10 best islands to take a language course

If sun, sea and sand are your idea of heaven, then read on. Don’t forget, however, that some islands are also home to thriving cities, spectacular physical terrain, delicious cuisine and unique culture. For a holiday with a difference, why not learn a language on one of these fabulous islands.

1. Guadeloupe

There aren’t many places where you can step out of class onto a pristine Caribbean beach, but if you come to learn French in Guadeloupe this will be your reality. A little piece of paradise in the French West Indies, Guadeloupe is blessed with beautiful beaches, rivers and waterfalls, as well as a rich cultural heritage stemming from its Caribbean Creole roots. Typical after-class activities include swimming, diving and snorkeling, each of which makes the most of the warm climate and beautiful natural scenery. This sun-kissed archipelago is not your average French study destination, but it’s certainly one worthy of a postcard home.

French courses in Guadeloupe

2. Cuba

Cuba offers all that you would expect of a Caribbean island – long sandy beaches, imagehot sunshine and cocktails to hand – yet, with a history paved by revolution and its present rooted in communism, it’s not your average tourist destination. With the infectious beat of salsa on every street corner and warm cubano hearts welcoming all who visit, you’ll find it impossible not to get swept up in it all. 

NB. Please note that current sanctions prohibit US citizens and permanent residents from booking our language programmes in Cuba.

Spanish courses in Cuba

3. Crete

Sitting in the southern Aegean Sea and basking in warm Mediterranean sunshine year-round, Crete is an island of surprises. image

Not just a place to lay down your towel – although its beaches are undeniably tempting – it boasts a fascinating history, being the first civilization in Europe and the centre of the Minoan civilisation. It also maintains its own culture unique to mainland Greece, in the form of traditional folk music, Cretan dialect and ‘mantinada’ poetry, and superb physical geography in the form of mountain ranges, valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, rivers and lakes. Add to this the charming coastal town of Chania and you have the perfect setting for a Greek language course.

Greek courses in Chania, Crete

4. Hawaii image

The allure of some of the world’s best beaches is what brings many people to Hawaii to learn English. Famous in the surfing world, these volcanic Pacific islands offer sun, sea and sand in abundance. Come to Honolulu, however, and when not beach-side you’ll be treated to a buzzing entertainments scene and a plethora of museums and cultural attractions, including the only royal palace in the USA. Make the most of the waves or immerse yourself in the local culture by combining your course with surfing or hula dance. This is certainly an island with a difference.

English courses in Honolulu, Hawaii

5. Island of Elba image

Just 28km long and 19km at its widest point, the Island of Elba is a heavenly green garden set in a sparkling blue sea. Located just off Italy’s west coast, this beautiful island was home to an exiled Napoleon, and you can really only wonder at his luck in ending up here. Today, people flock here willingly and probably wish they too could stay an entire year – whether it’s to relax on the pristine beaches, swim in the clear blue waters, hike the spectacular yet challenging inland terrain, or simply indulge in the tasty Italian food and wine. It gets busy in the summer, unsurprisingly, but many would say it’s entirely worth it.

Italian courses on the Island of Elba

6. Sicilyimage

Lying just south-west of mainland Italy, Sicily is the ball being kicked by the boot of Italy, as it were. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and boasts a rich and unique culture of which its people are extremely proud. The Sicilian language, or lingua siciliana, is spoken by the majority of its inhabitants yet it is not an official language – Italian is spoken and understood everywhere – and other areas such as art, literature, cuisine and music are very specific to the island too. A former cradle of ancient civilizations, and a crossroads of cultures between East and West, Sicily now attracts visitors who come to savour the warm Mediterranean climate and take in the island’s fascinating history, culture and sumptuous food. Or maybe they’ve heard that Sicilians have one of the longest life expectancies and are simply hoping to be let in on the secret…

Italian courses in Palermo, Sicily

Italian courses in Taormina, Sicily

7. Mallorca image

The Balearic island of Mallorca is a popular tourist destination in Europe, yet little known as a place to learn Spanish. Palma, however, its capital, is a wonderful city in which to learn the language – yes, the beaches are close, but it’s also home to a spectacular Gothic cathedral, a bustling Old Town and authentic local bars. Venture inland and you’ll be treated to beautiful mountain scenery, olive groves, pine forests and traditional villages – a world away from the crowded resorts on the coast.

Italian courses in Palma, Mallorca

8. Dominican Republic image

Tourism is the Dominican Republic’s dominant industry, although those in the know come here for more than the beaches, stunning though they are: the island is also home to a rich and fertile interior, cool mountain retreats, history in abundance, fine colonial architecture and delicious Caribbean food. Bring your swimsuit, yes, and your surfboard if you’re heading for Cabarete, but this is one place where it’s worth dragging yourself away from the beach.

Spanish courses in the Dominican Republic

9. Puerto Rico image

A blend of Caribbean insouciance and American efficiency, Puerto Rico is a multi-faceted and colourful island in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, just east of the Dominican Republic. It is also a great place to soak up Latin history, its capital, San Juan, being one of the oldest and best preserved colonial cities of the Americas. Away from the bustle of its cities, it is a true island paradise of rugged mountains, unexplored coastline, traditional hill towns and warm turquoise waters. Immerse yourself or get away from it all – or, best of all, do both.

Spanish courses in Puerto Rico

10. Hong Kong image

Best known for its role as a bustling multi-cultural city, Hong Kong is more than neon signs, crowded streets and noisy street food kiosks. Although all these things make it the vibrant and energetic place that is, you only have to venture outside the city to breathe fresh mountain air or walk barefoot along a sandy beach. One of the joys of being a small island is that all this is within easy reach of the busy centre, so you can indulge in the madness of Hong Kong city safe in the knowledge that a peaceful weekend escape is right on your doorstep. Aah.

Chinese Mandarin courses in Hong Kong

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

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