factory that had gone bankrupt, including his friends Peter and Joseph, have left their country to find a better future abroad. Mark fulfils his dream too and emigrates to San Francisco. He’ll live with Joseph at first who’d gone there earlier, done a TEFOL course and has now found a job for Mark in the San Francisco Military Factory. Mark comes on tourist visa he got for six months but he doesn’t intend to return. He lands in the country full of opportunities and has got a vision of a new, bright future, not loaded with heaviness of the past, he thinks. He’ll start working in the factory tomorrow, learn English like Mark and earn lots of money. However, an unexpected chain of events that starts only an hour later slightly yet essentially changes the chain of his thoughts. Nick, a friendly and outgoing guy from San Francisco and a good friend of Joseph comes to pick Mark up from the airport and doesn’t drive Mark straight to Joseph’s flat but instead he takes him to a place that takes Mark’s breath away. At the end of the day Mark finds himself in the San Francisco Columbarium – a huge posh building with thousands of urns with human ashes neatly laid in cosy pigeonholes dug into tall walls. Today an event called “Get To Know Your Neighbour” is taking place here and Nick’s grandmother is attending it with her whole family. Nick couldn’t miss. Later Mark understands that her ashes are going to be laid here too after she… Mark doesn’t want to finish the sentence, not even in his mind. 

People of San Francisco must have a great sense of humour, if they take death with pinch of salt, Mark thinks. However, when Mark is standing in the huge hall of the Columbarium and staring at all those pictures of people whose ashes are right in front of him, another thought crosses Mark’s mind like an X-ray: These people here cannot change anything in their lives anymore, as they’re dead, they cannot do anything better… But I CAN! Perhaps I won’t have to work in an arms factory for the rest of my life. Perhaps later on I could do something else, like opening my own restaurant one day. Isn’t America a place of opportunities and fulfilled visions after all? The restaurant would have to be on a beach, Mark decides.

For those who come to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

…

Ten years later.

Mark owns three restaurants, all near San Francisco beaches. Today his mother is coming to visit him for the first time. He’s going to welcome her at the airport with a flower. And he’ll stick it in her hair. 

Escape the economic gloom with TEFL

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As the full extent of financial cuts in the UK becomes evident, many people are finding themselves without work, or at risk of redundancy.

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) has always been a popular option amongst people who want to experience living abroad, whether in a short or long-term capacity. As the amount of jobs in the UK falls though, it is perhaps a profession that will grow in popularity further – whilst English remains as important on a global scale as it currently is, there will always be a need for English teachers around the world.

This isn’t to say necessarily that anyone who wants to travel and needs a job should train in TEFL. Yes, you’re very likely to get work – especially if you’re open to living in far flung destinations – but ultimately, to become a good teacher, it helps if you have an interest in teaching, in experiencing new cultures and ideally in the English language too.

If these things apply to you though, TEFL really can be a fantastic way not only to assure you an (interesting) job, but to experience a bit of adventure and to see the world at the same time.

Although TEFL jobs can be found all over the world, Asia is one particular area where there remains a huge recruitment drive for English teachers. China especially has lots of jobs, as do Vietnam, and Thailand . The Middle East is another region with increasing opportunities for teachers, and the same applies to South America. Europe has long had a need for English teachers, which remains today – especially in Eastern Europe, Spain and Italy.

There are lots of different types of TEFL courses, ranging from introductory weekend courses (roughly £200-250) to full-time four-week courses (£800-£1200) which give you qualifications that are better known internationally. As a general rule, taking a four-week course, such as a CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL, will give you more flexibility in terms of where you can work and in what capacity, but shorter courses, or short courses combined with online learning do still give you a good grounding in what you need to know if you’re on a tight budget.

For more information on the courses available, along with prices and details of how to apply, please visit the Cactus TEFL website.

Italian False Cognates: common mistakes made by foreigners

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So you’ve already taken a number of Italian language courses over a span of several months, you’ve attended every lesson, and followed self-study advice to the ‘T’…you think you’ve got the Italian language sorted?

