See St Petersburg at its vibrant best during the White Nights

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St. Petersburg is one of the world’s most northern cities, and its location means that during these three months it never really gets dark. You can walk around the city between 10pm and 5am and there’s no need for street lighting – the illumination by twilight is more than enough, and provides the ideal setting for any romantic outing!

For many this is a real time of celebration and with so many months of darkness and freezing weather during the winter, it’s easy to see why! The city puts on firework displays, all-night parties and cultural events which last long into the night.

The “Stars of the White Nights Festival” at the Mariinsky Theatre is one of the most notable features of the White Nights, and has become an internationally renowned celebration of the arts. Classical ballet, opera and orchestral performances form the basis of the festival, which was created by the first mayor of St. Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak. Some of the stars who have performed here include Placido Domingo, Olga Borodina and Alfred Brendel.

Possibly the biggest, and most famous public event during the festival, though, is the ‘Scarlet Sails’ celebration. A really spectacular fireworks display and end-of-season show, it has become the largest public event in Russia, with an estimated attendance of over a million people. The tradition began after the end of WWII, when several Leningrad schools united to celebrate the ending of a school year in connection with symbolism of the popular 1922 children’s book Scarlet Sails by Alexander Grin. The “Scarlet Sails” tradition has evolved into a massive demonstration of freedom from “schools and rules” and takes place at the end of school year annually. The show includes a series of large-scale events on the waters of Neva River, such as boat races, and a massive mock battle with pirates, which culminates in the appearance of a tall ship sporting spectacular scarlet sails.

Along with the cultural events, the firework displays and the carnivals, there are also star performances in Palace Square from the likes of Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones. Impressive venues at any time of year, but especially in the evening light!

There’s certainly no better time to go to St Petersburg, and this year will be no exception. The festival will run from 23 May to 24 July 2011, which gives you ample time to spend a long weekend experiencing the phenomenon for yourself.

Visit Russia this year and learn to speak Russian! Russian language courses are available in St Petersburg and Moscow. Alternatively, learn to speak Russian at home in one of Cactus’ many Russian classes in the UK and the US. If you’re already quite confident, test your Russian with our Russian language test.

Why sign up for a foreign language evening course?

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1. To prepare for a summer holiday on foreign shores

If you’re heading to a non-English speaking destination for your summer holiday this year, trying to learn the basics of the local language will stand you in really good stead when you arrive. Of course, you could probably get by without, but learning a bit of the lingo will help you get more from your holiday, and in certain scenarios could really prove to be priceless – especially if you have a family in tow.

If, on the other hand, you’re young, free and single, learning some of the language will prove very handy when it comes to chatting up the local lads or ladies! With a few choice phrases and some basic grammar up your sleeve, you never know…this could turn out to be the ‘summer of love’…

2. To give yourself an excuse for a holiday abroad (if you need one!)

Granted, for lots of people no ‘excuse’ is needed when it comes to booking holidays abroad…for many people, a foreign holiday is the one luxury that they afford themselves each year.

Other people however, need more of a justification for spending the money. If you’re one of these people, and guilt is getting the better of you, give yourself a justifiable reason to head abroad! Take up a language and, of course, you’ll need to practise those newly acquired skills…

3. To make the most of those long, summer evenings

Let’s be honest. Sometimes in the winter you just don’t feel like going out after a long day at work. The sofa and a dvd seem much more appealing than venturing out into the cold…BUT it’s nearly summer now and it’s all change! Gone are the wet, dark evenings and the seasonal hibernation – it’s time to get out, make the most of the long days and do some socialising.

Language courses are a great way to meet like-minded people, as well as learning a new skill. They provide a relaxed and informal learning environment, and students usually hit it off really well.

4. To ensure you can compete in the current employment market

The recession might officially be over, but the job market is still suffering. In times like this, it’s essential to keep yourself as skilled as possible, and foreign languages are still seen as a huge asset to your cv.

Whether you’re looking to progress within your current company or organisation, or to seek new employment, learning or revising language skills is a great idea for anyone working within an international environment, or whose role has an international element.

Cactus offers foreign language evening courses in a variety of locations across the UK and North America. For further information on prices, start dates, course content, how to book, or to test your level, please visit our our UK or US site.

What is teaching English abroad really like?

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TEFL is often cited as a great way to travel the world and experience new cultures – does it really allow you to do so, though?

One of the great things about TEFL, it is often assumed, is that it will give you access to one of those very glamorous-sounding carefree existences, where you can hop from country to country, visiting exotic places, experiencing new cultures and embarking on new adventures.

Of course, there are people who stay in the UK and teach, but many would-be TEFLers are attracted by this idea of providing a ‘ticket to ride’.

And sometimes it does.

In honesty though, most schools will want you to sign a contract for the whole school year, meaning that doing a few months here, and a couple of months there is not always as easy as it sounds.  In addition, it is not always a ‘given’ that you will find good jobs in decent schools where you will be well-looked after, adequately remunerated…and given enough free time to make the most of being in these far-flung, exotic places.

The working conditions and salaries for TEFL teachers vary enormously from country to country, and even from school to school. This is principally a result of the unregulated nature of the industry, and the lack of uniformity that ensues.

When it comes to teaching EFL abroad, the majority of jobs are to be found in private language schools. In short, there are good language schools and there are bad language schools. If you’re lucky, you will find a job in a well- run school, where teachers and their professional development are valued. There, you would hopefully be offered a decent wage and in-house development sessions. If you’re unlucky, you’ll find yourself working for an unscrupulous employer who charges over the odds to their students of English, and pays their teachers a pittance!

TEFL is not a well-paid profession, and no wage will ever be hugely substantial in Western terms, but some salaries are much better than others.

The issue of EFL teachers’ salaries has long been contentious, and it does seem unfair that in Western Europe certainly, they are not generally comparable to those of teachers in mainstream education. Anyone looking to forge a long-term career in TEFL would probably struggle to earn enough to get by without ascending to the position of Director of Studies, Teacher Trainer, Academic Manager or School Principal after their initial stint as a classroom teacher.

For those who use TEFL as a way to go abroad for a couple of years and “see the world” the argument tends to be that the experience is more intended to enrich in terms of cultural and international awareness, rather then financial gain. Granted, this is a concept that is often exploited as a convenient excuse for low-wage brackets and antisocial working hours, but to a certain extent it is true.

My stint as a teacher abroad certainly didn’t make me megabucks, but it did give me a bona fide experience of living and working in a foreign country. Yes, I worked some antisocial hours (and wasn’t always gushing in my accounts when talking to friends and family at the time!) but I met nice people, learned some of the local language, and learnt some new skills that genuinely have helped me professionally.

More about TEFL courses worldwide

What will I achieve with a 1-week intensive language course in New York?

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Attending 3 hours of classes every day for a week is great for anyone who needs to learn the basics of a foreign language very intensively. Available at beginner level, they are ideal for anyone who needs a refresher course in a foreign language they have learnt a long time ago, or for those starting from scratch.

Currently, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian and Spanish are all available in this format.

These courses are not intended to provide in-depth coverage of complicated grammar and vocabulary; they are designed to simply cover all the basics that you need in order to get by. They aim to fulfill the same kind of purpose as CD–based or online vacation preparation type-courses but, being face-to-face, are much more beneficial and enjoyable.

One of the main attractions of the week-long courses is that students benefit from a face-to-face tutor who they can go to with any specific questions or queries, rather than being left to their own devices. Students also get to meet new, like-minded people. Class sizes are small, which ensures that your tutor always has enough time to dedicate to you and your learning. In addition, tutors are all qualified and either native speakers or native-speaker level.

Classes are intended to be fun, interactive and stimulating to ensure the maximum possible gain in terms of language acquisition.

For full listings of our week-long courses, information on how to book and to test your level, please visit the Language Courses North America website.

Exam revision courses at Easter: the best way to prepare

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For some students, the upcoming Easter holiday is the last break before their GCSE and A-Level examinations. Those wanting to consolidate their language skills and gain real confidence in the language might want to consider an exam revision course abroad.

GCSE and A-Level revision courses are available both in France and Spain, and offer a unique opportunity to study the language and prepare for the exam whilst mixing with others of the same age and enjoying the local culture too. There’s nothing like being surrounded by the language to tune your ear and practise speaking it when out and about; even simple activities like ordering a drink, going to the cinema or taking part in social events organised by the school provide a valuable chance to practise the language outside class, in a fun environment, with others of the same age.

Whether you need a little boost before the final hurdle or simply want to make sure you’re on top form when exam time comes, these exam revision courses will make sure you’re as ready as can be and, in many cases, ensure better results! 

REVISION COURSES IN FRANCE

Course: French GCSE revision course in Chambery

Start dates: 11th & 18th April 2011

Includes: 16 lessons of general French + 6 lessons of specific GCSE preparation

Course: French A Level revision course in Chambery

Start dates: 11th & 18th April 2011

Includes: 16 lessons of general French + 6 lessons of specific A-Level preparation

Course: French A Level revision course in Bordeaux

Start date: 28th March 2011

Includes: 24 French lessons + 3 cultural activities

Course: French A-Level revision course in Montpellier

Start date: 11th April 2011

Includes: 26 French lessons per week

REVISION COURSES IN SPAIN

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School))

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 30 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 25 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 20 Spanish lessons

Course: Spanish A-Level revision course in Madrid (Premium School)

Start date: any Monday

Includes: 15 Spanish lessons

All that remains to say is good luck – or bonne chance / ¡buena suerte! – in your exams this summer.

Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide, including specialist courses such as exam preparation, academic year, language & activity and volunteering programmes.

Student feedback confirms continuing ‘teaching excellence’ at Cactus

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There are now hundreds of teachers who work for Cactus across the UK. All have relevant experience and qualifications, and have been fully vetted by our Director of Studies prior to beginning work for us. As a result, we have a fantastically talented, enthusiastic and experienced pool of teachers who we know will provide interesting and effective lessons for our students.

We also have a dedicated Academic Department in place, which not only recruits the best teachers available but also, in order to support and develop our teachers as much as possible, oversees regular classroom observations and provides on-going training and seminars.

This combination of talented teachers and an experienced and supportive academic team is essential for ensuring high quality teaching and lessons, and our investment in academic quality is bearing fruit. The latest student and observation feedback shows that 92% of our teachers are ranked as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, compared to 76% a year ago.

We are, of course, delighted with these figures and will continue to work closely with our teachers to maintain, and wherever possible, improve these admirably high standards.

We’d like to thank our teachers for their consistent hard work and dedication and look forward to sharing another successful year with them.

Cactus offers a range of UK-based evening and part-time language courses. For full listings of locations, languages and to test your level. please visit www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk.

What is Catalan and how widely is it spoken?

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Catalan isn’t a dialect of Spanish, it is a separate language which in many respects is as close to French as it is to Spanish. The Catalan government has spent a lot of money trying to increase the number of people who speak Catalan. Not surprisingly, some students have written to us asking whether Catalan could interfere with their Spanish studies. The answer is generally “no”.

Our centres in Barcelona teach Spanish, not Catalan and our host families will also speak Spanish (not Catalan) to them. Students may overhear some conversations in Catalan, but they are equally likely to overhear conversations in English, French, Arabic or Italian – Barcelona is a very cosmopolitan city!

According to a recent survey, over 67% of the people in Barcelona consider Spanish to be their first language. In small towns and villages Catalan is more widely spoken but in Barcelona, because of a long history of immigration from other parts of Spain, the dominant language is very definitely Spanish. Five of the seven television channels currently available broadcast in Spanish, and all the leading newspapers – including those published in Barcelona – are also written in Spanish. What’s more, everyone in Barcelona automatically uses Spanish to speak to foreign students as they don’t expect them to know any Catalan, so there is very little danger of students being asked to understand anything other than Spanish while they are here.

The only issue is that many signs (including street signs and many shop fronts and the occasional menu) are written in Catalan (most menus and advertisements are in Spanish or are bilingual) and students may find this confusing. Reading signs is a valuable part of the learning process (especially for beginners and elementary students) , and those with an intermediate level or above will tend to be able to distinguish between Spanish and Catalan signs. Those with a lower level, though, should be aware that, in this area and only in this area, they will be slightly disadvantaged when comparing Barcelona with other destinations.

Finally, it is also worth bearing in mind that all Catalans are totally bilingual and that they speak Spanish without any noticeable accent. So what the Spanish students will hear in Barcelona is in fact much closer to normal or “correct” Castilian Spanish than the Spanish they would hear in some other regions of Spain where Spanish is often spoken with a very strong regional accent.

More about Spanish courses in Barcelona

New destinations for 2011

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From the deep jungle of Colombia to the Alpine lakes in Germany to central Ukraine, we hope you’ll find somewhere in our selection of new locations to inspire you to learn a language this year…

NEW Spanish locations:

Almuñecar, Spain (juniors only)

Leticia, Colombia

Santander, Spain

San José, Costa Rica (new San Pedro school)

NEW German locations:

Constance, Germany

Freudental, Germany

Lindau, Germany

NEW Italian location:

Cilento coast, Italy (juniors only)

NEW Russian location:

Kiev, Ukraine

NEW English locations:

Jersey, UK

Loch Long, UK (juniors only)

Santa Barbara, US (juniors only)

NEW TEFL location:

Strasbourg, France

Cactus offers language courses in over 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide, as well as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses in many countries across the globe too.

Zürich – a city that is full of surprises

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Zürich is a city that is largely associated with business and commerce, and is generally known as Switzerland’s financial centre. As a result, it seems to have gained a reputation a sterile and somewhat soulless place, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The city itself enjoys an attractive setting on the northern tip of Lake Zürich, with the south and the Alps in the background. It has a pretty old town, which spans the river and boasts an array of interesting lanes and buildings, including the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches.

Anyone interested in history and culture will be spoilt for choice given that Zurich has more than 50 museums, art galleries, the opera, orchestras and the Schauspielhaus theatre, as well as a number of performance spaces that encourage contemporary artists.

In terms of bars and restaurants, Zürich has hundreds of options that cater for all tastes and budgets. If you want to be wined and dined you won’t be disappointed, but equally if you’re after some traditional Austrian fare you can take your pick of authentic eateries.

Perhaps the most compelling evidence to negate Zürich’s undeserved label as a ‘boring’ city is the fact that it hosts what is now known as Europe’s largest annual street party! Modelled on the Berlin Love Parade, the event – held every August – now attracts over half a million revelers who come year after year to soak up the atmosphere.

In addition to the Love Parade, Zurich offers several other summer festivals that are well worth a visit:

– The Zürich Festival takes place this year from 17th June- 10th July and offers a unique combination of opera, concert, dance, theatre and art.

– From 2nd July – 4th July the Caliente, festival tropical celebrates South American rhythms with live music, dance shows and markets. It has become the largest festival of Latin American culture in the German-speaking countries of Europe.

Zürich’s central European location makes it easily accessible by rail, air or road, and it has a temperate climate that will suit summer holiday plans. With so much to offer, why not give it a try this year? You won’t be disappointed…

Read more on German courses in Zurich