An A-Z of why to choose Rouen as a French study destination

A is for Apples. These fruits are grown in abundance in Normandy, and are the principal ingredient in one of the region’s most famous exports – cider.

B is for Bayeux. Home to the famous tapestry, this town is located close to Rouen and is well worth a visit.

C is for Camembert. Normandy is the home of Camembert cheese, which was reputedly invented in 1791 by farmer Marie Harel.

D is for Deauville. A short ride away from Rouen is the charming and upmarket seaside resort of Deauville. Long frequented by the rich and famous, it now plays host to an annual festival of American film, which attracts all manner of Hollywood A-listers.

E is for Étretat. Étretat is best known for its cliffs, including a famous natural arch. These cliffs and the associated resort beach are famous for their being visited by, and inspiration to, Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet.

F is for Fécamp The coastal town of Fécamp, located only a short distance from Rouen, is best known for being the home of Benedictine. The Palais Benedictine now houses a visitors’ centre, which shows how the liqueur is made.

G is for Giverny. This stunning village is where Monet lived, and was the inpsiration behind many of his masterpieces.

H is for Honfleur. Honfleur is a pretty medieval town on the coast that also inspired many of the impressionist painters.

I is for Impressionism. This was a genre of many famous painters who lived in, or were deeply inspired by, the Normandy towns and villages.

J is for Joan of Arc. Rouen is where Joan of Arc, one of France’s most formidable and best-known heroines was imprisoned, and burnt at the stake. There are many churches, museums and galleries in the city that pay homage to the patron Saint of France and her life.

K is for Kilometres. The river that runs through large parts of Normandy (inclding Rouen), the Seine, is 776km long!

L is for Lisieux. Lisieux is one of the larger towns surrounding Rouen. It is a very historic place that is most famous for the beautiful Basilica of St Theresa. Catholic devotion to Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, who lived in the Carmel de Lisieux, makes it the most significant pilgrimage site in France after Lourdes.

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M is for Mont St Michel. Located just off the coast of Normandy, Le Mont St.Michel is an 80 metre high mound of granite with a variety of historic buildings nestled into it. The different stages of its construction have created a unique architectural ensemble which was classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979. 

N is for Normans. In Rouen and its surrounding towns you can find out a lot about the Normans and in particular, William the Conquerer.

O is for Oysters. Oysters are found in abundance in Normandy, and as such are one of the local specialities that you’d be mad not to try.

P is for Piaf. Born in Bernay, close to Rouen, Edith Piaf (or La môme – the sparrow – as she is affectionately called) remains one of France’s best-loved sweethearts.

Q is for Quality school! The school in Rouen is well-established, high-quality and very friendly.

R is for Rouen. Rouen itself is a great city. Studying French there will give you access to some fascinating history, some fantastic bars and restarants and a real taste of French culture.

S is for Saint-Saëns. Born in Paris to a Norman father, French composer Camille Saint-Saëns made Normandy his home.

T is for Tarte Normande. Made principally from apples, this delicous dish from Normandy is definitely one to try.

U is for Utah Beach. Utah Beach is one of the key Normandy tourist attractions. It was the codename for the right flank or westernmost of the Allied landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, as part of Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944.

V is for Victor Hugo. The writer Victor Hugo lived at Villequier, near Caudebec, which is not far from Rouen.

W is for Writers. As well as Victor Hugo, writers Guy de Maupassant and Gustave Flaubert also made Normandy their home.

X is for Xmas markets. Every Christmas there are hundreds of traditional markets across Normandy, where you can find all kinds of gifts and local foods.

Y is for Yearlings annual sale. Every August in Deauville there is a large and famous sale of ‘yearlings’ (horses that are one year old).

Z is for Zoo Park at Cleres. This is another prime Normandy attraction, and is a speciality zoo that has one of the best bird collections in the world.

More about French courses in Rouen

More about school trips abroad to Rouen

New York Metro - 21 April 2011

As the NY PR campaign begins to gain momentum, Cactus has been included in NY Metro’s MyMetro section with details of its summer camp courses: “Cactus Language Training:

Cactus arranges a wide range of language courses aimed at students under 18. 115 W. 29th St. (888-577-8451) Cost $801-$900 per week. Ages 8-18.”

Where can I learn Spanish AND a water sport?

Currently, there are schools in seven countries around the world that offer Spanish courses with some form of water sport, whether it’s diving, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing or sailing.

Combing language lessons with tuition in a water sport not only makes your time abroad more varied and active, it also enables you to practise the language you’ve learnt in a real life environment. Normally, the water sports instruction will be in Spanish, although essential information can normally be communicated in several other languages if your language skills aren’t very advanced.

Below are details of the locations where students can take Spanish and water sports courses.

1. Spanish and Surfing / Kite surfing in Pichelimu, Chile

A beach resort town in central Chile, Pichelimu has become known as the country’s surf capital.  The city is surrounded by some lovely scenery, with rolling hills and forests, and is also known for its entertainment scene. The spectacular beaches are a great place to learn to surf or kite surf – both are possible here…

More about courses in Pichelimu

2. Spanish and Surfing in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Located just two hours from San José by road, Jaco Beach is one of the closest to the capital and is therefore popular with both Costa Ricans and foreign visitors. The resort is well-known for its surfing and laid-back atmosphere, and there’s a huge array of bars and restaurants to enjoy when the sun goes down. Jaco’s 3km stretch of golden sand means that you can find your feet on a board without being swarmed by other surfers.

More about courses in Jaco Beach

3. Spanish and Surfing in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica image

Playa Tamarindo’s long white beaches and sparkling turquoise waters make it a great place to learn to learn to surf. It’s friendly, vibrant and, for any nature lovers, has the added benefit of being sandwiched by two protected beaches, Playa Grande and Playa Langosta, that serve as nesting areas for the giant leatherback turtle from October-March.

More about courses in Playa Tamarindo

4. Spanish and Surfing in Samara, Costa Rica

Located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in the north west of the country, the tranquil resort of Samara is home to a safe and beautiful beach. Palm trees line 5km of soft white sand, in a protected coral reef bay. It’s a real tropical paradise that will make learning to surf an absolute pleasure.

More about courses in Samara

5. Spanish and Windsurfing/Diving/Kite Surfing in Sosua, Dominican Republic image

A small seaside town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Sosua is a great location for all water sports enthusiasts. Currently on offer in conjunction with Spanish classes are windsurfing, diving and kite surfing lessons for both beginners and those who are more experienced. In the evenings, students will be able to enjoy all that Sosua has to offer in terms of bars and restaurants, of which there are many!

More about courses in Sosua

6. Spanish and Diving in La Ceiba, Honduras

The third largest city in Honduras, La Ceiba is situated on the country’s northern coast and is home to beautiful Caribbean beaches and sparkling waters that would entice anyone into the world of diving. The city now boasts the coveted title of ‘entertainment’ capital of Honduras, which ensures that there is plenty to enjoy after your daytime Spanish and diving lessons too…

More about courses in Le Ceiba

7. Spanish and Diving in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico image

There are few places that come closer to the image of a tropical paradise than Playa del Carmen. The vast white sand beaches and bright blue waters that typify the resort make it an ideal place to learn how to dive, and the lively resort atmosphere offers students plenty of opportunity to practise their Spanish outside of lessons. The Spanish school in Playa is a well-established and large centre that offers a really large range of course options and activities.

More about courses in Playa del Carmen

8. Spanish and Surfing in Lima, Peru

Lima may not immediately spring to mind as a prime surf location, but in actual fact the capital city of Peru is in close proximity to some really great beaches with big waves.  Students can surf in Miraflores in walking distance of the school, but the best breaks are to be found all along the rugged Pacific desert coast to the North and South of the city.

More about courses in Lima

9. Spanish and Surfing in Cadiz, Spain

Located on the south coast of Spain in the region of Andalucia, Cadiz has lots going for it, with plenty of history and culture but some great beaches to enjoy too.

More about courses in Cadiz

10. Spanish and Surfing in San Sebastian, Spain image

An up- market resort on Spain’s basque coast, San Sebastian has long been popular amongst both Spanish learners and surfers.  The incredible golden beach is delightfully uncrowded and the town itself is a fantastic mix of Basque and Spanish tradition, and is well known for its restaurants and tapas bars especially.

More about courses in San Sebastian

11. Spanish and Surfing/Diving in Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife seems to have developed a reputation as a prime package-holiday destination over the years, but away from the tacky tourist resorts there are some lovely and authentic corners to explore. The island benefits not only from year round nice weather, but also from some fantastic waters that make a great place to learn to dive or to surf.

More about courses in Tenerife

12. Spanish and Surfing/ Windsurfing/Diving in Montevideo, Uruguay image

Another location that might seem an unlikely option for water sports, Montevideo’s location on the Rio de la Plata estuary actually means that there are several on offer. The city is quite European in feel, and there is certainly plenty in the way of arts, culture and entertainment to enjoy too. It offers a good alternative to the typically tropical locations in South America, should some students want one.

More about courses in Montevideo

Chicago Tribune - 17 April 2011

Cactus was included in the well-read “News to Use” section of The Chicago Tribune, penned by Phil Marty.  The news snip reads: “Want to learn a language overseas? Check out cactuslanguagetraining.com/us.” See the full page at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-0417-news-to-use-20110416,0,7835476.story

10 courses you never knew existed

If you’re already a qualified diver and also happen to make your own pasta, know your wines and shimmy across the dance floor, our regular language and activity courses such as diving, cooking, wine tasting and salsa are perhaps a little old-hat for you.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different that will certainly be a talking point down the pub, here are 10 cool, quirky and off-beat courses that might just be right up your street. 

1. Spanish & Culture through Love, in Valencia, Spain:

Probably the most unique and fun Spanish course you will ever take, this course teaches you Spanish with music, films and literature based on, you guessed it, love. Visit a Spanish wedding or let your hair down at a bachelor’s party…you’ll either fall in love with it or on it!

Spanish & Love course in Valencia

2. Spanish & Polo in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

Learn Spanish during the week and spend your weekends at a typical Estancia learning polo, eating traditional Argentine asado and chilling by the pool!

Spanish & Polo in Buenos Aires

3. Spanish & Horse-riding in Montevideo, Uruguay:

If you ever fancied yourself as a South American gaucho, this is the course for you! You will stay on a ranch close to the Brazilian border, horse-ride for a few hours each day and spend the rest of your time swimming, fishing, bird watching or taking a boat ride on the river. Yee-haw!

Spanish & Horse-riding in Montevideo

4. Italian & Fashion Design in Milan, Italy:

Armani, Moschino, Gucci, Versace…all the best designers come from Italy, and you could too. This 4-week programme will prepare you for fashion or design school and give you a unique insight into the Italian fashion industry, all in the fashion capital of Milan.

Italian & Fashion Design in Milan

5. Italian & Opera in Verona:

If you like a bit of a sing song, it doesn’t get much better than learning opera in Verona. Taught by the Musical Stage Director of the prestigious Fondazione Arena di Verona, your vocal chords will reach notes you didn’t know they were capable of and your Italian will improve enormously too.

Italian & Opera in Verona, Italy

6. Portuguese & Capoeira in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil:

It looks cool, but what exactly are they doing? The Brazilian art of capoeira is part-dance, part-martial art, and there’s nowhere better to master the power kicks and leg sweeps than in its true home, Brazil.

Portuguese & Capoeira in Salvador

7. French & Gourmet Food in Rouen, France:

If you enjoy good food, this course in Rouen is almost too good to be true. Not only does it take place at one of the best French language schools in Europe, but typical activities include gourmet meals at award-winning local restaurants, a visit to Camembert village and tastings at Calvados distilleries. Encore, s’il vous plait!

French & Gourmet Food in Rouen, France

8. Mandarin Chinese & Calligraphy in Xian, China:

The ancient Chinese art of calligraphy is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture whilst studying the language. Your calligraphy classes will teach you how to produce beautiful Chinese characters using traditional techniques…definitely one to write home about.

Chinese & Calligraphy in Xian

9. Japanese & Pop Culture in Fukuoka, Japan:

This course is a must for anyone into Japanese manga, music and movies. Using the latest in Japanese pop culture to teach you Japanese as it’s really spoken, it includes fun out-of-class activities in the attractive and cultural city of Fukuoka.

Japanese & Pop Culture in Fukuoka

10. Spanish & Digital Photography in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica:

Don’t know the difference between your shutter speed and aperture? Get more out of your photos with this fantastic course on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and come home with snaps to be proud of.

Spanish & Digital Photography in Jaco Beach

Cactus offers language courses in more than 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide.

10 little known facts about Münster

Here are ten facts about the city that you may not have known before!

1. Münster is home to 280,000 residents, including 55,000 students enrolled in six universities and colleges.

2. Münster is known as the ‘Bicycle Capital of Germany’. With 500,000 bicycles registered in Münster, there are almost two bikes per resident! Germany’s first bicycle park is directly in front of the main train station, with 3500 parking spaces, a bike rental office, and a repair shop. Münster also introduced the skateboard to Germany in the 1970s.

3. As you may expect from a place that is known for its love of bicycles, Münster is a very ‘green’ city. This accolade has been reflected in the many international awards that the city has won – in 2004 Münster was named “The World’s Most Livable City” by the UN’s Environmental Program and in 2006, it was crowned by “Deutsche Umwelthilfe” (‘German Environment Aid’) as the “National Climate Protection Capital” for the second time. In 2005, the city won a further award for its climate protection projects as the first large German city to receive the coveted European Energy Award Gold Medal.

4. Münster is named after the monastary around which it grew, founded in the year 793. The city played an important part in the Reformation, when the Anabaptists waged war in the 1500s. Europe’s Thirty Years War was ended with a treaty signed here.

5. Münster is often called the ‘Land of 100 moated castles’. The city and its surrounding area, as the titles suggests, is home to 100 castles, all of which are linked up by the bike path ‘100 Schlösser Route’.

6. Münster has its own airport, with international flights. Currently, you can fly direct from London Stansted to Münster with Air Berlin.

7. Hollywood actress Franka Potente was born in Münster!

8. Münster is home to more than 800 pubs, bars and restaurants, 22 museums and 6 cinemas. There are also an array of theatres showing regular plays and performances.

9. The city has forged nine twinning relationships since 1957.  Cities that are twinned with Münster include York (England), Orléans (France), Kristiansand (Norway), Monastir (Tunisia), Rishon LeZion (Israel) and Fresno (USA).

10. Münster was home to famous German poet and author Annette von Droste-Hülshoff (1797 – 1848). She was born at “Burg Hülshoff” (Castle Hülshoff), just outside Münster. In later years, she lived in “Haus Rüschhaus“ in the Nienberge district of the city.

More about German courses in Münster

Inti Raymi: Spectacular Incan Festival of the Sun

There can be no ignoring the Incan roots of the spectacular city of Cusco, high in the Peruvian Andes. And if there is one festival that epitomises all things Incan, it’s Inti Raymi, the largest and most important festival in the Inca calendar, and one that still takes place today, on June 24th each year.

According to Incan mythology, Inti was the sun god, and the name Inti Raymi comes from the Quechuan language meaning ‘Festival of the Sun’. Inca religion focused predominantly on the worship of the sun, being an essential aspect of life: it provided both light and warmth, and crop growth depended on it.

Inti Raymi therefore grew as a religious ceremony in honor of Inti, but it also marked the winter solstice – when the sun is furthest from the Earth – and the start of a new year. It took place at the end of the potato and corn harvest to thank the sun for a successful crop, and to ask for another good crop the following season. Although the winter solstice ‘officially’ begins on 21st June, the Incan sundial – known as Pacha Unachaq – showed that the sun remained in the same place for a few days before rising on 24th June.  So it was that Inti Raymi festival was dated 24th June.

Today, Inti Raymi celebrations take place 2km outside Cusco, in the magnificent walled complex of Sacsayhuamán. It is the second largest festival in South America, after Rio’s carnival. Peruvians, South Americans and visitors from all over the globe come together for the week-long celebrations that include music, concerts, dancing, street fairs, exhibitions, religious ceremonies and elaborate traditional dress. By day the streets are filled with the sound of celebration and the scent of fresh flowers, and by night popular Peruvian groups put on free concerts in the main square, the Plaza de Armas.

Yet the real highlight is on the day itself, 24th June. A procession, led by the Incan emperor Sapa Inca on his throne, and followed by elaborately robed priests, nobles and other celebrants (some 500 actors bring the past alive with their portrayals of typical Incan citizens), winds its way from Santo Domingo church in central Cusco to Sacsayhuamán, where it is met by huge crowds. Sapa Inca then sits upon a sacred altar, in view of everyone, and the day proceeds with speeches, a sacrificial llama and prayers for the fertility of the earth. As the sun sets, fires are lit and people dance. Inti Raymi finishes, and new year begins, with a similar procession back to Cusco.

Cusco gets very busy as Inti Raymi approaches and the town prepares for the biggest celebration of the year. Accommodation gets booked up far in advance; why not get round this by taking a Spanish language course in Cusco and staying with a local family? This is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the language and culture, and will help you to experience Inti Raymi celebrations from the ‘inside’ rather than just as a passing tourist. Cactus runs Spanish courses in Cusco at all levels and from one week upwards. There is even a special Spanish Flavours of the Andes course where you can enjoy true Latin Culture!

Which countries have the most TEFL jobs?

When it comes to TEFL, it is often assumed that you can teach anywhere in the world that you want, and to a certain extent this is true…

You could, visa permitting, arrive anywhere your heart desires and offer your services as a TEFL teacher. It pays to do a little research beforehand, however, to maximise your chances of finding work.

Europe

When it comes to finding paid work in private language schools there do seem to be certain countries where there is much more work on offer than others. Long-standing hotspots in Europe include Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. The Eastern European countries of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary all offer ample opportunities for work too, as, more recently, do Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Russia is also a plentiful source of work for today’s TEFL teacher.

Asia

Competing with Europe for the title of most popular teaching destination is Asia. There are thousands of jobs here, especially in China, where it was estimated last year that around 80,000 more English teachers are needed! Taiwan, South Korea and Japan all offer teaching opportunities aplenty too, and it is often in these countries where you can stand to earn some of the highest wages in the industry.

The South East Asian countries of Thailand and Vietnam are becoming veritable magnets for TEFL teachers – with their low cost of living and exotic nature it’s no wonder really.

Middle East

The Middle East is another area of the world where English teachers are in high demand, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE it seems. It’s worth bearing in mind that requirements can sometimes be quite strict though, not only in terms of qualifications and experience but also in terms of gender.

Australia

Interestingly, Australia is a country that is always in need of teachers as well. The English-learning industry here is big business, and there is a wealth of private language schools English which need qualified teachers. They seem especially keen, apparently, to employ people working on working holiday visas.

South America

South America is another area of the world where it is relatively easy to find TEFL work, with Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile seemingly top of the list for jobs. This part of the world can be a good option for teachers who want to teach fairly short-term, or in a variety of countries, especially as a lot of the work is ‘casual’.

Africa

Africa as a continent offers fewer opportunities for paid work in language schools, as is probably to be expected. Exceptions to this are the Northern countries of Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Libya where you sometimes see jobs advertised. South Africa also has options for anyone able to get a visa.

North America

Notably missing from the run-down thus far are Canada and the US, where unless you are able to get a green card it is unfortunately almost impossible to get work.

UK

A good number of Brits who train in TEFL actually want to stay and teach in the UK, and there are certainly opportunities to be had. Britain has thousands of language schools that need English teachers, although competition for these jobs can sometimes be high. As with anything though, a lot of how successful your job hunt is depends on how well you market yourself, and to a certain extent, being in the right place at the right time. Doing your TEFL training course in a school you’d be interested in working for, or securing work at one of the thousands of summer programmes held at schools across the country can both be good ways of getting your foot in the door.

Aside from working in a private language school, there is also the option for anyone hoping to make money from teaching English to register as a freelance trainer with language training agencies such as Cactus, to advertise locally and offer private English tuition, or to work within the lifelong learning sector.

Volunteering opportunities for teaching EFL are always abundant too, whether in the UK or abroad. To do this abroad you would need to search out a specific programme with a volunteering organisation (of which there are hundreds), but possibilities in the UK are easier to source and arrange. The majority of this will be teaching immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers as part of council or charity-led schemes.

More about TEFL courses worldwide

Top 5 German course destinations this summer

1. Constance

The town of Konstanz as it’s known in German is situated at the western end of Lake Constance, near to the Swiss border. It’s a lively university town and has a large old town full of cobbled streets, attractive old buildings and buzzing cafés. Although the university students are no longer there in the summer, its location on the lake and close to beautiful hills and meadows makes it a great option for a summer language course. There are a huge range of activities to do in your free time, and summer festivals like the Seenachtfest to enjoy too. The Seenachtfest always takes place on the second Saturday in August and has been in existence for hundreds of years. Today, the firework display is one of the largest in Europe and attracts thousands of visitors who come to watch, and to enjoy the activities, musical performances and market stalls that precede it.

More about German courses in Constance

2. Lindau

The Bavarian town of Lindau is located on an island in the eastern part of Lake Constance. It’s a really beautiful and historic town whose idyllic setting surrounded by lakes, vineyards, forests and hills makes it a fantastic summer German course destination. Outside of lessons students can cycle, swim, canoe, sail, dive or, just enjoy a spot of sunbathing at the lakeside. Equally, there are a range of cultural and historic sites to explore, including the town’s medieval old town and the range of beautiful buildings that are housed within it. In the evenings, the lakeside cafes and restaurants are a perfect place to take in the surroundings and practise your German.

More about German courses in Lindau

3. Zürich image

Zürich is located on a picturesque river and lake whose water is so clean you can drink it! It’s an affluent, fashionable city that has a really laid-back atmosphere – quite the opposite in fact to the dull, sterile image that used to be applied to it. In fact, since the late 1990s hundreds of new bars, restaurants and clubs have opened in the city, and Zürich’s Street Parade has now taken the title of ‘Europe’s largest annual street party’ from London’s Notting Hill carnival. Taking a German course in Zürich during the summer will mean that you can make the most of the lakeside setting, whether you want to swim or just soak up some rays. You can also enjoy the thriving café culture and experience the many events and festivals that take place in the city during June, July and August.

More about German courses in Zürich

4. Regensburg image

Situated in the north of Bavaria, close to the Czech border, Regensburg is a beautiful old city whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its modest size makes the city really easy to get around and explore, but the large university in the town means that there’s a really lively atmosphere and plenty going on. There are lots of squares with cafes and beer gardens that offer an ideal way to spend warm summer evenings, and the hills, meadows and lakes of the surrounding Bavarian countryside are fantastic to explore at this time of year.  Regensburg also hosts a number of festivals during the summer, including the Bavarian Jazz festival every July.

More about German courses in Regensburg

5. Hamburg image

Germany’s second city is a fantastic choice for anyone hoping to take a German course during the summer. Hamburg has scores of tourist attractions to enjoy at any time of the year, but winters can be very cold, and its location on the coast can certainly be best enjoyed when the weather is warmer. Hamburg is home to over a thousand parks and gardens, which are perfect for sunbathing and picnicking, and the city’s harbour area (in particular the old warehouse district) boasts hundreds of cafes and restaurants where you can sit out and enjoy the sun. Hamburg is also the gateway to the beach and spa resorts of the Baltic coast, where you can spend days or afternoons away from the city if you wish. If you happen to get any rainy days, there are scores of museums dedicated to art, history and even spices that will give you an interesting insight into this influencial city in times gone by…

More about German courses in Hamburg

Cactus offers a variety of German course destinations throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austra. Please visit the Cactus Language webiste for full course listings and to book.

20 essential holiday phrases in French

Hello Bonjour
Goodbye Au revoir
Please S’il vous plaît
Thank you Merci
Yes Oui
No Non
Excuse me/sorry Excusez-moi/désolé(e)
My name is… Je m’appelle

What is your name? Comment vous vous appelez?
Nice to meet you Enchanté(e)
Where do you come from? Vous venez d’où?
I come from Great Britain/America Je viens de Grande Bretagne/des États-Unis
How are you? Ça va?
Where is…? Où est…?
I would like (2 bottles of water) Je voudrais (deux bouteilles d’eau)
How much is that? C’est combien?
How do I get to…? Comment aller à…?
I don’t understand Je ne comprends pas
I’m sorry, I don’t speak French Je suis désolé(e), je ne parle pas le français…
Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais?