Top 10 things to do in Aix en Provence

Here are our recommendations for the top 10 things to see and do in the city.

1. Visit the Atelier Cézanne

One of Aix en Provence’s top attractions is the preserved studio of Paul Cézanne, the post-impressionist painter who is widely regarded as one of France’s all-time best. Visitors can see the place that became his shelter and place of work, and from where he painted some of his finest pictures.

2. Take a stroll on the Cours Mirabeau

Walking along Aix en Provence’s Cours Mirabeau you’ll feel like you’re in one of Paris’ tree-lined boulevards. It’s located right in the centre of Aix and is full of bookshops, restaurants and cafes where you can watch the world go by.

3. Climb (or at least go and see!) Le Montagne Sainte Victoire

This mountain was a popular feature in Cezanne’s paintings, and also appeared in the works of Picasso and Kandinsky. Its highest point is the ‘Pic des mouches’ at 1,011 metres, although the Croix de Provence is perhaps a more notable feature of the mountain.

4. Visit the Cathedrale Saint Sauveur

Aix’s Cathedrale Saint Sauveur is a Roman Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Aix. It’s a beautiful cathedral that features a real mix of architectural styles and has been categorised by the French as a national treasure. The recently restored painting by Nicolas Fromen ‘The Burning Bush’ within it is a real masterpiece and worth a look in its own right.

5. Have a look around the Granet Museum

Reopened in 2007, the Granet Museum hosts an impressive collection of over 12.000 works of art. It includes paintings by the likes Granet, Cézanne, Ingres, Preti, Puget, Rembrandt, Rigaud and Rubens and also has an extensive collection of sculptures, works by local artists and archaeological objects. The Granet Museum was named “Musée de France” in 2002.

6. Browse Aix’s famous markets

One of Aix’s most famous features is its array of markets. The main market by the Palais de Justice sells fresh produce and food and bric-à-brac. There’s also an impressive flower market on the Place de Verdun and Place des Prêcheurs, a clothing market on the Cours Mirabeau and last but certainly not least, a sublime daily food market on the Place Richelme. All are well worth a visit and will indulge your image of Provence at its traditional best!

7. Take a day trip to nearby Cassis

Located 35km from Aix-en-Provence is the ancient fishing port of Cassis. It has pretty old village streets and some lovely old buildings, some of which date back to the 16th century. You can walk around the attractive harbour, take a look at the open air artists market, or head to one of the sandy beaches just outside the town.

8. Visit ‘Les Deux Garçons’ café

One of Aix-en-Provence’s best-loved and most iconic cafés, ‘Les Deux Garçons’ was where Cézanne enjoyed his coffee and newspaper. Founded in 1792, the café on Cours Mirabeau will transport you back in time and give you a good idea of how the Aix of centuries gone by would have looked. The gilt-and-muraled interior is original, so be sure to take a look.

9. Go to the Sextius Baths

Located in the northwest corner of the town, along the Bvd Jean Jaurès, the “Thermes Sextius” are 18th-century hot-water baths set in a large tree-shaded park, close to the site of the original Roman baths. Today the baths feature a modern spa, which is perfect for getting rid of the everyday stresses and strains of life.

10. Check out Aix’s beautiful fountains by night

Another of Aix’s most notable features is the range of decorative fountains found throughout the city. The Cours Mirabeau has some of the finest, including the great fountain (1860) at La Rotonde in the Place Général de Gaulle at the bottom end of the “cours” and le Fountain of 9 Cannons (1691), half way up. They are impressive at any time of day, but especially when they’re lit up after dark.



Cactus offers General, Intensive, Combined, Individual and Business French courses in Aix en Provence at a variety of levels
. Also available are French & Painting, French & Oenology and French & Provençal cookery courses.

Bastille Day: The best places to celebrate La Fête Nationale on 14th July in France

FRENCH / EN FRANCAIS

Le 14 juillet est le jour de la fête républicaine française symbolisant la Liberté et l’Egalité, et commémorant le passage de la monarchie à la République.

Histoire:

A Paris, le mardi 14 juillet 1789, des émeutiers prennent d’assaut la prison de la Bastille qui est le symbole du pouvoir absolutiste. Leur objectif est de s’emparer des armes pour pouvoir affronter les troupes du Roi. Ce jour marque le début de la Révolution française, la constitution de nouvelles règles de fonctionnement et l’instauration de nouvelles valeurs, définies dans la Déclaration des droits de l’homme. Comme ce jour a été très sanglant pour le peuple français, c’est le jour de la Fédération du 14 juillet 1790 qui est officiellement célébré, et non pas la prise de la Bastille.

Jour de fête nationale: feux, bals et défilés

Partout en France et pour tous c’est jour de fête nationale. De somptueux défilés militaires sont organisés, avec défilés motorisés, aériens et à pied, sauts de parachutistes et fanfares militaires. D’innombrables feux d’artifice sont tirés les 13 et 14 juillet, et des bals populaires et des concerts animent les villes en effervescence jusqu’au bout de la nuit ! Chaque année, flonflons, pétards, cocardes tricolores, danse et musette accompagnent l’ambiance festive, bon enfant et féérique du 14 juillet. C’est une expérience unique à vivre !

Voici 3 des villes qui offrent un spectacle fabuleux à cette occasion:

Paris:

La plus importante parade militaire se déroule à Paris. Les principaux corps d’armées sont présents, et les militaires défilent en grande tenue sous les yeux du président de la république et de la foule. Brandissant fièrement le drapeau de la nation, le cortège descend le long des Champs Elysées, de la Place de l’Étoile jusqu’à la Concorde.

L’impressionnant feu d’artifice de Paris est un de ceux qui nécessitent le plus de moyens financiers et humains en France. Tiré au pied de la tour Eiffel, on peut l’admirer depuis le Champ de Mars ou la Place du Trocadéro.

Lyon:

Un bal des pompiers est généralement organisé dans toutes les villes de France. A Lyon, pour 2010, les sapeurs pompiers de Gerland transformeront leur caserne en un club géant, avec une plage de sable à l’extérieur. Sur la Place de la Croix Rousse, une véritable station balnéaire prendra place, où danse, musique, transats, boissons et pétanque seront au programme. Sur les quais de Saône, 3 scènes différentes constitueront le grand bal populaire. Le feu d’artifice grandiose de Lyon partira depuis la colline de Fourvière.

Carcassonne, à une heure de Toulouse:

Chaque année, un exceptionnel et époustouflant feu d’artifice de renommée internationale embrase les légendaires remparts de la cité médiévale. Pendant 25 minutes, plus de 700 000 personnes assistent à ce spectacle inouï de lumières et de couleurs qui enflamment le ciel. C’est un des meilleurs feux d’artifices au monde !

ENGLISH / EN ANGLAIS

On the 14th of July, French Republican day is celebrated to commemorate the transition from the monarchy to the First Republic, and to symbolize la Liberté et l’Egalité (Liberty and Equality) won by the people.

History:

In Paris, on Tuesday, the 14th of July 1789, rioters stormed the prison of Bastille, a symbol of the absolutist power. Their objective was to take possession of the weapons to be able to face the King’s troops. This day marked the beginning of the French Revolution, the constitution of new rules of functioning, and the establishment of new values defined in the Déclaration des droits de l’homme (Human rights statement). Given that this day was very bloody for the French people, we officially celebrate the 14 July 1790 Fête de la Fédération, and not the storming of the Bastille.

Bastille Day: pyrotechnics, balls and parades

Everywhere in France and for everyone, this is a national day of celebration. Sumptuous march-pasts are organized with flypasts, motorised and walking parades, parachute jumps and military bands. There are many firework displays on 13th and 14th July, and cities across France celebrate with balls and concerts throughout the night! Every year, brass bands, firecrackers, dance and accordion music go with the festive, friendly and enchanting atmosphere of the Bastille Day. It is a unique event to experience!

Here are 3 cities offering a fabulous show for this occasion:

Paris:

The greatest march-past takes place in Paris. The main army corps are present, and impeccably uniformed servicemen parade before both the President of the Republic and the crowd. Whilst proudly brandishing the national flag, the procession goes down Les Champs Elysées, from La Place de l’Etoile to La Concorde. The impressive fireworks display of Paris requires the utmost financial and human resources. Fired at the bottom of the Eiffel tower, it can be watched from Le Champ de Mars or La Place du Trocadéro.

Lyon:

A Firemen’s ball (Bal des pompiers) is generally organised in every French town. In Lyon, for 2010, the fire-fighters of Gerland will turn their fire station into a giant club, with a sandy beach outside. On La Place de la Croix Rousse, a real seaside resort will take place, where dance, music, deckchairs, drinks and petanque are planned. On the quays at Saône, 3 different stages will host the big popular ball. The spectacular fireworks of Lyon will be fired from the Fourvière Hill.

Carcassonne, only one hour from Toulouse:

Every year, an outstanding fireworks display, well-known all over the world, sets ablaze the ancient ramparts of the medieval city. For 25 minutes, more than 700,000 people attend this extraordinary show of lights and colors setting fire to the sky. This is one of the best firework displays in the world!

If you can time your visit to France to coincide with 14th July, you will be treated to one of the best celebrations in the French calendar. Experience it from the inside by taking a language course in France; Cactus offers French courses in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse, as well as many other fantastic locations across the country.

Alternatively, why not take a language course to brush up on your French before you go? Daytime, evening and weekend French courses are available in the UK, and weekend and evening courses in the US and Canada.

Learn Spanish in Honduras and visit Roatan – one of National Geographic’s “must-see” places

The places selected all boast dramatic landscapes, and include Glacier National Park in Alaska, the Azores in Portugal and Patagonia. Roatan is the ninth recommendation, and arguably one of the least well-known places in the list.

The island is the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands and is only about 50km long. It’s located close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, and has become an important destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. It’s also got plenty to keep non-divers interested, with botanical gardens, butterfly and iguana farms, and a wealth of white sand beaches fringed with palm trees and bright turquoise waters.

Although Cactus doesn’t offer Spanish courses in Roatan itself, we do work with a partner school La Ceiba, the closest city on the mainland to the island. There are good transport links to Roatan from La Ceiba, which has earned the title of Honduras’ ecotourism and entertainment capital, and which actually boasts many of the same features as Roatan, including top-class diving, and beautiful natural scenery.

There are a variety of courses offered in Le Ceiba, ranging from Individual Spanish to Spanish and Diving and Spanish and Ecotourism. For full details or to book please visit the Cactus Language website.

See the full list of National Geographic recommendations

IATEFL 2011 - a report from our Cactus to Conference scholarship winner

I applied for the Cactus IATEFL scholarship for two reasons: I am a newly-qualified teacher looking to develop the skills I already have and to prevent myself becoming an island in a big teaching world.

In the introductory speech, IATEFL president Herbert Puchta proclaimed that “this is going to be a fantastic conference!” His words were heart-warming – he not only seemed to be talking about the programme but also about the amount and range of people who had come to the IATEFL conference. I looked around me – in front of me I could hear Dutch, French and Italian being spoken, to my right Japanese and to my left: Russian. These were all teachers of English! This was my second day at IATEFL as I had already attended a SIG (Special Interest Group) event the day before and it was just beginning to dawn on me how much there was to do and to see: the choice is overwhelming particularly if you are a first-time conference visitor.

I met up with colleagues later to discuss our choices of sessions and workshops. A useful lesson is to ‘keep it relevant’ I found out. I made decisions about what I wanted to do and see that I felt would be useful to my development now or in the next year.But relevant to what exactly? My own school – a Dutch Montessori secondary school with a creative profile – is there another school like it in the whole world?), my professional development, the development of young people generally? I needn’t have worried – I was in the right place and easily filled the four day conference with plenaries, discussions, talks and workshops not to mention conversations with other teachers and student teachers that I met at IATEFL.

The Conference I planned for myself spanned, amongst other things; Child and teenage development (Sue Palmer), learning to learn (Bonnie Tsai) and Hyperlink Heroin (Jim Scrivener). I learnt how to present, how to analyse and talk about literature, how to teach thinking, how to approach my Master’s course, how to use Moodle for a range of different practices and to use and embed sound files.

The mood of the Conference was a positive, creative and happy one. Everyone who was there, wanted to be there – it was no small under-taking for some who had travelled a very long way. This became evident at the Scholar’s Tea on Saturday when we had the chance to meet other prize-winners and their sponsors. More than twenty countries were represented: it was a proud and happy moment and I was glad that Cactus had given me the opportunity to be a part of it.

Find out more on the Cactus to Conference IATEFL Scholarship

Why learn English in Leeds?

1. Lots of students and plenty of entertainment options

Home to two large universities, Leeds is a city with thousands of students, and plenty to keep them entertained. It is well-known for its range of restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas and theatres and is also one of the UK’s premier shopping destinations. It is also home to iconic cricket, football and rugby league grounds that house successful UK sports teams.

2. A multicultural and friendly atmosphere

Leeds is a real mix of ethnicities and cultures, and is therefore very welcoming of international students. It is often said that people in the north of England are especially friendly, and this certainly applies to the local population in Leeds. They are well-known for being ‘down to earth’ and will be happy to teach you about their customs and way of life.

3. A convenient location and good transport links

Equidistant from London and Edinburgh by train, Leeds provides students with a great base from which to explore the UK. It is also home to its own international airport, Leeds- Bradford, which serves a range of European cities as well as long-haul destinations like New York and Islamabad.

4. An affordable place to study

The northern part of of England is generally considered less expensive than the south, and Leeds is a perfect example of this. Students who learn English in Leeds will enjoy much more affordable housing and entertainment than those who choose study in southern cities such as London and Brighton.

5. Beautiful scenery within easy reach image

Leeds is located in West Yorkshire, and although the city itself is quite ‘urban’ in feel you only have to drive for 10 minutes to be out in the countryside – and not just any countryside. Yorkshire is regarded as one of the prettiest county’s in the UK and there are miles of rolling hills and valleys to explore.

Currently, Cactus offers a range of English courses in Leeds, including General English, Individual English, Intensive English, Business English and Exam Preparation English.

Learn Italian away from the tourist trail this year

Not only can Italy offer fantastic food, endlessly quaffable wines and some of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe, it is also home to a massively varied array of natural scenery. Whether it’s mountains, rolling hills or sandy beaches that you love, there’ll be a region to suit your tastes.

Whilst Rome, Florence and Venice have long topped the list for visitor numbers, there are plenty of other beautiful towns and cities to visit that will give you a fantastic insight into the real Italy. The great thing about these lesser-known places is that they aren’t as busy, they’re more affordable, and they’re perfect for practising your Italian.

Here’s a selection of some locations that tend to be missed off the international tourist trail.

1. Island of Elba

image

Located off the coast of Tuscany, 20 km from the coastal town of Piombino, Elba is the third largest island in Italy after Sicily and Sardinia. The island is probably most famous for being the place to which Napoleon was first exiled, albeit for a mere 300 days. There are certainly worse places to be exiled, though… the island boasts some stunning beaches, clear blue waters, and endless options for outdoor pursuits like mountain trekking and kayaking.

2. Orvieto

Orvieto is a medieval town in the region of Umbria that enjoys one of the most dramatic settings of any in Italy. imageIt perches high on a cliff in the middle of stunning Umbrian landscape, and shows off its magnificent gothic cathedral for miles around. Other features of note are the labyrinth of caves and tunnels that lie beneath the town’s cobbled streets, the Etruscan ruins that sit within the city, and the remnants of a wall that enclosed Orvieto more than 2000 years ago.

3. Tropea

A small, coastal town in the region of Calabria.image, Tropea is one of Italy’s real hidden gems. It has always been popular amongst Italian tourists, but remains relatively unknown internationally. It is home to some of the nicest beaches in Italy and is surrounded by shimmering blue waters that you simply wont be able to resist.

4. Viareggio

Viareggio is the southernmost Italian Riviera-style resort on Italy’s Mediterranean coast, and as such boasts the usual plethora of entertainment venues and eateries – in particular, seafood restaurants. It’s the largest beach town in Tuscany, but for a beach resort has the rare characteristic of being very rich in art, culture and history too. It’s also known for hosting one of Italy’s best carnevale. This really is a town with something for everyone.

5. Cagliari

Despite being the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari still appears to be somewhat overlooked by image foreign tourists. The city has an interesting history and there are certainly sites to see, but a lot of Calgliari’s charm lies in its pace of life, its laid back atmosphere and its (largely seafood inspired) cuisine. It is also home to some of the most breathtaking beaches and waters outside of the Caribbean…

10 reasons why summer language camps abroad are a great option for teenagers

Here are some great reasons to consider it as an option this year…

Progress and development

1. Tuition at language camps is provided by qualified, experienced, native-speaker teachers. As a result, the quality of teaching that students get is very high, and the effects all the more noticeable.

2. Language camps attract students from all over the world, which means that they have to use the local language every day in order to communicate with each other – this is great for practising what they have learnt in lessons.

3. The experience of living away from home in a foreign country will fill any student with a great sense of self-confidence and achievement, which will really help their personal development.

4. Spending a summer with students from other countries will mean that they can make friends from all over the world, and gain an all-important insight into other cultures.

5. Making foreign friends that they want to stay in touch with will give them an incentive to keep up their language skills!

Special considerations for young learners

6. Students are accommodated in safe, comfortable lodgings. They usually have the choice between on-site, supervised residences and carefully vetted host families.

7. Full in-country care is offered by the course provider, which means that students and parents can feel confident in the level of support provided.

8. The food offered to students is designed to be healthy and nutritional, and can be adapted for any special dietary needs that students may have.

9. Language camps vary in length, and you can choose to send your child for anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks, depending on how comfortable they feel being away from home.

Fun options for free time

10. A variety of interesting activity options and excursions to places of interest are included in the programme, which ensures that the students can relax and have fun, as well as learn…

Summer language camps are available in Spain/Costa Rica,/Mexico/Uruguay, France/Canada, Italy, Germany/Austria/Switzerland and China, and are generally available to students over the age of 10.

10 good reasons to learn French in Brest, Brittany

Here’s our run-down of the top ten:

1. Great value for money

The French courses on offer in Brest give students really good value for money. Brest is one of the less expensive French study destinations that we offer at Cactus – students are guaranteed the same quality of tuition and accommodation as in other towns and cities, but at a more affordable price.

2. Delicious local food and drink

As you might expect, Brest’s coastal location means that there is plenty of seafood on offer here, and that the locals know very well how to cook it. Other Breton specialities include crepes and galettes (buckwheat pancakes), and of course, good quality cider…

Brest has hundreds of restaurants and cafes to choose from where you can sample both local and international cuisine at its best.

3. Good nightlife

As a university city, Brest has thousands of students to cater for, and in this regard it won’t disappoint. Whether it’s bars, clubs, cafes, theatre or cinema that you’re after there’ll be options for you.

4. Interesting history

Located on France’s most western point, Brest has always been an important city in military terms. The advantages of Brest’s location were first recognised in the Middle Ages, when Cardinal Richelieu designated it a military harbour, and it soon became the base for the French navy. The town continued to grow over the centuries, and during the First World War Brest was used as a disembarking point for many of the American troops coming over. In World War II the Germans had a large submarine base at Brest, and in fact the city was completely destroyed during the Battle for Brest in 1944 after the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Whilst the war destroyed a lot of the city’s original buildings and areas, Brest has nevertheless maintained its naval prowess and these days is home to one of the French’s navy’s principal training centres.

Visitors to Brest can take a tour of the Musée de la Mer, which houses fascinating information on the history of Breton seafaring and the region’s proud naval history.

5. A good variety of accommodation options

Students who learn French in Brest have several accommodation options to choose from, ensuring that all tastes and requirements are catered for. Options include a renting a private apartment, staying in a student residence or lodging with a host family. Whilst renting an apartment ensures independence and a quiet living and studying environment, staying in a residence or host family means that you can meet local French people and practise your French outside of lessons as much as possible.

6. A lovely learning environment

The school in Brest is housed in a stunning 19th century manor, and is surrounded by two hectares of attractive grounds. The school specialises in teaching French to foreigners and works alongside prestigious Brest organisations including the university.The school building itself boasts a spacious library, a video library, a reading room and a multimedia centre, and use of the internet is free for all students.

The school is actually just outside Brest but there’s a really good bus connection between the city and the school and getting there is very easy.

7. Great beaches nearby image

One of Brittany’s most well-known attributes is its rugged coastline and array of beautiful sandy beaches. There are plenty to choose from near Brest, whether you want to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, surf, rock-pool or just take in the beautiful scenery.

8. Good transport connections

Brest has some great transport links to both the rest of the France, and Europe. The railway station is linked to Paris by TGV (the journey takes about 4 and a half hours) and has plenty of regional services too. Brest’s International airport offers services to a good range of domestic and international cities including Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, London, Birmingham, Southampton and Dublin and is served by Air France, Easyjet, Flybe, Jetairfly, Chalair and Ryanair. 

9. Lots of activities on offer

The school in Brest offers a variety of good activities for students to get involved in after their French lessons. Included in the type of things offered are coastal walks, sailing, workshops in gastronomy and oenology as well as organised evening trips to authentic Breton cafes and Irish pubs.

10. A good range of student nationalities

The school in Brest attracts students from a range of different countries, primarily in Europe. There’s always a good mix of student nationalities, which means that students have to speak French both during lessons and when socialising in the evenings and at weekends. This ensures that students have as much opportunity as possible to practise what they have learnt, and ultimately that they get the most out of their French stay as they can.

Currently, Cactus offers General, Individual and Combined French courses in Brest, at a variety of levels. For full course listings and to book please visit the Cactus Language website.

Cactus TEFL: Answering all your TEFL queries

The Cactus TEFL website contains lots of information about the different courses that are available, the different capacities in which you can teach EFL, and where in the world you can work. This information has been gathered from various sources over the years – from industry bodies, from partner schools and from teachers who have applied for a course through us and kept in touch after gaining a qualification.

All of the Cactus TEFL team have worked within the TEFL industry, and our former colleague Jenny Johnson – highly experienced and respected in the TEFL world – represented Cactus TEFL at regular TEFL Q&A sessions with The Guardian, which you can find links to below:

Live Q&A: A beginner’s guide to TEFL, Mar 23 2011

TEFL careers — A graduate guide, 21 July 2010

Teaching English Abroad, Oct 7 2009

We have chosen five of the most frequently asked questions to post below, but would encourage anyone with another TEFL-related question to leave us a comment below. One of our specialist advisers will get back to you with an answer or some advice.

1. What is the difference between TEFL, CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL?

TEFL is the name of the industry you would be working in – Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In order to gain access to this industry, there are two key qualifications which stand out as being quite special in their international recognition – the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults) and the Trinity College CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Both the CELTA and CertTESOL courses are types of TEFL courses.

2. Will a 2-day/online TEFL course give me a certificate in teaching EFL?

Courses such as these do award a certificate of completion. However, it is important to recognise that it is not the TEFL qualification that a lot of employers will require. When prospective employers ask, ‘have you got a TEFL certificate?’ what they are usually referring to is the Trinity Certificate TESOL, the Cambridge CELTA or a certificate gained from doing a course of equivalent length and value as these two.

The short courses, however, are ideal if you want a basic introduction to TEFL. If you are looking to teach on an informal basis, or if the kind of teaching that you are planning to do is voluntary or temporary, these courses are perfect. They are particularly beneficial to anyone who is looking to do a few months travelling, and perhaps pick up some casual work along the way.

There are some schools that will employ teachers permanently who have done a short or online course, but in Europe they tend to be smaller, locally-run schools or schools that are in locations slightly off the beaten track. In countries like China where there is a huge demand for teachers, it’s more common to be able to find work with a shorter course behind you – it’s sometimes more important in Asian countries for teachers to have a university degree than a four-week TEFL course certificate.

3. What are the requirements to get on a CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL course?

For native speakers of English, ideally you need to have the qualifications which would allow you to access a degree course – i.e. A-Levels or an equivalent. Having said that, certain schools may require you to hold a degree, whilst others will consider your application if you just have relevant life experience.

If you are a non native speaker, you will also need to be able to demonstrate your ability to use English to a very high standard – ideally you will need to hold something like Cambridge Advanced English (CAE), Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or IELTS level 7. If you don’t have an external qualification, the school will be able to test the level of your English, often by providing you with an additional language task to complete.

You need to be at least 18 years old, though some schools prefer you to be at least 20. There is no upper age limit for these courses.

4. Which countries have the most TEFL jobs?

You could, visa permitting, arrive anywhere your heart desires and offer your services as a TEFL teacher. Whether or not people wanted, or needed to learn English though, is another matter! In general, Asia tends to be the region with the most demand for English teachers – particularly China, Thailand and Vietnam.  The Middle East is another region where there are lots of jobs to be found, and also European countries like Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Russia is also a plentiful source of work, as is Australia, although the regulations and qualifications required there can be stringent. 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. The hardest places to find paid EFL work tend to be Africa and North America, where unless you have a green card it’s almost impossible to get work. Opportunities in the UK mainly exist within summer schools – competition for year-round TEFL jobs can be very high, and opportunities for paid ESOL work are now also relatively few and far between.

 

5. What happens if I’m a mature applicant? Can I still do the course/get work?

The impression given by the industry websites and many forums which discuss TEFL issues is that TEFL is an industry designed for the younger generation. There will of course be specific situations where schools will prefer younger staff, for example during summer residential programmes where students tend to be in their teens. There are also certain countries where you are unfortunately quite likely to encounter discrimination on account of your age.

However, if you are flexible and open-minded, and you’re not intent on earning a fortune, then TEFL is arguably more suited to more mature teachers. As far as employers are concerned your wealth of experience will probably mean that you are more at ease with groups and individuals from diverse walks of life, and you will better relate to, for example, the life issues that students face.

Also, a more senior teacher may have the business experience and knowledge which comes in very handy for a school’s company clients, who will not take too kindly to a very young teacher without much life experience.

www.cactustefl.com

Foreign language courses - tips for best progress

1.Invest in a good dictionary

Whilst we don’t generally recommend using a dictionary in class [you should always try to work out words from context first], they are certainly very helpful when it comes to homework. They also represent a worthwhile investment long-term, especially if you plan to go abroad to use your language skills. If you want advice on which dictionary to buy, your teacher should be able to give you some guidance.

2. Listen to the language as much as possible

Sooner or later you WILL be able to listen to the language and understand it immediately.  How do you reach that goal?

Spend a lot of time listening to the language, either by using the CDs that come with the text book, or buying them if they do not, or listening to the radio, or TV/CD/DVD/Video or the like, find things to listen to or watch on-line (you-tube is great!), listen to and learn songs, and so on.

Try to listen as much as possible WITHOUT referring to the written text.  The trap many students fall into is to assume that they have understood the spoken word simply because they have heard it while reading it. In reality, your eyes have understood it, not your ears.

Depending on your level, of course, you might not actually be able to understand everything you hear – the trick is to develop your ears to the point where they can hear the words they recognise without getting lost in the stream of sound. You need to get the gist of the speaking without necessarily understanding everything.  If other students in your class seem to understand when you can’t, most likely it is because they have learnt this trick.

The ideal scenario is to get to the point where you can listen to spoken language without reference to any written material. Train your ears to do this. Listen to passages again and again until you recognise every single word without referring to the written text.

3. Practise, practise, practise

Students can find it difficult to ‘get their words out’ for various reasons, feeling embarrassed or ‘silly’, not knowing what to say, mental block, stress, not concentrating, and so on.  In learning a language, generally the main reason is not that the student has not learnt the language yet, but because the language has not been learnt to the point of being able to ‘pop out’ at a moment’s notice.

Memory work and drilling is very important in language learning, particularly at the beginning stages.  This means that you as a student need to commit phrases, words, sentences, conversations, stories, songs, and whatever, to mind.  But – it is very important not to just simply learn by rote.  You need to put things into your mind that will come out of your mouth naturally in the context that they should come out.

It would be great if you could learn the words/phrases/sentences etc.  in their setting.  For example, you are learning Greek in Greece and you know you have to go to a Greek ‘taverna’.  Before you go, you would make sure you know the phrases, sentences and words you know you are likely to use, and you would practise them BEFORE GOING.  Well, you can do this in the classroom the same way! Pratise the language for the situation with your teacher and classmates (and at home in front of the mirror – you are your own worst critic) until they are more or less perfect.  Practise them within a role play in class, so that the sentences before and after also become natural.  This way you will not only impress people at the ‘taverna’ (real or imaginary!) – but also yourself.  Being successful is a real boost to confidence.

AND – if at first you don’t succeed, try again.  Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Repeat words, phrases, sentences and so on, on and on until they become natural. Remember, you can speak your own language so well because you have had years and years of practice – but if you listen to a baby learning how to speak, you realise how much practice you had to put in to get to where you are now – around three years as a baby, without taking into account the in-between years that you have spent refining and expanding your language!

Luckily, as an adult you have a head start on a baby – you can develop strategies so as be able to learn quickly.  When learning a new language, you need to squash all that practice into a much shorter period of time.  And repeating things continually until they become natural is one way of doing this. The more you do it, the more you will find that it is actually easy to speak in another language.

4. Complete your course in full

Learners experience many pressures which can cause them to drop out of their courses, which is a great pity. The temptation to drop out becomes particularly strong when two consecutive classes are missed. To help make sure that students who have had to miss a class or two can keep up, every class generally starts with a brief revision of the previous week’s work. The homework is also useful for this.

If you know you are going to miss a class – or if you have had to miss a class – let the teacher know and find out what you need to do to keep up to speed.  A bit of extra effort and you will soon catch up.

5. Build a support group

It’s a good idea to organise yourselves into ‘support groups’ of 3 or 4 students if possible. When one of you misses a class, the others can brief them on what happened, pass on any handouts and generally persuade each other to keep coming.

Get together in a local café, preferably one that has something to do with the language, invite along anyone you know who speaks the language, do you homework together, invite your teacher. You have joined a group class, so make use of it!

6. Bear in mind the ‘physical’ aspects of learning

One little-known effect on learning relates to physical aspects of being in a class. When we are stressed out, or embarrassed, or frustrated, then the brain apparently produces ‘stress hormones’ which act like a defence mechanism – slowing down all brain processes except those necessary for survival. This obviously means that teachers and students should be working together towards a relaxed and cooperative learning-teaching situation. Keeping calm, cool and collected is the key.

Also, language learning should be a ‘right-brain (global)’ to ‘left-brain (logical)’ process. It is most effective to learn language as a ‘whole’ experience, and then build up rules and logic from this. This type of learning promotes long-term learning, while learning ‘left-brain first’ [rules and grammar] produces short-term learning. We all learnt our first language from right to left, and this is why in memory problems such as amnesia and short-term memory loss, we never forget how to speak. But also it is important to have the complete cycle when learning – left brain without right brain doesn’t make for language learning, but right brain without left brain doesn’t, either.

In short:

For you to make the most of your language course, you need to keep the following in mind:

• People mostly learn a language in order to speak it : You need to spend a significant part of your course actually speaking and hearing the language.

• Grammar is essential for learning how to put sentences together – but there is no point knowing the language in your head, if you don’t practise getting it out of your mouth.

• Long grammar, reading and writing activities are better done at home, rather than in class, so that more time can be dedicated to practising conversation.

• The text book is written in the language you are learning – this is to help you learn much more incidental language than just the specific lesson.

• Get to know the language-learning jargon. Lessons should not be dependent on grammar, grammatical jargon and writing; many people have never studied ‘grammar’, and learning ‘proper’ grammar is not the same as learning to communicate.

Having said this, knowing the names of the parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.), is a good short-cut for those who know it, and if you don’t, a little bit of homework will get you up to speed – there is not actually that much to learn, and if you do it in context and as you go along, then things should go well. You can find a basic glossary of grammatical terms on the English Club website.

• Writing things down is important – but try not to fall into the trap of leaving it on the paper. You’ve got to put it in your head and into your mouth too

• And relax and get to know everyone! You will learn a lot quicker and have fun doing so.

7.Set mutual expectations

At the beginning of the course, set ‘mutual expectations’ with the teacher – something like the following.

What you can expect from the teacher:

• that he/she will come to classes well prepared and in plenty of time

• that he/she will try to make the class as interesting as possible, using a variety of activities

• that he/she will give weekly homework and appropriate feedback on all work handed in

• that he/she will listen to and welcome any suggestions for improvement.

• that he/she will help you to become a better language learner and – more importantly – user.

What the teacher would like to expect from you:

• that you will only speak the ‘target’ language in class

• that you keep him/her informed of how you think the course is going

• that you too take some responsibility for making the course a success; for example, homework is amazingly important.

• that if you miss classes, you will make the effort to catch up

• That if you do have to pull out of the course, you let him/her know the reasons why

The most important thing is – if you have issues with the class, discuss it with your teacher.  Teachers appreciate all feedback, positive and negative.  But it is important to do this in a respectful, trusting and constructive way. You need to trust your teacher, and your teacher needs to trust you.

And, ensure that you take every opportunity to speak in the language, and that the teacher does so as well. Take an interest in everything to do with the language – stimulated and interested students help the teacher to create a stimulating and interesting class.

Cactus offers a range of part-time language courses in locations around the UK, the US and Canada.