While living in Italy I learned the hard way to be careful what I asked for! These are some common mistakes foreigners make with false cognates in Italy:

1. Don’t ask for ‘peperoni’ on your Pizza unless you have a taste for the hot-n-spicy! The first time I went to my boyfriend’s mother’s house for dinner (in Italy), she asked me if I preferred pepperoni or plain (Margherita) pizza. After requesting pepperoni on my pizza, I discovered the hard way that in Italian ‘peperoni’ are actually hot peppers! Out of embarrassment, I ended up eating the entire pie, sipping water after every burning bite. If you want pepperoni, order ‘salame piccante’ instead.

2. Looking to top your salad off with some crunchy ‘cocomeri’? Then I hope you like oil and vinegar on your watermelon, ‘cause that’s what you just ordered! The Italian word for cucumber is actually ‘cetriolo.’

3. Lost your camera and need to buy a new one? If you tell a salesperson that you’re looking for a ‘camera’, you may not like the response you’ll get. The word ‘camera’ in Italian actually means bedroom! Looking for a snapshot digital machine, then you should request a “macchina fotografica” instead.

4. Commenting on the colorful ‘confetti’ being thrown around at the Venice Carnivale? Well let’s hope you never get pegged in the head with Italian ‘confetti,’ which is the word for sugar-coated almonds. The little colorful pieces of paper being thrown around at carnivals and parties are known as ‘coriandoli.’

5. Need directions to the Gucci ‘fattoria’? If you’re looking for outlet shopping during your stay in Italy, don’t refer to them as ‘fattoria,’ unless you want to buy some farm fresh produce! Factory outlets are actually called “(gli) Outlet,” though the Italian word for factory is ‘fabbrica.’ A case in many where your English actually comes in handy during your stay on the boot!

Known for its vibrant culture, spectacular scenery, friendly people, and world famous cuisine, Italy will always leave you wanting to come back for more. Hopefully these tips will help to make your Italian adventure unforgettable for all the right reasons!

For a list of more false cognates or ‘Amici Falsi,’ you can also check out: 10 Italian False Friends.

Cactus offers Italian immersion courses in Italy, and Italian evening course in the UK, the US & Canada.

One year in Poland: Cactus staff experience

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One Year in Poland – English Version

After my first year at the Business School of Montpellier (in the South of France), I decided to spend one year in Poland, in Warsaw. It is so difficult for me to describe how amazing this experience was.

The most important part of my experience was the language learning. I was in a country where Polish is spoken, yet my studies were in English! But at the end of the day, it wasn’t so hard.

During my first semester, I chose to take a Polish course at the University of Warsaw, in order to be able to speak to Polish people in the street. It was very important for me to be immersed in the Polish culture, and without the necessary language skills this seemed an impossible task. I had 5 hours of Polish per week. I learnt to be independent in the street or in shops, with phrases like “Ile kosztuje?” (how much is it?). It is so gratifying to be understood by the people of the place where you decided to live.

The second part of my learning was about improving my knowledge of English. At the beginning, I found it very difficult to understand the teachers and other students. But step by step you try, and finally people don’t laugh at you; they know that they were like you in the past. Therefore, the most important thing that I learnt is DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY TO SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE. If you make mistakes or if your pronunciation is not perfect, nobody really cares! After my first months in Warsaw, I was able to understand, read and write English. But my learning is not over at all…I now have to learn to understand native speakers better. 

I want to mention one other point. When you embark on this kind of experience abroad, you are not only learning a new language but so many other things, about you, about living in a community, about meeting people all over the world. At the beginning of the year I wasn’t very confident in myself or ready to live such a rewarding experience. But now I have only one idea in my mind: what is next? And you, when will your next experience abroad be?

Une année en Pologne, Warszawa – Version Française

Après ma première année à l’école de commerce de Montpellier (dans le sud de la France), j’ai décidé de partir étudier un an en Pologne, à Varsovie! Il est vraiment difficile pour moi de décrire cette expérience, tellement magique à mes yeux.

