Exam revision courses at Easter: the best way to prepare

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For some students, the upcoming Easter holiday is the last break before their GCSE and A-Level examinations. Those wanting to consolidate their language skills and gain real confidence in the language might want to consider an exam revision course abroad.

GCSE and A-Level revision courses are available both in France and Spain, and offer a unique opportunity to study the language and prepare for the exam whilst mixing with others of the same age and enjoying the local culture too. There’s nothing like being surrounded by the language to tune your ear and practise speaking it when out and about; even simple activities like ordering a drink, going to the cinema or taking part in social events organised by the school provide a valuable chance to practise the language outside class, in a fun environment, with others of the same age.

Whether you need a little boost before the final hurdle or simply want to make sure you’re on top form when exam time comes, these exam revision courses will make sure you’re as ready as can be and, in many cases, ensure better results! 

REVISION COURSES IN FRANCE

Course: French GCSE revision course in Chambery

Start dates: 11th & 18th April 2011

Includes: 16 lessons of general French + 6 lessons of specific GCSE preparation

Course: French A Level revision course in Chambery

Start dates: 11th & 18th April 2011

Includes: 16 lessons of general French + 6 lessons of specific A-Level preparation

Course: French A Level revision course in Bordeaux

Start date: 28th March 2011

Includes: 24 French lessons + 3 cultural activities

Course: French A-Level revision course in Montpellier

Start date: 11th April 2011

Includes: 26 French lessons per week

REVISION COURSES IN SPAIN

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School))

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 30 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 25 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 20 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 15 Spanish lessons

All that remains to say is good luck – or bonne chance / ¡buena suerte! – in your exams this summer.

Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide, including specialist courses such as exam preparation, academic year, language & activity and volunteering programmes.

Student feedback confirms continuing ‘teaching excellence’ at Cactus

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There are now hundreds of teachers who work for Cactus across the UK. All have relevant experience and qualifications, and have been fully vetted by our Director of Studies prior to beginning work for us. As a result, we have a fantastically talented, enthusiastic and experienced pool of teachers who we know will provide interesting and effective lessons for our students.

We also have a dedicated Academic Department in place, which not only recruits the best teachers available but also, in order to support and develop our teachers as much as possible, oversees regular classroom observations and provides on-going training and seminars.

This combination of talented teachers and an experienced and supportive academic team is essential for ensuring high quality teaching and lessons, and our investment in academic quality is bearing fruit. The latest student and observation feedback shows that 92% of our teachers are ranked as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, compared to 76% a year ago.

We are, of course, delighted with these figures and will continue to work closely with our teachers to maintain, and wherever possible, improve these admirably high standards.

We’d like to thank our teachers for their consistent hard work and dedication and look forward to sharing another successful year with them.

Cactus offers a range of UK-based evening and part-time language courses. For full listings of locations, languages and to test your level. please visit www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk.

What is Catalan and how widely is it spoken?

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Catalan isn’t a dialect of Spanish, it is a separate language which in many respects is as close to French as it is to Spanish. The Catalan government has spent a lot of money trying to increase the number of people who speak Catalan. Not surprisingly, some students have written to us asking whether Catalan could interfere with their Spanish studies. The answer is generally “no”.

Our centres in Barcelona teach Spanish, not Catalan and our host families will also speak Spanish (not Catalan) to them. Students may overhear some conversations in Catalan, but they are equally likely to overhear conversations in English, French, Arabic or Italian – Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city!

According to a recent survey, over 67% of the people in Barcelona consider Spanish to be their first language. In small towns and villages Catalan is more widely spoken but in Barcelona, because of a long history of immigration from other parts of Spain, the dominant language is very definitely Spanish. Five of the seven television channels currently available broadcast in Spanish, and all the leading newspapers – including those published in Barcelona – are also written in Spanish. What’s more, everyone in Barcelona automatically uses Spanish to speak to foreign students as they don’t expect them to know any Catalan, so there is very little danger of students being asked to understand anything other than Spanish while they are here.

The only issue is that many signs (including street signs and many shop fronts and the occasional menu) are written in Catalan (most menus and advertisements are in Spanish or are bilingual) and students may find this confusing. Reading signs is a valuable part of the learning process (especially for beginners and elementary students) , and those with an intermediate level or above will tend to be able to distinguish between Spanish and Catalan signs. Those with a lower level, though, should be aware that, in this area and only in this area, they will be slightly disadvantaged when comparing Barcelona with other destinations.

Finally, it is also worth bearing in mind that all Catalans are totally bilingual and that they speak Spanish without any noticeable accent. So what the Spanish students will hear in Barcelona is in fact much closer to normal or “correct” Castilian Spanish than the Spanish they would hear in some other regions of Spain where Spanish is often spoken with a very strong regional accent.

More about Spanish courses in Barcelona

New destinations for 2011

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From the deep jungle of Colombia to the Alpine lakes in Germany to central Ukraine, we hope you’ll find somewhere in our selection of new locations to inspire you to learn a language this year…

NEW Spanish locations:

Almuñecar, Spain (juniors only)

Leticia, Colombia

Santander, Spain

San José, Costa Rica (new San Pedro school)

NEW German locations:

Constance, Germany

Freudental, Germany

Lindau, Germany

NEW Italian location:

Cilento coast, Italy (juniors only)

NEW Russian location:

Kiev, Ukraine

NEW English locations:

Jersey, UK

Loch Long, UK (juniors only)

Santa Barbara, US (juniors only)

NEW TEFL location:

Strasbourg, France

Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide, as well as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses in many countries across the globe too.

Zürich – a city that is full of surprises

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Zürich is a city that is largely associated with business and commerce, and is generally known as Switzerland’s financial centre. As a result, it seems to have gained a reputation a sterile and somewhat soulless place, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The city itself enjoys an attractive setting on the northern tip of Lake Zürich, with the south and the Alps in the background. It has a pretty old town, which spans the river and boasts an array of interesting lanes and buildings, including the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches.

Anyone interested in history and culture will be spoilt for choice given that Zurich has more than 50 museums, art galleries, the opera, orchestras and the Schauspielhaus theatre, as well as a number of performance spaces that encourage contemporary artists.

In terms of bars and restaurants, Zürich has hundreds of options that cater for all tastes and budgets. If you want to be wined and dined you won’t be disappointed, but equally if you’re after some traditional Austrian fare you can take your pick of authentic eateries.

Perhaps the most compelling evidence to negate Zürich’s undeserved label as a ‘boring’ city is the fact that it hosts what is now known as Europe’s largest annual street party! Modelled on the Berlin Love Parade, the event – held every August – now attracts over half a million revelers who come year after year to soak up the atmosphere.

In addition to the Love Parade, Zurich offers several other summer festivals that are well worth a visit:

– The Zürich Festival takes place this year from 17th June- 10th July and offers a unique combination of opera, concert, dance, theatre and art.

– From 2nd July – 4th July the Caliente, festival tropical celebrates South American rhythms with live music, dance shows and markets. It has become the largest festival of Latin American culture in the German-speaking countries of Europe.

Zürich’s central European location makes it easily accessible by rail, air or road, and it has a temperate climate that will suit summer holiday plans. With so much to offer, why not give it a try this year? You won’t be disappointed…

Read more on German courses in Zurich

Experience traditional England at its best: the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race

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One of the UK’s most traditional sporting events, the Oxford- Cambridge Boat Race dates back to 1829. Today, it has become one of Britain’s major international sporting occasions, and attracts millions of viewers from around the world. On Race Day up to 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the River Thames from Putney (South West London) to Mortlake (West London) to witness the event.

The idea for the rowing race first came from two friends – Charles Merivale, a Cambridge University student, and his former school friend Charles Wordsworth (the nephew of poet William Wordsworth), who was studying at Oxford.

On 12 March 1829, Cambridge sent a challenge to Oxford and a long-standing tradition was born – every year the loser of the previous year’s race challenges the opposition to a re-match.

Cambridge have won the race 79 times so far, and Oxford on 75 occasions. The current Course Record is also held by Cambridge, which stands at 16 minutes 19 seconds.

Attending the race will give you a great insight into the old-fashioned rivalry between these two hugely prestigious universities. It’s a thoroughly English race that will show you a lot about our culture, and will provide an exciting afternoon’s entertainment!

Find out more on our English language courses in Cambridge, other parts of the UK and Ireland

Top 10 things to do in Genoa

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Genoa is probably best known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, although it has plenty of other things to shout about. One such accolade is its cuisine, which includes both pesto and focaccia – two of Italian cookery’s most popular (and tasty!) exports.

It’s an attractive, historic and interesting city to choose as an Italian study destination, and if you’re lucky enough to spend time there you should do your best to make time for these activities whilst you’re there.

1. Visit the Porto Antico

Genoa is still a thriving port city, but the ‘Porto Antico’ (Ancient Port) has recently been restored into an attractive ‘historic quarter’. Today the harbour is lined with modern sculptures, and some interesting museums, and the old warehouses in the area have been converted into cinema and exhibition centre.

2. Have a look around the Aquarium

After walking around the port, you should definitely head to the Genoa Aquarium (Acquario di Genova). Built by the same architect as the Pompidou Center in Paris, it’s the largest aquarium in Europe, containing 71 tanks and over 500 sea and ocean dwelling species from all over the world.

3. Stroll along the Le Strade Nuove

The ‘new streets’ of Genoa were built during the city’s so-called ‘golden age’ (1528-1630), when some its most powerful families were at the forefront of Europe’s financial scene. They decided to relocate from the Centro Storico and build a ‘new Genoa’ on the hills behind – this resulted in the construction of some amazing buildings which have kept their elegance to this day.

4. Go to the Mercato Orientale image

Held within the walls of an old monastery, the Mercato Orientale is a mouth-watering food market with stall after stall of delicious produce.  You’ll find cheese, meat, bread and succulent fruit and vegetables, and each item has a sign explaining where in Italy it’s from. A great way to practise your Italian is to get advice from the vendors on how best to cook the food – they’re expert on the subject and will be more than happy to tell you.

5. Visit La Lanterna – Genoa’s best known landmark

A symbol of Genoa for centuries, La Lanterna (lighthouse) offers visitors an impressive view over the port and bay. Its light is visible from more than 50km away. Built on a rock of 40 metres of height, the top of the Lanterna stands at 117 metres above the sea level – visitors can climb 172 steps to the first terrace, which is 76 metres above sea level…still not for the faint hearted!

6. Get a great view of Genoa from Castelletto

Genoa is well known for its hills, and for another breathtaking view of the city, and to save your legs, take a lift up to Castelletto, a district perched right over the rooftops of the old part of the city.

7. Visit one of Genoa’s many ‘Palazzi’

There are lots of palaces with impressive gardens in Genoa, but the street with the most has to be pedestrianised Via Garibaldi. Amongst those now open to the public is the Palazzo Doria Tursi, which is now the town hall. 

8. See Christopher Columbus’ house

To see the former dwelling of world famous explorer Christopher Columbus you need to head to medieval Porta Soprana. The small ‘Casa di Cristoforo Colombo’ is supposedly where the explorer spent his youth, although it was heavily reconstructed during the 18th century. Today, the house is furnished in a style which is in keeping with Christopher Colombus’ childhood years.

9. Take a tour of Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Genoa cathedral’s distinctive black-and-white striped façade makes it easily recognisable. Inside is the Cappella del San Giovanni Battista, a chapel that is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and is said to contain the saint’s relics. Remarkably, a bomb was dropped on the cathedral in the Second World War but failed to detonate, leaving it in tact for visitors to enjoy today.

10. Take a day/overnight trip to the Cinque Terre image

Jump on the train south for an hour and a half and you’ll find yourself in the midst of the beautiful Cinque Terre – five hillside villages perched on the Ligurian coast. Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are the villages, which, along with the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cactus offers a range of Italian course in Genoa, including General Italian, Individual Italian, Combined Italian, Business Italian and Italian Language and Culture. For full course listings and to book please visit the Cactus Language website.

French weekend course in London: Cactus staff review

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Although up until now I have taken lessons in several languages, French hasn’t been part of my linguistic portfolio until recently. I learnt some very basics of the language on a beginner course at university but since then I hadn’t really done anything to maintain my French except for some random phrases learnt from my French friends. So when I booked train tickets for a city break in Paris I decided it was time to brush up my skills.

While it is indeed useful to spend time in a country where the language is spoken, taking a course really boosts the learning experience. I was only going to spend three days on the other side of the channel so I didn’t have time to do a course there. Instead I decided to combine my trip to France with a Cactus weekend course as they particularly suit people like me who are heading for a holiday and quickly want to gain results. The timing of the course was also perfect as my city break in Paris took place between the two classes of the course.

Not only did I complete a French Level 3 crash course over two Saturdays and nipped off for a quick trip to Paris but spent time on homework and practicsed with friends as well. After spending some time in a French-speaking environment and completing the course I felt I had learnt quite a lot in a short space of time about both French language and culture. I had taken the Cactus level test a few months earlier and it placed me at a low level 2. After a week of intensive French learning I decided to have another go and got a score equivalent to level 4.

On the first day of my crash course I was terrified of having to speak French as my skills were really sketchy. I had wanted a challenge but when I actually had to open my mouth and produce words and sentences that would actually make sense, I was not too sure anymore. Soon after my uncertain start I realised that I had to take on a new attitude which meant not worrying too much about my broken French but instead allowing myself to make mistakes and learn from them. That was the way to overcome the challenge, and soon I began to feel more comfortable in the class.

We practised speaking quite a lot in class and every time we reached an impasse and were hoping our teacher would give us the translations we needed she advised us to find another way of expressing what we wanted to say. Though it might feel a bit frustrating at first, it is clearly an effective way of learning as you have no way around French other than simply speaking it. Otherwise you just keep translating between languages, rather than learning to think in the language you are attempting to learn.

Three days later I embarked on my journey to Paris. My French immersion experience began immediately as announcements on the train were both in French and English. I tried to take advantage of the French-speaking environment and make my stay in Paris a learning experience. Besides taking in the beauty of Paris I paid attention to the language in every possible situation. I was listening to people around me. I read posters, newspaper headlines, street signs and etiquettes in a supermarket.

Going on a holiday to Paris amid my French classes was definitely beneficial to my language learning. Being able to practise what I had learnt was motivating, and I could see the results. I noticed how similar French is to English in terms of vocabulary and I started noticing patterns in the language. My vocabulary is still limited but clearly my brain had started to decipher the language and I was able to figure out many words with the help of English and Spanish.

While in Paris I decided to interact in French only when making orders in a restaurant, café or going shopping. I recall the sense of achievement when on my first day I managed to buy some tickets for buses and undergrounds. It wasn’t a long dialogue but nevertheless it was the first time I used French in a real-life situation. If such small things could make me so delighted, it was definitely worth making the effort to learn the language. Being able to put my newly acquired language skills into use right away was a truly motivating experience and I am looking forward to taking my French skills further.

Cactus offers weekend ‘crash’ courses in French, German, Italian, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese at our Holbon-Russell Square centre in London. Courses now take place over one weekend, with 5 hours of tuition on Saturday and the same on Sunday.

French course in Brighton: staff review

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Course Coordinator at Cactus Amy King reports back on her 10-week French evening course in Brighton…

Having studied a bit of French at school and then taken lessons alongside my degree course at University, I was eager to continue learning and consolidate my knowledge so as not to let it slip completely from memory. I found a 10-week level 3 French course to be exactly what I needed to help me to revise and refresh my memory.

The teacher, Helene, was very dynamic and had a contagious passion for teaching that couldn’t help but muster enthusiasm from the students, even on evenings when we may be feeling a little weary after a long day.  She encouraged us all to speak a lot during class (jokingly scolding us if she heard too much English!) and gave us a lot of help to perfect our pronunciation.  One of Helene’s strengths as a teacher was that she provided an assortment of learning materials and ensured that there was a lot of variation in what we learnt in class.  Lessons would combine a mixture of speaking, reading and listening exercises, with written work mostly saved for homework.  Helene supplemented the exercises that we worked from in the course book with worksheets that she had created herself and articles that she had found. This, I think, showed her dedication to the class, as when she was reading a French article about Brighton, one of her first thoughts was of her students and copied this article for us all to read.

I was very lucky in that I was in a group with only a small number of students, which made me feel a lot more confident speaking aloud in class.  Having been rather self-conscious at school putting questions forward to the teacher and speaking in front of my peers, I felt very comfortable in this group as all students in the class got along very well.

One of the best parts of the course for me personally was that I was really able to see my development and progression. When recently reading an email that was written in French, I was really pleased to learn that I was able to translate and understand the majority of it.This has really encouraged me to keep learning and to move on to level 4.

Cactus offers a range of evening and part-time language courses all around the UK. Please visit the Language Courses UK website for full listings of languages, locations and to test your level.

German Easter Traditions

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On Good Friday the crosses in churches are covered with cloths, and people have fish-based meals. It is also a time for Spring cleaning and decorating houses with flowers such as crocuses and daffodils, willow and birch branches or wheat sprouts. Decorated eggs are also hung from trees.

On the evening of Easter Saturday, Sunday or Monday in parts of northern Germany they light large bonfires (Osterfeuer), consisting mainly of Christmas trees which have been saved especially for the occasion. This practice dates back to the 16th century at least, and possibly to pre-Christian times, and nowadays the fires symbolise the resurrection of Jesus.They are an opportunity for people to get together, drink beer, eat snacks and play games. In some places candles are lit from the bonfires and carried in solemn procession into churches while people sing Lumen Christi (Light of Christ), while in the town of Lüdge there’s a variation on the bonfire tradition involving rolling huge flaming wheels made of wood and straw down hills.

In ancient times bonfires were thought to banish the darkness and cold of winter and welcome the light and warmth of spring. They were also supposed to increase the fertility of fields and protect households from illness.

Families have a special Easter lunch on Easter Sunday (Ostertag) which includes lamb, chicken, eggs and a lamb-shaped cake. Traditionally the “Easter hare” (Osterhase) – the origin of the Easter bunny – hides eggs and chocolates in gardens for the children to find on Easter Sunday, and children write to the Easter hare with their wishes for Easter.

There are other Easter traditions that are specific to certain regions or cities in Germany too. For example, in parts of northern Germany there’s a tradition, known as Eiertruellen, of rolling or throwing Easter eggs down hills. Children compete with one another to see who can get their egg to the bottom of the hills in one piece! In the Bavarian town of Oberammergau there’s also a famous Easter ‘passion play’ that is based on the life of Jesus. Usually, there are over two thousand participants and the play can last up to seven hours! The tradition dates back to 1870 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year…

Cactus offers a range of German courses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For full listings and to book please visit www.cactuslanguage.com.