Study Travel Magazine - April 2011

This article from Study Travel Magazine takes a look at learning Chinese.  Alex Wolfson from Cactus, comments: “With a language as complex as Mandarin, there really is no substitute for learning on location.  Our clients understand that spending time in one of the big cities like Shanghai or Xi’an offers an unrivalled insight into Chinese customers, traditions and daily life.  In the last couple of years, a large number of our students have wanted to visit Beijing and experience the hustle and bustle of the capital city.  We also find that Xi’an is popular and this is because it offers an alternative to the modern cities.”

Frommers.com - April 2011

This article, from the influential travel site by Arthur Frommer, takes a look at Cactus’ range of language holidays.  Arthur comments: “Whether you have simply a smattering of a foreign language, or are fluent in it, you will surely admit that the ability to understand or to be understood in a foreign language is often the key to extensive, profound or meaningful travel. In fact, 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).

It collects under one website 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 over 60 countries.  While the site focuses on the five major European languages, if you will click on “Study Abroad” and dig a bit, you’ll discover you can learn Mandarin, Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish, Japanese, Russian, Quechua… you name it. And the price for doing so seems entirely reasonable, although those costs vary sharply according to the language, place, and school or course you choose.  The site also has a great deal of related information: what to see and do in the destinations, how to choose accommodations, what the different kinds of courses are like, and what each offers. I’m impressed with Cactus.”

Travel Video TV - April 2011

In the same way that authors such as Colin Thurbron, Peter Mayle and Elizabeth Gilbert have won legions of fans by capturing the true spirit of culturally authentic travel experiences, the most passionate travelers long to immerse themselves fully in their chosen destinations. This is the core of Cactus Language Training’s philosophy.

One of the world’s leading language training companies, Cactus teaches more than 30 languages in 60 countries at 500 destinations worldwide, each year adding new destinations, immersive cultural opportunities and enticing incentives that enhance the process of learning a new language through culturally enriching vacation experiences.

With an emphasis on affordability and authenticity, Cactus’s new vacation programs in 2011 include learning Spanish and Latin Dance in Leticia, Colombia at a school on the banks of the Amazon; studying German in the low-key, less touristy Bavarian town of Lindau overlooking the Swiss Alps; and mastering Russian in culturally diverse Kiev, Ukraine near Belarus.

The new Colombia location is one of 70 destinations in which Cactus offers Spanish language instruction; others include Argentina, Costa Rica, and two in Spain. Likewise, those who seek to speak French fluently can choose among 26 destinations, including coastal Biarritz, Bordeaux, and Monaco in France; or Montreal, Canada. If ease with Italian is the goal, Cactus offers 22 locations across Italy. Thai, Turkish and Brazilian Portuguese (the current passion of Cactus founder Rich Ambler) are among the 30 languages offered by Cactus.

Incentives and Special Offers – all prices for all Cactus programs are guaranteed in US dollars.

A variety of appealing incentives are available for aspiring linguists, including:

· A free week with the purchase of a two-week French language program in Nice (for programs through May 30), starting at $682 for a 3-week course;

· Five free cultural lessons with the purchase of a Spanish language program in Madrid (plus a discounted rate for programs over 12 weeks in length), starting at $284 for a course-only.

· A free excursion to the glass-blowing island of Murano with the purchase of an Italian language program in Venice, starting at $312 for a course-only. Available throughout the year.

Cactus believes that “one size does not fit all” and tailors its broad range of programs to fit the individual needs of the learner. Adding a further dimension to its in situ programs, Cactus incorporates cultural experiences, ranging from wine tasting and cooking to dance and diving, to strengthen and reinforce the day’s language lessons. Cactus also offers courses for children, teenagers, families and mature travelers, as well as executives.

Travel Video News - April 2011

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – (April 2011) In the same way that authors such as Colin Thurbron, Peter Mayle and Elizabeth Gilbert have won legions of fans by capturing the true spirit of culturally authentic travel experiences, the most passionate travelers long to immerse themselves fully in their chosen destinations. This is the core of Cactus Language Training’s philosophy.

One of the world’s leading language training companies, Cactus teaches more than 30 languages in 60 countries at 500 destinations worldwide, each year adding new destinations, immersive cultural opportunities and enticing incentives that enhance the process of learning a new language through culturally enriching vacation experiences.

With an emphasis on affordability and authenticity, Cactus’s new vacation programs in 2011 include learning Spanish and Latin Dance in Leticia, Colombia at a school on the banks of the Amazon; studying German in the low-key, less touristy Bavarian town of Lindau overlooking the Swiss Alps; and mastering Russian in culturally diverse Kiev, Ukraine near Belarus.

The new Colombia location is one of 70 destinations in which Cactus offers Spanish language instruction; others include Argentina, Costa Rica, and two in Spain. Likewise, those who seek to speak French fluently can choose among 26 destinations, including coastal Biarritz, Bordeaux, and Monaco in France; or Montreal, Canada. If ease with Italian is the goal, Cactus offers 22 locations across Italy. Thai, Turkish and Brazilian Portuguese (the current passion of Cactus founder Rich Ambler) are among the 30 languages offered by Cactus.

Incentives and Special Offers – all prices for all Cactus programs are guaranteed in US dollars.

A variety of appealing incentives are available for aspiring linguists, including:

· A free week with the purchase of a two-week French language program in Nice (for programs through May 30), starting at $682 for a 3-week course;

· Five free cultural lessons with the purchase of a Spanish language program in Madrid (plus a discounted rate for programs over 12 weeks in length), starting at $284 for a course-only.

· A free excursion to the glass-blowing island of Murano with the purchase of an Italian language program in Venice, starting at $312 for a course-only. Available throughout the year.

Cactus believes that “one size does not fit all” and tailors its broad range of programs to fit the individual needs of the learner. Adding a further dimension to its in situ programs, Cactus incorporates cultural experiences, ranging from wine tasting and cooking to dance and diving, to strengthen and reinforce the day’s language lessons. Cactus also offers courses for children, teenagers, families and mature travelers, as well as executives.

https://www.travelvideo.tv/news/united-states/04-06-2011/cactus-language-training-unveils-new-season-of-language-and-cultural-immersion-vacations

Cactus appoints US PR agency - and builds media buzz

As part of its stateside marketing drive, Cactus recently appointed PR consultancy, MDP Publicity, to design and develop a US media campaign: https://www.mdppublicity.com/

MDP Publicity is a highly successful communications agency with a special focus on the travel market. The Agency brings vast experience, in–depth knowledge and perceptive insights to each campaign it undertakes and its principal, Meryl Pearlstein, is a specialist in media relations.

The appointment has already started to generate initial media interest in the states, with an article on Travel News Gazette: https://ftnnews.com/tour-operators/12127-cactus-language-training-vacations-around-the-world-mix-classes-with-culture-and-activities.html

Cactus also received a mention in The Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-0417-news-to-use-20110416,0,7835476.story

Tinka Bose, Head of Marketing at Cactus, comments: “Cactus has always been aware of the power of PR in engaging with customers, generating interest in our services and building the Cactus brand.  So we’re really pleased to have a US team dedicated to PR and are looking forward to seeing how the campaign grows and develops in the months ahead.”

Footprint Guide to Colombia - March 2011

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

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

Goodtoknow.co.uk - February 2011

Cactus set-up a special competition on the GoodtoKnow.co.uk website to win two evening language courses.  The website is a hugely popular women’s lifestyle site published by IPC media. 

Enter this competition and you could be speaking a new language in a few months time!

With spring in the air and summer holidays just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to try your hand at a new language.  Cactus Language Training is offering one person the chance to win a 10-week evening courses in Spanish, French, Italian or German – and one for a friend!

Evening classes are a great way to meet like-minded people and absorb a new language, whether you’re learning before jetting off on holiday or want to impress friends or colleagues.  And with Cactus courses available at 47 locations around the UK, there’s sure to be a location to suit.

Cactus is one of the world’s leading language training companies and every year we help more than 15,000 people learn over 30 languages in 60 countries and at 500 destinations worldwide.  To find our more about all our courses visit https://www.cactuslanguagetraining.com.”

The Times - 29 January 2011

This article in The Times Travel section is by experienced travel writer Will Hide and covers his recent trip to Cracow with Cactus to learn Polish.  He describes the ins and outs of getting to grips with the language and staying with a host family, giving him a much more authentic experience of the local life and culture.  Will comments: “My brain is under attack, my head throbbing.  For two hours I have been bombarded with a constant stream of Ps, Zs, Cs and Ys, plus those Ls with lines through them that actually turn out to be Ws.  I am in a classroom in Cracow on an intensive “learn Polish” course, the equivalent of mental bootcamp….Aneta, my teacher, takes me out for some hands-on lessons – shopping for vegetables in the market, ordering coffee and buying tram tickets, The Poles laugh at my mangled efforts, while the stallholder who listens to my faltering attempt to purchase half a kilo of tomatoes replies in broad Essex….The lessons forced me to use my brain in ways that I hadn’t since school.  And if you can order a few beers in the local language, then you have taken a small step away from being just another tourist. Na zdrowie!  Cactus (0845 130 4775) offers a week’s individual beginner’s Polish lessons from £359pp, including accommodation with a local family (you get a single room, breakfast and dinner).  EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Cracow from five UK airports.”

MyDaily.co.uk - 4 January 2011

Whether it’s learning a language, making jewellery, writing your novel or, um – beekeeping, the easiest way to keep you New Year’s resolution this year is to sign up for a trip away with an expert. Learn Italian in Sicily: There’s no better place to learn a language than in the country itself, so sign up for a learning holiday with Cactus Language Training, which offers courses in 500 destinations.  https://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/01/04/holidays-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions/?v=2