La partie la plus importante de ce voyage a été l’apprentissage des langues. J’étais dans un pays où l’on parlait polonais mais tous mes cours étaient délivrés, eux, en anglais! Mais finalement, cela n’a pas été si difficile.

Pendant le premier semestre, j’ai choisi de prendre un cours de polonais à l’université de Varsovie dans le but d’être capable de parler avec les polonais dans la rue. C’était vraiment important pour moi d’être imprégnée de la culture polonaise, d’essayer d’être en immersion totale. Et sans la connaissance du langage cela me paraissait impossible. J’avais 5 heures de polonais par semaine. J’ai appris à être indépendante dans la rue ou dans les magasins: “Ile kosztuje?”. Il est tellement gratifiant d’être comprise par les habitants du pays où l’on a décidé d’habiter.

La deuxième partie de mon apprentissage a été d’améliorer mon anglais. Dans les premiers temps, il a été très difficile pour moi de comprendre les enseignants ou les autres étudiants. Mais petit à petit, vous essayez et finalement personne ne rigole, ils savent qu’ils ont été dans cette situation dans le passé. La chose la plus importante pour moi a donc été de comprendre qu’il ne fallait jamais avoir peur d’essayer de parler une autre langue. Si vous faites des erreurs ou que votre prononciation n’est pas parfaite, tout le monde s’en moque en réalité. Après mes premiers mois à Varsovie, j’étais capable de comprendre, lire et écrire en anglais. Mais mon apprentissage n’est pas encore fini, loin de là… il faut maintenant que je progresse sur la compréhension des natifs.

J’aimerais également parler d’une autre chose vraiment importante à mes yeux. Quand vous décidez de faire ce type d’expérience à l’étranger, vous n’apprenez pas seulement une autre langue mais tellement d’autres choses, sur vous, sur le fait de vivre en communauté, de rencontrer des gens venant de toute la planète… Au départ de l’expérience je n’avais pas vraiment confiance en moi ou je n’étais pas prête à vivre de telle expérience. Mais maintenant je n’ai qu’une idée en tête: what is next? Et vous, quand est-ce que va être votre prochaine expérience à l’étranger?

What makes Perth a great English study destination?

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One of the most commonly cited facts about Perth is that it’s the world’s most remote city. Whilst this can sometimes be perceived as a negative thing, perhaps it goes some way to explaining why Perth has become a city with so much to offer…having to travel so far to get anywhere else means that it’s essential that there is enough to do on your doorstep!

Here’s a run-down of some of the best things about Perth:

1. Climate and location

Perth enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, sunny weather for most of the year. In fact, Perth enjoys more hours of sunshine annually than any other Australian city.

There is very little rainfall in summer, and even in winter it’s accompanied by plenty of warm sunshine.

Perth’s location on the west coast of Australia means that, for anyone coming from Europe, it is the closest place to get to in Australia. Flying to Sydney or Melbourne could add on a further 3 to 4 hours to your flight time, which can make a big difference with such a long journey.

2. Size and population

Although Perth is not as big as some of Australia’s other capital cities, its smaller size makes it really easy to get around. The city centre is big enough that there is plenty going on, but not so big that you need to take public transport to get anywhere.

Perth has a relatively modest population for its geographic size, which means that there is more than enough space for everyone. There are enough people to give the city a buzz, but not so many that it’s overcrowded and unfriendly.

The city also benefits from a fairly diverse population, which makes it cosmopolitan and accepting of other cultures. It is currently estimated that more than one third of Perth’s residents were actually born overseas.

3. Beaches and parks

Undoubtedly one of the best things about Perth is its stunning array of beaches. The Sunset Coast in Perth comprises a long stretch of beautiful coastline and beach side suburbs, from Cottesloe west of Perth, to Mindarie Keys north west of the Perth city centre. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the centre of Perth, and this northern coastal area is popular for Perth’s safe swimming beaches and walking paths.

If you’d prefer to take a walk in one of Perth’s surrounding natural parks, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice – they’re everywhere! Taking a trip out to one of these will give you first-hand experience of Australia’s famous ‘bush’ and the fantastic array of flora and fauna that it houses.

However, and the good news is that with Kings Park right on the edge of Perth, you don‘t necessarily have to travel out of the city to experience Australia’s Great Outdoors. One of the largest inner city parks in the world, Kings Park overlooks Perth and the famous Swan River, and gives you some spectacular views of the distant Perth Hills to boot.

The park features both cultivated gardens and rugged bushland and you can picnic on grassy lawns, take a jog through the bushland or go to one of the many outdoor concerts held there during the summer.

4. Bars and restaurants

Whilst Perth doesn’t have nightlife on quite the same scale as Sydney and Melbourne, it nevertheless has plenty to keep you entertained. Just outside the Perth city centre is the district of Northbridge where there’s a range of nightclubs, pubs, cafes and restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisines. Fremantle, just south of Perth, is also known as a great destination for anyone looking to party!

5. History

Perth is a city with a rich colonial past and a long Aboriginal history. The Noongar people occupied Western Australia’s southwest and the area in which Perth stands today was called Boorloo. The coastal plains of the area were very important to the people both spiritually and for hunting and gathering.

Europeans first started exploring the west coast of Australia in the early 17th century, however due to rough seas, dangerous reefs, Perth’s sand bars and shipwreck the area was considered unfavourable and remained unexplored. It was not until 1829 when Captain James Stirling arrived there and recognised its great beauty that the idea of settlement occurred.

Perth is overflowing with breathtaking landmarks and monuments, including the modern Swan Bell Tower, Government House, Parliament House and Perth Town Hall, built by convicts in the late 1860s.  Famous throughout the country, many of these Perth landmarks and Perth monuments date back to the early 19th century and are in excellent condition.

A variety of English courses are available in Perth, including General, Individual and Intensive. Courses are available to begin all year round.

Top 5 winter getaways - outside Europe

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1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is an old favourite at Cactus, and no more so than during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, when this captivating capital of Argentina basks in a glorious Southern summer. You don’t need a thermometer to read the heat on the dance floor, however. As the world’s capital of tango, Buenos Aires plays host to the Buenos Aires Tango Festival at the end of February and the beginning of March; across the city and in the streets, you’ll be treated to hundreds of tango displays, many of them free, and there’s plenty of opportunity to join in too…

Spanish courses in Buenos Aires

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

If there’s one thing to experience in South America, it’s Carnival in Rio. Taking place in 2011 from Sat March 5th to Tues March 8th, Carnival is an all-singing, all-dancing celebration like none you have seen before. With colourful parades, floats, balls, street carnivals and bands bringing the entire city to life, it’s not surprising that this is known as the greatest show on Earth. And all this under a hot Brazilian sky with golden beaches on the doorstep…this is one late winter escape to get in the diary now!

Portuguese courses in Rio de Janeiro

3. Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is a little piece of paradise in the French West Indies. It’s the kind of place you’d go for an exotic beach holiday, not a language course…but yes, it’s really true, you could be learning imageFrench in the morning and chilling out on palm-fringed beaches in the afternoon. Add to this a good dose of Caribbean and Creole culture, and winter back home will soon be a distant memory.

French courses in Guadeloupe

4. Cairo, Egypt

If you want to forget about winter, work and even Christmas, look no further than Egypt. The instant you arrive you will be immersed in the hot and buzzing metropolis of Cairo, the mysterious Pyramids rising on the horizon and the River Nile luring you to its banks. This ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’, as it is known, is a fascinating center of religion, politics and culture, and makes for the perfect place to learn the beautiful, ancient language of Arabic.

Arabic courses in Cairo

5. Québec City, Canada image

If playing in the snow is your thing, then the Quebec Winter Carnival, held from January 28th – February 13th 2011, is the place for you. Coinciding with Mardi Gras celebrations elsewhere in the world, this is the world’s largest winter festival and is an absolute must for those who like the magical side of winter – adults and children alike. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, skating, dogsled races, magnificent ice sculptures, a children’s village, night parades and more. For a true ‘winter’ escape, it doesn’t get much better than this.

French courses in Quebec City

Cactus offers language courses, which can be combined with activities including dance, diving, cooking, wine tasting and sports, in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide.

Cactus’ top 5 destinations for food lovers

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Each country and culture has its own array of gastronomic specialties, but there’s no denying that some places are just synonymous with good food. Often, it’s countries with French, Spanish and Italian influences that boast a particular gastronomic prowess, but sometimes it’s even more specific than that…there are some cities in the world with cuisine that is quite simply on a different gastronomic level.

Here’s our pick of the cities that will have you salivating, enthusing… and returning home a stone heavier!

1. Bologna

To be the best city in the world for Italian food, it’s fair to say you’ll have come up against some pretty stiff competition. Bologna is famous the world over for its amazing cuisine though, and deservedly so. One of the tastiest and best-known dishes worldwide, Spaghetti Bolognese, originates from the city, which gives some indication of its pedigree. Bologna is also known for its salami and ham, although most things that you eat in the city will prove to be mouth-watering. It’s not just in the restaurants where you can find fine food though – there are countless food markets around the city where you can by top-quality produce to experiment with yourself. 

Bologna is located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, and to be honest the region as a whole is fairly impressive in food terms. From Bologna you can easily get to Parma – home of the famous ham, and, of course, Parmesan cheese, and Modena – the home of balsamic vinegar.

Sheer heaven for any food enthusiast…

More about Italian courses in Bologna

2. Valencia image

Located on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast, on the Gulf of Valencia, it’s no surprise that much of Valencia’s revered cuisine has seafood as its main component. In gastronomic terms, Valencia is probably best known for being the home of paella, probably Spain’s most iconic dish. Communal paella cooking and even paella competitions are common in festivals, especially in the Valencia region, and are great to behold and even better to taste if you get the chance! One of the great things about eating in Valencia, aside from the taste and freshness of the food, is that it’s really affordable. Great for the bank balance, not so great for the waistline!

Again, Valencia is home to some fantastic markets as well as restaurants. Of particular note is the central market, or Mercado Central de Valencia, which comprises 8000 square meters of market space inside the steel and glass building that is decorated with Valencian ceramic tiles. Well worth a look in itself…

More about Spanish courses in Valencia

3. Lyon image

Lyon may be France’s second city in terms of size, but when it comes to food it definitely takes the top spot – quite an accolade when you consider the prestige associated with French food internationally. Specifically, Lyon has made a name for itself as a capital of gourmet and luxury food, which is evident from the many Michelin-starred restaurants that you can find there. Aside from these, Lyon is also well known for its ‘bouchon’ restaurants. ‘Bouchons’ are a type of bistro, but with a fairly limited menu and a very unpretentious kind of décor. Most bouchons are family-run, and the majority of the chefs are women—the so-called ‘spiritual descendants’ of Mère Fillioux, Tante Paulette and Mère Brazier, and other female master chefs who helped Lyon achieve gastronomic glory early in the 20th century.

When you look at the vast array of local produce that is grown and made in the surrounding areas – fish from the Savoy lakes, fruits and vegetables of the Rhone valley and the wild game of the Dombes to name but a few – it’s no wonder really that the food in Lyon is so delicious.

One thing’s for sure…no matter how little money you have, heading to a fast food outlet in Lyon would be inexcusable!

More about French courses in Lyon

4. Buenos Aires image

Buenos Aires is a city that is famous for many things. Tango and football may be a couple but ask any self-respecting foodie what they associate with the city and there can only be one answer – STEAK.  Simply, what you’ll find in the restaurants of Buenos Aires is the undisputed king of steak. Cattle in Argentina graze in areas that have nutritious natural grass and lots of spacious, green pastures – as a result, the meat that is produced is free of additives and contaminants, and boy does it taste good.

There are hundreds of authentic and quality steakhouses to enjoy in Buenos Aires, but vegetarians need not worry, there’s plenty on offer for them too. With a strong Italian influence, the city has lots of fantastic pizza and pasta places, and recent years have seen an influx of quality Asian food places too.

There’s one more thing that you have to mention when it comes to Argentinean gastronomy, and that’s the wine…Argentina produces some of the world’s finest red wines, which you can enjoy at a bargain price in Buenos Aires.

More about Spanish courses in Buenos Aires

5. New York image

Think of a food associated with New York and you might say hot dogs, but really the city has no one signature dish or ingredient. This is hardly surprising when you think of the hugely diverse nature of the city, culturally. New York has always been a huge mix of ethnicities and nationalities, and that’s really the great appeal of its gastronomy. New York has a range of food and restaurants that you just won’t find anywhere else in the world – you could feasibly eat a different type of food each day of the year and still have some to try. Happily, the huge range of food available applies not only to tastes but to prices too…despite the high cost of living in New York, it’s still easy to find affordable eats to enjoy.

As is the case all over America, the size of the portions you’ll be served will make the eyes of any food lover bulge in excitement too. Remember though, you don’t have to wolf down the whole lot and give yourself indigestion – American restaurants are great advocats of the ‘doggy bag’, which you can take home and enjoy for a second time when you’re belt is back on its original notch!

More about English courses in New York

German evening course in Brighton: Client review

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Cactus client Dan Broadley tells us how he hopes his evening course in German will help him retrace his roots…

You would have thought, having German-speaking heritage, that I would have shown an interest earlier. You would have thought that, when faced with the option of studying either French or German at school for my GCSE’s, I would have thrown myself into some serious Deutsch! I didn’t! Not only did I shun my German speaking lineage, but to add insult to injury I went on to achieve a truly awful F grade in French! “Sacre-bleu!”.

My Grandfather, Erich Bauch, a German speaking Czech from the town of Teplice in the Bohemian region of Czech Republic, would be most aggrieved to learn that the extent of my German is currently limited to the very, very basics…and by basics I mean that I can say “guten tag”, “auf wiedersehen” and I do a mean “eins, zwei, drei”…and that’s pretty much it! A terrible state of affairs!

I’m sure that he tried to impart some basic German phrases on me – he even used to sing to me in German – but it seems that none of it sank in. So when faced with the opportunity of learning German with Cactus, I saw it as the chance to right a terrible wrong! My first lesson is in Brighton later this month and I can’t wait!

This year has already been one for reconnecting with my roots. In the Spring I travelled to the Czech Republic for the very first time and went to the town where my family once lived. We even found the old house that they, being Jewish, had to abandon when the Nazi’s invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939, forcing them to flee to England.

My Grandfather, only 15 at the time, was one of 669 mostly Jewish children rescued by Nicholas Winton (now Sir Nicholas), an English stockbroker who saw the plight of the Jews while on a trip to Prague. Winton arranged trains to take the children to England and found sponsors for them in the UK so that they had a place to live once they were here.

Winton kept his humanitarian exploits secret for many years and it was only when his wife found a scrapbook (complete with a list of all of the childrens’ names that he had saved), in their loft at their home in 1988, that his heroics were bought to light. My Grandfather was one of the extremely lucky ones who were not only saved, but who were actually reunited with their families once in the UK. He never really spoke of exactly how he came to England; I think looking back to that time was too upsetting for him. It wasn’t until after his death in 1998 that we found his name on Winton’s list.

Visiting my homeland this year for the first time was a truly amazing and emotional experience, one that I will never forget. It bought home exactly what my family went through and the terrible upheaval that they endured. The next step on my personal pilgrimage is to finally learn a language that I should have learnt a long time ago. I only hope that I can do my old Grandad proud! With the help of Cactus I’m sure that I can!

Dan has just started his 10-week German course, and will report back on his progress once it has finished…

Cactus runs evening and part-time language courses in schools across London and in cities nationwide. Courses are available in over 20 languages and on regular start dates throughout the year.

Strictly Come Dancing or X Factor?

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Anyone who enjoys a little weekend television can’t fail to have noticed the competition between the dancing on one channel and the singing on another. As the programmes run in tandem, you have to make the choice – fancy footwork or velvety vocals?

When it comes to language holidays, however, you don’t have to miss a thing; you can strut your stuff on the dance floor one week, and sing your heart out the next. With this in mind, we’re bringing you our very own top 5 dance holiday courses, and top 5 locations that we think have the X Factor.

So, in no particular order, our top 5 finalists in each category are…

** Dance Holiday Finalists **

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Where else to learn tango than in the tango capital of the world. In Buenos Aires you can practise your ’ganchos’ and your ’ochos’ in ornate dance halls, dressed the part and with a professional Argentine partner. Go this winter and as added bonus you’ll enjoy the Southern Summer – perfect for enjoying impromptu tango displays on the streets outside.

Spanish & Tango in Buenos Aires

2. Salvador de Bahia, Brasil

In Brazil, dance is infectious. They seem to be born with an innate ability to wiggle their hips and move to music. Don’t be left out – on this unique course you can learn the dances of samba, forro and axe, as well as the mysterious Dance of the Orixas in Candomblé ceremonies. If there was ever an insight into the culture (that’s a whole lot of fun too), this is it.

Portuguese & Samba in Salvador de Bahia

3.  Havana, Cuba image

Impossible to talk about dancing without including Cuba, the home of salsa. With the beat of music seemingly emerging from every street corner, you’ll be itching to brush up your moves and join in the fun.

Individual Spanish & Salsa Course in Havana

4. Seville, Spain

Hot, sultry Seville in the heart of Andalusia is the perfect place to learn the most quintessential of Spanish dances, which has its roots here. You’ll not only learn to dance, but you’ll most likely also fall for the flamenco singing and guitar playing in one of Spain’s most charming cities.

Spanish & Flamenco in Seville

5. Cartagena, Colombia image

At nearly 500 years old, Cartagena is a real jewel of the Caribbean. Steeped in colonial history, covered with tropical flowers and home to beautiful beaches, you’ll have a spring in your step before you even set foot in your dance class.

Spanish & Salsa in Cartagena

** X Factor Finalists **

1. Sorrento, Italy

Overlooking the Gulf of Naples, on Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast, Sorrento is a beautiful place to visit whether or not you want to sing. But for those who fancy exercising their vocal chords, there is no better place to do so. With views over the sparkling sea to distant islands, Vesuvius rising in the haze on the horizon and pastel-coloured buildings clinging to spectacular coastline, Sorrento is nothing short of inspiring.

Italian & Singing in Sorrento

2. Jaco Beach, Costa Rica image

Jaco earns its spot here for being a true holiday location. Yes, you can learn Spanish while you’re here, but essentially you’re here to have fun, enjoy the stunning golden beach, go wild in the rainforest, catch some waves with some surfing, stretch your limbs with some yoga, and learn some cool photography tips. With an action-packed activities programme ensuring that you get out there and make friends with both staff and class-mates, Jaco Beach is a big favourite at Cactus.

Spanish courses at Jaco Beach

3. Berlin, Germany

For being at the forefront of industries including fashion, music, art and design, for its fascinating history and world-class nightlife, for its vast green parkland including forests and lakes, and for exuding a certain cult ‘edginess’, Berlin is truly deserving of x factor status. Added to this is the fact that the school is the only one in the whole of Germany to offer an on-site residence open year-round.

German courses in Berlin

4. New York, US

There are many who would argue that New York is the most exciting city in the world, a place where you can really live the dream. From a musical in Broadway to skating in Central Park, from brunch in SoHo to new year in Times Square, there is something for everyone in the city that never sleeps. It has had the X factor for years, and is likely to have it for years to come.

English courses in New York

5. Rouen, France

The small, family-run school that we work with in Rouen has just scooped the prize of Star French Language School at the 2010 Language Travel Awards in London – for the THIRD year running! French in Normandy, as it is called, is truly deserving of X factor status for its fantastic French language programme combined with excellent social and cultural activities.

French courses in Rouen

As for the winner of each category, well, that can go to a public vote. Leave us a comment and let us know which location is the winner for you!

Cactus offers language courses, which can be combined with activities including dance, diving, cooking, wine tasting and sports, in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide.