Learn German in Hamburg this May and enjoy the lively Hafengeburtstag celebrations

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The annual celebrations have become popular with inhabitants and tourists alike, and in the last few years they have attracted over a million visitors. If you can coincide your German course with them, you’re guaranteed a great insight into German culture.

The celebrations mark a significant date in Hamburg’s history – one which played an important role in Hamburg’s development into the huge port that it has become. On 7th May 1189 Frederick Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, is reputed to have put his seal to a letter which granted ships from Hamburg the right to sail along the river Elbe to the North Sea without having to pay customs duties. Consequently, 7th May 1189 is widely regarded as the day on which the port of Hamburg was founded.

An array of international ships, both old and new, large and small, will take part in the celebrations. The harbour will be filled with beautiful vessels to admire, and in some cases, board, and there will also be a number of displays both on the water and in the air for on-lookers to enjoy.

In addition, there will be hundreds of food and drinks stalls along the 3.5 kilometre ‘Hafenmeile’, as well as entertainment areas for live music acts, all of which you can enjoy free of charge!

Cactus offers a range of German courses in Hamburg, including General German, Individual German, Combined German, Intensive German and Business German. Classes are offered from beginner – advanced and accommodation can be arranged with a local host family, in a shared apartment or in a student residence.

Find out more on the Hamburg Harbour Birthday Festival

Endangered languages: a glimmer of hope

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Enduring Voices, run in conjunction with the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, aims to preserve endangered languages by identifying locations where languages are most at risk, and then documenting the languages and cultures within them. These locations comprise those that harbour the planet’s most unique, lesser understood and most threatened languages.

The sad and shocking reality is that, if current trends continue, more than half of the world’s 7,000 languages will die out by the year 2100. That’s one language every fortnight. And with every language that disappears, so too does the culture and history intrinsically linked to each one. Stories, songs, traditions and knowledge passed down from generations will be lost, as will local knowledge about the land, traditional remedies and privileged knowledge about the natural world. To make matters worse, some of these language have not yet even been recorded, and some exist only in verbal form, rather than written – making them even harder to preserve.

Why are all these languages in danger of disappearing entirely?

As has been happening throughout history, some languages will naturally be more dominant or hold more prestige than others, and it is these languages that will tend to be spoken to the detriment of smaller, less important languages. Official language policies may also encourage people to speak a common language, sometimes in preference to their local, native tongue which is then deemed to be less useful. On the same note, government policies that force tribes to leave traditional ways of life, by destroying their natural habitat for economic gain, for example, directly contribute to the loss of indigenous languages as well as to local knowledge and customs.

And the more a dominant language spreads, the more importance it gains, and the more people want to learn it – sometimes resulting in parents not passing down the language of their ancestors to their children, in favour of the language that they think will help them progress further in the world and gain future employment.

So, although this is a naturally occurring phenomenon in human history, the rate at which languages are disappearing has accelerated over recent years and this is why the National Geographic’s Enduring Voices project could not come at a more pertinent time.

Fascinating language facts:

• More than 500 languages (more than 5% of the world’s total) are spoken in Nigeria alone. Some of these languages may only be spoken by a handful of people, many of these elderly.

• 80% of Africa’s 2,000 languages have no written form

• The Tofa language of Central Siberia is spoken by less than 30 people now, all of them elderly, and is likely to become the next victim of Russian-only government policies that force speakers of minority languages to use the national language

• Small populations of speakers such as those in Eastern India and Malaysia have potential to be wiped up by a single catastrophic natural disaster such as the 2004 tsunami

• Some languages such as Yami, on the tiny Irala Island south of Taiwan, are intrinsically linked to the local way of life; here on Irala, Yami contains the names for over 450 species of fish, which is the major food source – and of which, according to local culture, pregnant women are only permitted to eat 4!

• Oklahoma is home to the highest density of indigenous languages in the US

• The Andes mountains in South America, including part of the Amazon Basin, contains some of the most endangered languages, as Spanish, Portuguese and the most dominant indigenous languages replace minority ones

Read the article in full on the National Geographic website

Where can I study German in Bavaria?

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Located in the southeast of Germany, Bavaria (Bayern in German) borders the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland (across Lake Constance). It is actually one of the oldest states in Europe, and today is still Germany’s largest in geographical terms.

As you’d expect from its location, the region is home to some really stunning scenery, including beautiful forests (such as the Black Forest – ‘der Schwarzwald’), lush meadows and even its own mountain range, the Bavarian Alps. Germany’s highest peak, der Zugspitze, lies within these mountains.

Bavaria has a very unique identity, and in some ways the people who live there are very different to those in other parts of the country. This relates not only to their customs, traditional dress and food, but also their language – whilst most people in Bavaria speak ‘High German’ (the most standard form of the language), many also speak the regional dialect, Bayerisch, which, even to a proficient German speaker can be tricky to understand!

There are several locations within Bavaria where you can take a German language course, some in large cities and some in smaller, more rural towns.

Currently, Cactus offers courses in the following locations:

Munich

• Bavaria’s capital city and the biggest and most cosmopolitan of all the region’s towns and cities.

• Full of history and culture, with numerous museums and art galleries, and some really spectacular architecture to see.

• Great nightlife, with lots of bars, restaurants and cafes, both traditional and modern in design and offerings.

• A fantastic public transport system, which makes it very easy to get around.

• A very attractive city with lots of nice buildings and plenty of green areas – the English Gardens are particularly nice to sit in or stroll around.

German courses in Munich

Lindau image

• A relatively small town situated on the eastern part of Lake Constance.

• Located on a small island, connected to the mainland by bridge and railway.

• Boasts a stunning setting, surrounded by lakes, forests, vineyards with the Austrian and Swiss Alps in the background.

• Has a pretty medieval old-town with some attractive renaissance buildings, and a famous lighthouse at the entrance to the port.

• A popular tourist destination, especially in the summertime, when visitors can enjoy the scenery from one of the outdoor cafes and restaurants on the waterfront.

German courses in Lindau

Regensburg image

• Located further north in Bavaria than Munich and Lindau, to the west of the Black Forest and close to the Czech border.

• Has a large medieval centre that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Home to some beautiful buildings and structures, including the famous Dom St Peter and the Steinerne Bruecke, built over the Danube in the 12th century.

• Livelier than Lindau and Radolfzell but less expensive than Munich.

• A university city with a good nightlife to cater for the student population there.

German courses in Regensburg

Radolfzell image

• A small town on the western end of Lake Constance.

• Has a very attractive town centre with lots of historic buildings and houses that have been faithfully restored to their former glory.

• The surrounding countryside offers lots of opportunities for sailing, sufing, golf, tennis, cycling and walking.

• Benefits students who want to learn in tranquil, safe surroundings.

• Has a friendly local population who will be happy for you to practise your new-found German skills!

German courses in Radolfzell

Footprint Guide to Colombia - March 2011

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Cactus gets a special mention in the Footprint Guide to Colombia, which gives unrivalled, in-depth travel information about the country, from places to stay, to regional and national tourist attractions. 

Cactus Language Travel Holidays, T0845-130 4775, https://www.cactuslanguage.com offers Spanish language courses often combined with activities such as salsa or gastronomy in different parts of Colombia, including Bogotá, Cartagena and Leticia.

The Cultural Expose - March 2011

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The Cultural Expose is a popular website for Londoners interested in exciting cultural events. Cactus set-up a competition to win evening course, and promoted its taster events via the site:

…So I opted to do French last year (J’ai deux lapin et un chien…et tu?) and learned, amongst many things, how to tell people I have two rabbits and a dog – pets which I actually, er, don’t have – and to ask the French to repeat what they say more slooooooooowly (est-ce que vous pourriez repeter lentement, s’il vous plaît?). And yes, I did pass! However, I wouldn’t mind brushing up on my language skills – and if you feel the same way, this competition is totally for YOU.

Thanks to Cactus Language training, you could be in with a chance to win a free 10-week evening course to learn a language of YOUR choice, worth £200. They’re one of the leading language training companies in the world and you can learn everything from French, Spanish, Japanese to Italian and Farsi (subject to availability).

For your chance to win it, simply enter via our special Facebook and Twitter pages or our microsite. Encourage a friend to enter too!

**The competition closes at 10am March 13th and winners will be informed by the 14th. Good luck!**

ALSO – Cactus Training will be holding a free language taster evening on March 23rd. You can try out beginners French, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin AND there’s wine and nibbles 😉 To book your place, click here.

https://theculturalexpose.tumblr.com/post/3580330782/competition-win-a-spot-on-a-language-course-of-your

Where can I learn Italian in Tuscany?

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Currently, Cactus offers four locations in Tuscany where you can take an Italian course – Florence, Siena, Viareggio and the Island of Elba.

Florence

Undoubtedly one of Italy’s most visited cities, Florence, or Firenze as it’s known in Italian, has great historical significance. Its artistic, historic and cultural heritage and impact on the rest of world is massive. Florence is also regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with buildings and architecture that will take your breath away. You’ll certainly never be short of things to do in Florence with endless sightseeing options and so many possibilities for eating and drinking that your head will spin.

Italian courses in Florence

Viareggio

Just down the coast from Pisa on Tuscany’s Versilian Riviera lies the vibrant and up-market seaside resort of Viareggio. It may not be visually as stunning as Florence, but the city has plenty of attractions of its own, including fantastic nightlife, masses of boutiques and galleries and a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. It offers a perfect place to combine relaxation and culture, and is perfect for people of all ages.

Italian courses in Viareggio

Siena image

Like Florence, Siena is a city with a rich history and attractive buildings and piazzas. Within its medieval walls lies a maze of inviting narrow streets full of things to explore.  Siena is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which ensures a lively student atmosphere and plenty of cultural events. Siena itself is easily explored on foot, although its location close to the Chianti area means that you have easy access via buses and trains to the stunning Tuscan countryside too.

Italian courses in Siena

Elba Island image

Located 20km off the Tuscan coast, Elba is often assumed to be its own entity, but it is in fact part of Tuscany. Elba is the third largest island in Italy after Sicily and Sardinia and is famous for its clear waters and stunning natural landscapes. Elba is a great location for any outdoor enthusiasts, with options for water-sports and hiking/biking aplenty. It’s also a food-lover’s haven – as you might expect, seafood dishes are a particular specialty of the region. The course takes place in the exclusive town of Marciana, with a charming seafront promenade, a historic Saracen Tower, colourful streets and a beautiful sandy beach.

NB. Italian courses in Elba running during the summer months only.

Italian courses in Elba

Learn Spanish in Santiago de Chile – top of the New York Times’ list of places to go in 2011

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Santiago is a city which has certainly experienced a difficult year – in February 2010 it was one of the cities that suffered damage and loss of life due to a huge earthquake in and around the Maule Region. A year on though, Santiago, has largely recovered and is benefiting from a surge in tourism and a healthy economy.

In recent years, historic Santiago has become increasingly cosmopolitan and vibrant, and is now home a range of modern, up-market hotels and restaurants as well as more traditional establishments. There has also been lots of investment in the cultural and arts scene in Santiago, which now boasts places such as the new Centro Gabriela Mistral, a 200,000-square-foot centre that hosts a varied calendar of concerts, dance performances, plays and art exhibits.

It doesn’t stop there though…not only is Santiago a cultural hub, its location close to mountains and the coast makes it a great place for anyone who likes outdoor pursuits too. Whether you enjoy climbing, trekking, riding, skiing or watersports there’ll be something to keep you entertained. Any wine enthusiasts will also be pleased to know that there are plenty of Chile’s famous vineyards around Santiago to enjoy, whether you want to do some tasting, or simply to soak up the beautiful scenery.

Cactus offers General, Individual and Combined Spanish courses in Santiago at a range of levels. Also on offer are Spanish and Work Experience, Spanish and Ski and Spanish and Volunteering. For full course details and to book please visit www.cactuslanguage.com .

Read the New York Times’ article on 41 places to go in 2011

Speaking a second language said to slow the brain’s decline with age

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Mentioned in the article is a recent study that was presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington. It found that bilingual patients with probable Alzheimer’s were more likely have delayed symptoms compared to monolingual patients. In fact, the effect of speaking a second language produced a stronger effect on delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s than any drug currently used to control the disease.

It is largely believed that the same applies to anyone who speaks a second language, even if it that language is learnt later in life and not spoken to quite the same proficiency.

There are lots of great reasons to learn a new language, but this has to be one of the most compelling reasons to work on your foreign language skills.

Read the full Independent article

Read more about Cactus’ range of evening courses in the UK and North America, language courses abroad and tailor-made language training.

Visit Venice this June to experience the Vogalonga

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The race has been in existence since 1975, and is now one of Venice’s biggest events. It takes place around Ascension Day – on 12th June in 2011 – coinciding with the old ceremony of the Doge’s symbolic marriage to the sea.

More than just a race, the Vogalonga has come to represent an exciting celebration of the city and its maritime culture. On this day, oarsmen in all kinds of traditional boats – including dragonboats, kayaks, gondolas and fishermen’s sandoli – have the canals to themselves. Eye-catching fancy dress, rowing club colours and traditional sailors’ outfits all gain applause from the spectators who line the canals and wave the boats on.

Entry to the race is open to anyone, with boats of all shapes and sizes from single rower to boats with twenty or more participants.

The race takes place over a 30km course, and is started by a cannon blast beside the famous St Mark’s Square. Boats then head around the lagoon to Burano before coming back to finish beneath the Rialto Bridge.

Serious competitors in the event can complete the course in around two hours, but those who are there for a bit of fun can take five. Most of Venice’s motor boats stay tethered for the day, and the city is filled with drums, music and spectators’ cheers. It’s a great time to visit the city, even if you’re a more avid spectator than rower!

Read more about Italian courses in Venice

Cactus attends Dulwich College careers and courses convention

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The morning-long event was attended by both students at the College and their parents, and attracted a long list of exhibitors including Raleigh International, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Projects Abroad and a range of top universities and colleges.

Cactus has arranged five school group trips abroad for students at the college – two to Cologne, one to Malaga, one to Pamplona and another to Valencia, which they will be going on this April.

We were delighted to be asked to attend the event, and Language Course Consultant Jennifer Maynard and Marketing Coordinator Lauren Carey were able to go along and represent the company.

They spent much of the morning talking to students who were interested in gap year programmes abroad and exam preparation/revision language courses to supplement their studies. Some of the parents who attended were also interested in our evening language courses in and around London, which we offer in a range of languages at lots of levels.

Everyone who attended the event had the option to be entered into a draw to win a week-long Spanish language course (and accommodation) in Valencia, and the lucky winner on this occasion was Justin Chenk. Huge Congratulations to Justin on his course, which will no doubt help with his Spanish studies!

We hope to attend the event again next year and would like to thank anyone who came along to see us this year.

Find out more on Cactus’ language courses abroad and options for school groups.