Foreign language courses – what to expect from your classes

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1. Language learning activities

The teacher will ask you at times to take part in role plays, dialogues, and similar activities so that you have practice in communicating in the language. Practising ‘real life situations’ in class is one way of making the language as real as possible. It is also important in such situations to vary who you talk to in the class. This way, you have experience with a variety of different people with different speaking abilities … and you get to know everybody!

2. Correcting mistakes

Many learners are reluctant to speak for fear of making mistakes.  It is far better to speak a lot, mistakes and all, than to utter the odd, grammatically correct sentence – in other words, develop a ‘have-a-go’ attitude and try not to get embarrassed about making mistakes – it’s part of the process!

You want your teacher to make sure that your production (spoken or written) is correct, and so correction is important. However, in speaking activities, it is not possible for the teacher to address every single mistake made by every single student, and so therefore he/she will probably choose to correct mainly the most serious mistakes (those that hinder communication) – sometimes straight away, and sometimes soon after.

If your teacher has not corrected you, ask him or her to do so.  They might not be able to do so there and then, but it is important for you to make sure that what you have written or said is right.

3. Homework

The homework is a very important part of your language learning experience, as it enables you to review and practise what you’re learning, helping to keep it fresh from lesson to lesson.  Different teachers give different types of homework – sometimes written homework that you do at home to cover aspects that would otherwise take out valuable communication practice time in class, or sometimes to expand on what you have done in class. By and large, the homework covers the ‘individual learning’ aspects of the course, and you should do as much as you can every week – and even be proactive in doing extra work.

4. The pace of the class

The pace depends on the balance of two things – firstly, the presentation of new material, and secondly, the time spent practising and perfecting this.  The teacher will spend the time they believe is necessary on each new piece of language – but – it is important to remember that it is not necessary to be absolutely perfect in one area before moving on to another.

On the other hand, going at a good, fast rate does not necessarily mean that the learning is efficient.  You risk not having enough time to internalise the lesson, which means you will forget a lot.

The aim is to become competent in communication without slowing down the process by focusing on minute detail, nor by going too fast and therefore not being able to remember anything.

5. The balance of activities

There needs to be a good balance between teacher input and student practice.  Some sessions require more teacher input, others opportunities for greater practice.  We ask the teachers to consider the balance between listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar skills – BUT to concentrate more on listening/speaking skills during class time and leave more complicated grammar exercises, reading and writing for homework.

6. The use of English in the classroom

Sometimes it can be difficult to convince new students of the need to resist speaking English in class, and to accept the fact that the teacher will mainly – or only – speak in the language you are learning.

There are some important points to keep in mind here:

• With practice, your ears will become attuned to hearing the language (and without practice, they won’t).

• Do not expect to understand everything, but it is important to develop the skills of understanding the gist of a conversation.

• It is very important to develop some self-discipline – if English is allowed, you, the student, will use it as soon as you experience a problem.  By contrast, if you forbid English, you will learn how to communicate to the maximum with the language you do have – and will learn more language while doing so. You will end up speaking a lot more of the language quicker, and will be surprised at how well you get on!

• Of course, if you are a beginner, you won’t have much to play with.  Even so, make sure that you accept that the teacher is going to speak in the language, and that you are expected to do so as well.

• Make sure you learn survival phrases in the language such as : ‘How do you say that in X’, ‘What does this mean?’, ‘Please speak more slowly’, ‘I didn’t understand’, ‘Sorry I’m late’. Never say them in English!

• And – last but not least – if you are lost – tell the teacher.  Sometimes the teacher will just have to take time out to explain in English.

7. Coursebooks and other materials

You receive a textbook with your course, and the teacher supplements this with other worksheets, or brings in real-life materials (you also can bring in things of interest to the class).  Though few off-the-shelf textbooks are ideally suited to 20 to 30 hour courses, it remains useful to have a key coursebook as the backbone for the course.

But – remember – the classes should be driven by the needs of the students, not the course book, which can be used as a flexible resource.  After all, it can become boring and predictable working your way through a book, even though some people find this comforting.

8. Learning and teaching styles : Feeling Comfortable Versus Feeling Challenged

There are quite a few different theories on the best way to teach and learn a language, and different people do it in different ways. More often than not they do not have any particular theory in mind.  Different learning styles depend on your personality and how you have learnt – or mis-learnt – languages in the past – or even if you have learnt another language before. What you do in class may or may not fit in with your expectations.

It is good to have your learning preferences challenged and to get used to different approaches to the learning process, but it is also fair to expect a certain amount of adaptation to you.

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

What are Cactus’ most popular Italian course destinations?

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1. Florence

One of Italy’s most attractive and historic cities, it’s easy to see why Florence is such a popular destination amongst Italian learners. Boasting such fascinating sights and attractions as the Duomo, the Uffizi and of course the Ponte Vecchio, Florence is one of the most visited destinations in Italy, so it’s inevitable that you’ll be surrounded by other foreigners – that said, taking an Italian course is one of the best ways to really get ‘under the skin’ of a city. It enables you to meet native Italian speakers, to get an authentic insight into Italian culture, and to experience more than the usual tourist sights.  In tourist hubs like Florence, it also enables you to get great accommodation at a much more affordable price than normal!

There are a range of Italian courses on offer in Florence, including General Italian, Individual Italian, Intensive Italian, Italian and Culture, Italian & Gastronomy and City & Beach Italian (which encompasses a week’s lessons on the island of Elba).

2. Bologna

Situated in the region of Emilia Romagna, in the north of Italy, Bologna is a city that is sometimes overlooked in favour of more mainstream tourist destinations – something which in fact just adds to the appeal! It’s often referred to as ‘la rossa, la dotta, la grassa’ (red, educated and fat) and this trio of adjectives sums the city’s best-loved attributes up perfectly – the pretty red brick buildings, the prestigious university and what is widely regarded to be the finest food in Italy…whether you eat in local restaurants or with your host family, you won’t be disappointed with the offerings.

Students have a wide range of Italian courses to choose from in Bologna, including General, Individual, Combined, Mini-group Italian, along with the more specialist Italian & Cooking.

3. Romeimage

Italy’s grand capital was always going to feature in the top five, and rightly so… students who take Italian courses in Rome will quite simply never run out of things to see and do in their free time. There are beautiful and historic sights to see around every corner, and endless bars, cafes and restaurants where you can sit and watch the bustling city in action. Whilst the Rome of today is as modern and hectic and most European capital cities, taking a course there will certainly give you a glimpse of the Italy we’ve seen on film screens around the world for decades…

Italian courses on offer in Rome currently include General, Individual, Combined, Intensive and Business Italian. Also on offer are Young at Heart Italian, Italian and Culture, Italian & Theatre and Italian & Cooking. 

4. Sorrento/Venice image

Joint fourth in the popularity stakes were Sorrento and Venice – two age-old favourites with foreign and domestic visitors alike. Both are iconic locations with plenty to offer, despite being located at opposite ends of the country. Sorrento lies in Campania, in the rustic south of the country and on the stunning Amalfi coast, whereas Venice is situated in the very north east corner in the affluent Veneto region. Whilst Venice is a fantastic choice for anyone who likes art and history in particular, Sorrento is a great option for anyone who enjoys the sunshine, the seaside and beautiful landscapes.

Italian courses available in Venice and Sorrento include General, Individual and Combined. Also on offer in Sorrento is Intensive Italian, Exam Preparation Italian and even an Italian & Singing course! 

5. Siena image

This small Tuscan city is often cited as one of the most attractive in Italy. The historic centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and twice a year plays host to the famous Siena Palio, an inter-neighbourhood horse race that dates back centuries.  Siena is a lovely place to learn Italian, with a very Tuscan feel, plenty of history to explore and a conveniently modest size which makes most things accessible on foot. It’s no wonder it remains a popular year-round destination.

Courses in Siena currently include General, Intensive, Individual and Combined Italian, as well as Italian & Culture and Italian & Cookery. 

Why should anybody bother to learn a language in the current economic climate?

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There is a recession on and the outlook is truly bleak:  the June 2011 jobs market seems to be hitting an all time low with young people unable to find their first employment and a high percentage of people are out of work. Despite what the Chancellor said in the Today programme on June 6th, it doesn’t really look like there will be an improvement in the economic outlook any time soon.

So it certainly doesn’t seem to make sense for people to splash out any little stash of cash they may have on language classes!

And yet, a careful trawl around the internet brings up various languages-related curiosities which together sow seeds of hope. 

The Languages Company, provides on its informative website an overview of the progress made in language learning strategy between 2002 and 2010 and a perspective on the future.  According to the Languages Company the government continues to believe in the value of foreign languages, both at Primary and at Secondary, and despite withdrawal of funding to worthy languages-based organisations and institutions, such as CILT and Links into Languages, the Department for Education continues to support the learning of languages, in its English baccalaureate, for example.

The English baccalaureate, admittedly not a real qualification at all but a way to measure qualifications that students do have, has a foreign language as one of its 5 recommended ‘core academic’ subjects.  If languages are not worthwhile, why would ‘one foreign language’ be on this list?

The launch of a new online resource centre for language teachers and learners, Linguanet Worldwide, a project funded with support from the European Commission education and training Lifelong Learning Programme, is a reflection of the priority given to language learning by those at the centre of Europe, where languages are thriving.

The London Language Show programmed for October 2011 has a very impressive list of exhibitors and promises to be the place to go to see all the organisations involved in any way with language teaching and learning, including language tasters and seminars. 

Another resource which is great for teachers is the LinkedUp section of Linked in, which shares all the project resources from the Links into Languages LinkedUp Award Scheme, in the form of a series of free downloadable resources for teachers of primary, secondary, and post-16 languages.

The ALL (Association for Language Learning) annual conference, Language World 2011, promises to be an opportunity to ‘celebrate language learning’ in July this year. For the first time, the conference is being held in London, and despite the exorbitant conference fees (£440 for non-members!!) the exhibitor list is impressive and attendance may be high.

ALL also supports the current Secondary curriculum, which is due to be replaced in September 2014 when the results of the Curriculum review, which began in November 2010, are made public. It is not yet clear whether the new Curriculum will give language learning higher priority than now. In 2004, the government took language learning off the list of compulsory school subjects (except for age 11-14) and the number of foreign language examination candidates has been declining at all levels ever since.

As a result of this decline in language learning, in February 2011 Mike Kelly of Southampton University and others set up the Speak to the Future campaign, in order to raise the profile of language learning in this age of globalization by lobbying politicians and policy-makers towards change and thus improve educational and career opportunities for young people.

Mike Kelly has also co-written the European Profile for Language Teacher Education, a framework for foreign language teacher training.

The information contained in this summary is not joined up in any way and makes little sense in the current climate. But the fact that there is so little priority given to language learning at the moment gives me the feeling that this is a lull before a storm.  Already, anxiety is being expressed by members of the European parliament that so few graduates with languages are available. According to the BBC at the beginning of May, it is simply not possible to find suitably qualified applicants for the positions available where languages are necessary. The new English Baccalaureate is making schools think again and could cause them to reintroduce languages at primary and secondary level.  The scramble for language teachers to start in the Autumn has already begun. Meanwhile, there is a perceived lack of skilled language speakers, and I feel that sometime fairly soon, knowing a foreign language will put job seekers at the very top of the pile.

Cactus offers foreign language evening courses in a variety of locations across the UK, language courses abroad in a range of destinations worldwide and tailor-made language training for companies and individuals.

Who takes foreign language courses abroad?

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People who take foreign language courses abroad come from all sorts of backgrounds, age groups and countries, and have all different reasons for enrolling. Generally speaking though, people who take language courses in a foreign country tend to be open-minded, friendly and keen for new experiences.

To a certain extent, the kind of people that a school attracts depends on its location and on the type of courses on offer. For example, schools in lively resort towns such as Biarritz (France) and Malaga (Spain) often attract a younger crowd who want to benefit from the nightlife, whereas schools in more tranquil or cultural locations, such as Dresden (Germany) or Verona (Italy), appeal to a different demographic.

Equally, schools which specialise in exam-preparation or business language courses might attract a more ‘serious’ student whose main purpose is to study hard and immerse themselves in the language. On the other hand, schools offering mainly general language courses, or courses coupled with sporting or cultural activities, may have a more laid-back atmosphere and therefore attract students who attach equal importance to learning and to having a good time and meeting new people.

Anyone with a specific preference for the type of school they’d like to attend can speak to one of our team for location advice – we regularly visit our partner schools to get an accurate idea of what they offer and the kind of students that they tend to attract.

Whilst some schools arrange ‘closed-group’ courses for groups who want to learn together – often school group classes – the majority of people who take language courses abroad are on their own, or with a friend or partner. Usually, classes consist of a mix of nationalities too – this is primarily to ensure that the target language is always spoken in class…with monolingual groups, it can be very tempting for students to communicate in their native language!

The atmosphere in language schools is usually very friendly and welcoming, and it’s very easy to make friends. Although students are obviously there to learn or revise the language, schools make every effort to teach them about the local culture and traditions too, which is why local excursions and activities are arranged for outside of class time.

Courses are available at a variety of levels (from beginner to advanced) and can be booked for however long you wish. Obviously, students who need to become proficient in the language for a specific purpose, whether for business, for personal reasons, or for university study, tend to stay longer than students who are there more for recreational reasons, but generally you can book anything from 1-52 weeks of study.

For full listings of languages, courses, destinations and prices please visit the Cactus Language website. Alternatively, feel free to call and speak to one of our experienced advisors on:

UK

0845 130 4775 (local rate)

+44 (0)1273 725200 (international)

US

(+1) 212-601-9343

Toll-free: 1-888-577-8451

Congratulations to our language course winners!

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Phil and Aurora completed their end-of-course questionnaires after their respective evening language courses (Phil in London and Aurora in Toronto) and each win their next language course free of charge, courtesy of Cactus. Congratulations to you both.

To be in with a chance of winning a course near you, all you need to do is sign up for a language course in the UK or the US/Canada and complete your end-of-course questionnaire.

Students signed up to the next course term can win their course fees back simply by sending in their feedback questionnaire. The most constructive feedback will win!

So please continue to send us your feedback, as this is invaluable in helping us to improve our service to you and making your language courses as rewarding and as enjoyable as possible.

Feedback from Phil: Italian Level 1 at London Bridge, UK

“I really enjoyed my teacher’s style of teaching. She made the class very enjoyable. I have made progress and got enough from the class that was required for personal use. I would recommend Cactus to others for good value for money and a wonderful Italian teacher!”

Feedback from Aurora: Portuguese Level 1 in Toronto, Canada

“I enjoyed the instructor of the course, as she was very personable, and the smaller size of the class with regards to students. I have a greater knowledge of the vocabulary and its use than prior to attending the class.”

Cactus runs a variety of evening, daytime and weekend language courses in 41 locations across the UK and 6 locations across the US and Canada.

10 reasons to visit Colombia

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In the past it has sometimes been in the limelight for the wrong reasons, but these days its tourist industry is thriving, and rightly so.

Here are ten great reasons to take a Spanish course in this amazing country.

1. ‘High-quality’ Spanish and friendly people

Colombia is said to have one of the highest standards of Spanish in all the Latin-American countries. It is therefore unlikely to throw up too many problems when it comes to comprehension, as might be experienced in countries where the Spanish spoken has a very different accent, or lots of ‘local’ words and phrases. It is also home to some of the friendliest people in the Spanish-speaking world, who will do their utmost to make you feel at home.

2. Superb festivals and carnivals

Colombia has a lot of carnivals and festivals that celebrate the country’s unique culture: the Carnival of Barranquilla, declared a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, Black and White People Carnival in Pasto, The International Coffee Queen Festival, Wayuu Festival, and The International Festival of Colombian Plains are just a few to mention.

3. Great coffee

Colombia has the best mild coffee in the world. If you’re an especially avid coffee-drinker, you can actually visit coffee farms in the country’s coffee region to see how they make this famous export!

4. La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

In the north of the country lies the La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It’s the highest snowcapped range close to the sea in the world, peaking at 5.575 metres above sea level, and is home to The Lost City, built by Tayronas hundreds of years ago.

5. Varied geography and climate

Speaking of mountains, Colombia is also one of the countries where the Andes Mountains begin. For this reason, the country has a very varied geography and climate. It has beautiful Andean forests and plateaus, volcanoes and snowcapped mountains, deserts, vast plains and the Amazon jungle in the south.

6. The Guajira Peninsula

The Guajira peninsula at the northern end of South America has a very unique landscape in that the desert and sea are side by side. This part of the country is inhabited by the Wayuu people, one of Colombia’s largest ethnic groups, but is also famous for the flamingos that live there. 

7. Biodiversity

Colombia is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. It has 1.865 bird species, 471 mammal species, 715 amphibious species, 524 reptile species, 1.357 freshwater fish species, 3.019 kinds of diurnal butterflies, 41.000 sorted plant species out of 250.000 presently known. In addition, it has some stunning natural parks like the Snowcapped Mountains Park, Purace Park, and Malpelo Island, a flora and fauna sanctuary, Tayrona Park, the Archeological Park of San Agustín, Archeological Park of Tierradentro, Cocuy Park, and El Tuparro Park in the Colombian jungle.

8. Attractive colonial towns

The country has several colonial towns with very attractive architecture, including Mompós, Popayan, Barichara and Villa de Leyva, as well as Cartagena with its International Film Festival and Hay Festival of literature.

9. Beaches and islands

Colombia has two Oceans lapping at its shores – the Atlantic and Pacific, which gives it some truly spectacular coastline and beaches. There are also some really beautiful islands that you can take a boat to, including San Andrés y Providence, Gorgona, Malpelo and Rosario islands.

10. A fantastic capital city – Bogota

Colombia’s capital, Bogota, is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in South America. It offers theatres, restaurants and bars a-plenty and has a huge range of other places to visit in your free time, including museums, parks and some amazing cathedrals and churches. Every two years, it also hosts the biggest theatre festival outside of Edinburgh…

Cactus offers a range of Spanish, and Spanish and activity courses, in Bogota, Cartagena, Leticia and Medellin

Wanderlust - June 2011

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This double-page spread in Wanderlust, the UK’s leading adventure travel magazine, takes a look at holidays where you can learn a skill.  Jessica Macias, one of Cactus’ recent Portuguese students, talks about her experiences of visiting Brazil and learning the language on location.  She gives an in-depth account of her experiences and her love of the country and culture: “I found Cactus Language online. I talked to them on the phone and tried out a weekend course. I was happy with the way it was organised so decided to go with them. In Rio I was welcomed by the family I would be staying with.  I expected the stereotype of ‘very warm Brazilians’ and I wasn’t let down!  the lady of the house was charming; she talked with me every morning and evening, and took me out at the weekends – to the local restaurant and to the beach on Sundays, which is what the whole of Rio seems to do.  I really felt part of the life there, it was wonderful.

“The classes started at 8.30am so I had to face rush-hour traffic, which felt very Brazilian. On the first day of school we took an exam, which placed us at the right level.  The next day, the lessons got serious!  At first, there were only two of us in our class so it was very intensive.  We’d be chatting in Portuguese the whole time – complete immersion.  We changed teachers every day to experience different accents and different methods, If you signed up for an extra lesson, you’d come back after lunch for two hours of teaching or and excursions – to the American football stadium, to museums, to the Corcovado.  Because the people in our group were quite good at the grammar, we were able to do more interesting stuff such as reading articles from magazines and talking about current events; in one lesson we talked about literature, music and film.  It was really good fun and tailored to your needs.  Everybody in that class really wanted to learn Portuguese, especially because people don’t speak English in Brazil so it’s really the only way to communicate with the locals…. The language is just so beautiful.  I feel richer culturally – it was such a wonderful experience.”

Study Travel Magazine - June 2011

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This article in Study Travel Magazine covers the most desirable destinations in the UK for foreign students.  Stephanie Bon, English Product Manager at Cactus, comments: “For Cactus, London is definitely the most popular, followed by Nottingham and Liverpool.  Nottingham is a very unique destination that you rarely see in agents’ portfolios, so students like the idea that it is different as well as inexpensive.  Liverpool’s obvious pull is everything Beatles-related, and it also offers very good value for money both in terms of tuition fees and cost of life.  Brighton is also very popular for our students, especially in the summer, and its cosmopolitan vibe makes it an exciting place.”

The Ledger.com - June 2011

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The study of foreign languages is so associated with travel that I’m amazed I had not earlier heard of Cactus Language Training (https://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com).

The website collects dozens upon dozens of language-learning courses—from one-on-one lessons to groups to schools all across the world—30 languages in 500 destinations spread throughout 60 countries. And the price for instruction is entirely reasonable, although costs vary sharply according to the language, place and school or course you choose.

20 essential holiday phrases in German

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Hello Hallo
Goodbye Auf Wiedersehen/ Tschüss (informal)
Please Bitte
Thank you Danke
Yes Ja
No Nein
Excuse me/sorry Entschuldigung
My name is… Ich heisse

What is your name? Wie heissen Sie?
Nice to meet you Schön Sie kennenzulernen
Where do you come from? Woher kommen Sie?
I come from Great Britain/America Ich komme aus Grossbritannien/Amerika
How are you? Wie geht es Ihnen?
Where is…? Wo ist…?
I would like (2 bottles of water) Ich möchte (zwei Flaschen Wasser)
How much is that? Wieviel kostet das?
How do I get to…? Wie komme ich zum (m/n)/zur(f)…?
I don’t understand Ich vestehe nicht
I’m sorry, I don’t speak German Es tut mir leid, ich spreche kein Deutsch
Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch?