Japanese course in Tokyo: blog entry #1

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Coming to Japan, there were many things that I was worried about.  As far as I could tell, I was the only American going to Japan through Cactus. Would I fit in? How am I going to communicate with my dorm mates? What will my classes be like? How will I survive three months without my parents or my dogs? Well, a week and a half has gone by and most of these fears have disappeared.

As it ends up, there’s another American in my dorm. Her name is Beverly. She’s really sweet and has helped me out a lot with conversational Japanese already. My other dorm mates are Chinese, but the dorm manager is Chinese and can speak English, so communication isn’t a problem. My room is nice; I have a shelving unit, a hanging unit and a balcony to hang my laundry. That’s something that I didn’t expect. Although driers are available, the Japanese don’t typically use them, so I had to go out and buy laundry clips.

They are very big on being environmentally friendly. Most people use public transportation. They also use cold water to wash their dishes – something that my mother thinks wouldn’t clean the dishes well enough. It’s really hard to throw trash away here because of all of their laws about it. But in my dorm, all of the trashcans are labeled, so it makes it easier.

Classes aren’t that hard either. We’re still in review, so who knows if it’ll pick up in the next week. Instead of switching classrooms and teachers like in America, we have the same teacher all day, but they change depending on the day of the week. We are in the same classroom every day with the same kids. My classmates are cool. They come from all over. The majority of my classmates are from China and France. The other countries represented are Colombia, Spain, Sweden, Australia and Belgium.

I miss my family and my dogs very much, but Beverly showed me this place called Nekorobi. The best way to describe it is a cat café. Literally it’s a room with twelve cats and you pay by the hour to sit, play with them, and eat or drink. It really helped with my pet/home sickness. I think it’s really cool that Japan has things like that and I look forward to discovering more interesting places in Tokyo.

Dana is studying Japanese in Tokyo with Cactus. Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide.

We will be posting another blog entry by Dana mid-way through her course and at the end of her stay in Japan. For anyone thinking about taking a language course abroad, this offers a unique insight into life in a foreign country, including the fears and excitement that come with a long-term course. Thank you to Dana for contributing to our website!

Dying languages of the world: where they exist and why they should be saved

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This makes for quite a shocking statistic, especially as it gives an indication of just how many languages there are out there. It’s often assumed that there are only one or two main languages per country, but in fact, some countries are home to hundreds of languages – Papua New Guinea, for example, is now estimated to have over 800!

The article states that of the 7,000 –odd languages spoken around the world, somewhere between 60-80% are not yet documented. Unfortunately, it’s often the case with solely oral languages that when the people who speak it die, so too does the language.

Whilst there can be interesting structures within the language that it’s a shame not to have access to any longer, the main regret when languages die out is that the detailed cultural knowledge that these languages embody also disappears. Many of the cultures that use undocumented languages live in remote areas of the globe, which have not been extensively explored over the years, and which we therefore still know little about. These include places within Alaska, South America, India and the South Pacific, for example.

You may be forgiven for thinking that with access to remote areas much easier these days, the language and culture of these peoples might be easier to pass on than previously, but in fact the opposite seems to be true. As outside influences creep in to traditionally closed cultural peoples, and globalisation takes hold, they are being forced to learn global languages to be able to live in and communicate with the modern world. If it’s easier and more useful to learn the likes of English or Spanish, it’s natural that the usage of traditional, local languages will suffer.

The article on the Wall Street Journal website refers to a book compiled by K David Harrison and his team of linguists who traveled around the world to interview the few remaining speakers of languages all over the world.  Read the full article for details of places visited, and for a video to accompany the piece.

Metro-UK - 4 October 2010

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This full-page article written by Lisa Scott, Travel Editor at The Metro, looks at options for learning a language on the move.  It covers a variety of courses around the world, as well as including some interesting facts about languages in general.  Lisa writes: “Learn French while surfing in Biarritz.  Your language classes will take place in the morning, leaving the afternoons free for surfing. £829 for two weeks – https://www.cactuslanguage.com.”

France Magazine - October 2010

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This three-page article, written by Eve Middleton, takes an in-depth look at Cactus’ wine tasting course in Toulouse, from descriptions of the city and school, to the excitement of learning French on location. Eve comments: “Whether you’re new to learning French or you simply just want to brush up on your grammar, the prospect of a language course in France with day-long intensive classes can be somewhat daunting.  A more palatable option is to combine traditional study with a vocational option – not only does this allow you to solidify your syntactical foundations, it all means you can practise your French outside the classroom.  With France’s long-standing reputation for producing some of the world’s best wines, I chose to sample the country’s finest vintages with a combined language and wine course from Cactus Language at the Langue Onze language school in Toulouse.”

French courses in Poitou- Charentes: La Rochelle

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Upon further consideration, they will no doubt remember it as the home of the fictional Dhome family, and of course, ‘Claude Le Clochard’, made famous by the series of ‘Tricolore’ textbooks.

La Rochelle though, has much more to brag about than its association with a fictional family and dubious smelling vagabond…

La Rochelle is one of those real hidden gems of a city. Located about half way down the west coast of France, in the Charente-Maritime region, it is a dynamic university city that has bags to offer both inhabitants and tourists alike.

Good news then, that it has recently been added to Easyjet’s list of summer destinations.

One of the real highlights of this lovely seaside resort is its famous harbour and two towers – key to the city’s defence in the Middle Ages. For many centuries La Rochelle was one of France’s main ports, and in fact it was this city that the Knights Templar made their all-important Atlantic base. La Rochelle is often considered to be one of the most unspoilt seaside towns in France, and has successfully managed to retain its great sense of history and beautiful old buildings.

Whilst La Rochelle stands out for its great historical significance, it is also home to some contemporary features that are equally as impressive – namely its shopping and its entertainment scene. Bars and restaurants can be found aplenty, and are great for seafood-lovers especially!

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For anyone spending more than a weekend in La Rochelle, the nearby Île de Ré is also well worth a visit. Connected to La Rochelle by a 2.9 km long bridge, this beautiful island boasts an array of sandy beaches and a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts especially, with its many campsites, mass of cycle paths and huge range of watersports.

More about French courses in La Rochelle

The Independent - 30 September 2010

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This full-page article by Virginia Matthews takes a look at ways in which people can improve their language skills without having to sign-up for formal lessons.  It forms part of a larger supplement all about how language skills put employees and businesses at a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.  “Chris Moore, Head of Cactus Language Training, says there is no substitute for good teaching in getting to grips with an unaccustomed foreign language. Self-study and online training courses can only grow, given the internet, but whether you are footing the bill for a language course or your employer is bearing the cost we find regular, targeted feedback from a fully qualified teacher remains the key for the majority of people.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/language-lessons-online-or-in-person-choose-what-suits-you-2093270.html

How to practise French and Spanish in Boston

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If you are interested in speaking other languages while in Boston besides English, you will have an easy time. There are many clubs and events dedicated to second languages in Boston – French and Spanish are just two examples.

There are several internet communities that specifically target the Boston area for French speakers. These communities have meet ups, some weekly and others monthly. Be sure to check out www.bienvenueaboston.org if you speak French and you live in Boston, or check it out if you are planning on visiting Boston and you want to use your French while there. Or you can look at Boston’s Regional French Embassy’s website and check out the events listed. French films, music and art showings are always listed on the site, taking place in and around the city. Lastly, visit the Boston French Library as they hold events revolving around the French language and culture: www.frenchlib.org/events.

Boston also has Spanish societies, events and clubs.  And by “clubs”, I do not mean a classroom where you can go and practice your Spanish – there is actually a group dedicated to everything Latin American in Boston, including nightlife – www.latinboston.com. Here you will find the funkiest activities for Spanish speakers in the metro area. The website also lists the local radio stations that broadcast in Spanish as well as the local Spanish speaking television stations. If you’re looking for a more intellectual outlet, check out the Spanish Literature Club. This group meets locally for a highly interactive Spanish workshop.

More about French and Spanish language courses in Boston

Weekend ‘crash’ courses in a foreign language: who are these suitable for?

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1. People with impending travel plans who can’t do an evening course

Many people going abroad on vacation or business opt to do some language training before they go, even if it’s just to learn the basics. For some people, however, evening courses that involve a two-hour session every week simply aren’t a viable option, whether it’s for work, family or social reasons. Equally, if travel plans are last-minute, it may be that you simply don’t have time to complete a 10 or 5 week course prior to your departure. In each of these cases, a weekend ‘crash’ course is ideal.

2. Anyone going overseas on a one–off trip to a foreign country

There are many instances when people find themselves heading to a country that they are unlikely to visit again, and in which they are perhaps even not too interested. Rather than committing to a 10-week course learning some of the local language, a weekend course offers a great way to pick up the basics without having to devote too much time to it.

3. People who have learnt some of the language before, but are looking for a short revision course

Weekend courses are currently held at beginners Level 1, and as such make a good refresher course for someone who has previously learned the basics of the language but since forgotten.

4. People on a tight budget who need a basic course with face-to-face tutoring

Everyone has a different style of learning, and whilst some people are more than happy to invest in a phrasebook or CD course to get to grips with the basics of a language, this isn’t an effective method for all. Some people need to learn in a classroom environment for it to sink in, but one obvious drawback with this is that it can be more expensive. Weekend courses, however, start from just $149 and can offer a much more affordable option than a longer course aimed at beginners.

5. People who are looking to learn useful language for real-life situations

The great thing about weekend crash courses is that they focus on language that you can use in real-life situations, not language that is reserved for academic forums. The concise nature of weekend courses means that they are expressly designed to cover the most important language aspects for those traveling and on vacation, and not to dwell on anything that won’t be of particular use.

Weekend crash courses are currently available in French, Spanish and German at our New York Tribeca center. Courses take place from 10am – 2.30pm, with a 30 minute break in the middle. Please visit the Cactus Language Courses North America website for further information on prices and start dates, and to test your level.

Cactus launches specialist DELE exam preparation evening course

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Cactus Language Training, the world’s leading language training company, today announced that it has developed a new, 20-hour Spanish course helping students to achieve their Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera. The course offers expert tuition for students and professionals looking to take language learning to the next level and attain this internationally recognised certificate.

Cactus has designed the course to be taught by qualified and experienced exam preparation teachers over three terms with one, two-hour class per week. Classes focus on the DELE exam tasks and cover the key skill areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary, with students advised to undertake four hours of additional home-study a week.

The next course is scheduled to start on April and will take place at one of Cactus’ top partner schools in Holborn in London. Students will then be prepared to sit their DELE examination in August.

Richard Bradford, MD of Cactus Language Training, commented: “We’ve designed this course to cater for any students of Spanish who are looking to achieve the diploma but can’t study during office hours.  The evening programme will prepare them for the DELE exam by providing small, friendly classes and a thorough grounding in all the key skill areas. We’re pleased to be adding this new course to our existing training portfolio which offers the best possible choice and teaching methods for anyone wanting to learn Spanish.”

For more information about this, and other exam preparation courses, simply visit: https://www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk/courses/exam-preparation.php

Top 3 winter destinations in Italy

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The best ski resorts are found in northern Italy in the alpine region. Not far from Turin, for example, are the resorts of Sauze d’Oulx, Bardonecchia and Sestriere – a popular, modern resort with plenty of ski-lifts, a skating rink and cross-country trails. If you’re looking for a bit of glamour, the resort of Courmayeur on Mont-Blanc with its chic clientele and excellent facilities won’t disappoint. There are also plenty of ski resorts in the Dolomites in the north-east of Italy, as well as in the mountains of central Italy.

Rome is a fascinating and exciting place to visit whenever you go, and there’s plenty to do and see there during the winter. The temperature rarely falls below zero, the sun shines most days, it’s possible to eat outside most of the year, and many cafés provide outdoor heaters during the winter.

The festival of the Immaculate Conception marks the beginning of the Christmas period in Rome, the Papal Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve marks the highlight of that period, while the Epiphany parade on 6th January brings the Christmas festivities to and end.

Most of the churches in Rome put up elaborate nativity scenes (presepi), including a life-size one in St. Peter’s Square, and there’s an exhibition of such scenes in the Sala del Bramante by the Piazza del Popolo. In the Piazza Novona there’s a large Christmas market where you can buy wooden toys, sweets, Christmas decorations and much more, and there are plenty of other places to do your Christmas shopping.  Winter is also a good time to visit Rome’s cultural attractions and events as they tend to be quieter than at other times of the year. Other attractions of this time of year in Rome are the Christmas lights and the numerous street musicians who play seasonal tunes and often dress as Santa Claus.

With a wealth of history, natural beauty, fine beaches, attractive towns and cities, and average temperatures of 15°C Sicily is a good winter destination. For history buffs there, Greek temples and theatres, Roman villas, and Arabic, Byzantine, Norman and Baroque architecture; for outdoor types there are mountains, volcanos, ski-resorts, gardens, and plenty of other places to explore, and there’s plenty more to do and see.

More about language courses in Italy