Amazing Chartres: Les temps des cathédrales

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An American friend and fellow student took me once on a discovery tour of Chartres, a cathedral place in North-Central France, accessible from the Parisian Gare Montparnasse within one hour. I’m still grateful to her for taking me to a place where you can plunge into the layers of time and into civilisations that had shaped France from the Ancient Gaul till the Modern Times.

The most amazing fact about the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is that it unites contradictions at one and the same space. Ancient pagan sanctuary with traces of labyrinthine maps to worship the solar cycle similar to Stonehenge transformed into one of the gems of Christian cathedral culture, it is the incarnation of the Sacred, par excellence, whatever the form. Located in the Loire Valley, Chartres Cathedral has been a Christian religious and architectural icon since the eleventh century. This Gothic cathedral has survived wars, revolutions and even fire. Towering church spires, stained multi-coloured glass and the labyrinth will be offered to visitors’ admiration.

The linguistic difference between mazes and labyrinths can be discussed. Most people consider them to be synonyms, but unlike mazes, labyrinths have a single path, no dead ends, and one way in and out. In many world’s religions it symbolizes the journey of the spiritual seeker, the path one must walk in order to grow towards clarity and wisdom.

The Chartres Labyrinth measures 131 feet in diameter and its concentric circles to the center were used by monks and pilgrims for meditation. An amazing collection of stained glass offers depictions of the Bible scenes. The North Rose Window, West Rose Window, Blue Virgin Window and the Tree of Jesse are some of the most recognized stained glass windows in the world. Climb to the top of the tower stretching over 350 feet in height to admire its breathtaking panoramic view on wheat fields of l’Eure-et-Loir. You can also explore the Crypt. This eleventh century crypt is the largest in France offering an escape from the summer heat. By the way, guided tours of the Crypt are offered only in French.

During the Wars of Religion, it was attacked unsuccessfully by the Protestants in 1568. Chartres Cathedral marks the high point of French Gothic art. Its porches are adorned with fine sculptures from the middle of the 12th century making it truly a masterpiece.

The construction of the Cathedral started in 1205 following the destruction of the old cathedral of Chartres. Construction took 66 years.  It is considered one of the finest examples in all France of the Gothic style of architecture. Even before the early Gothic cathedral was built, Chartres was a place of Christian pilgrimage continuing the ancient spiritual tradition. For millennia Chartres was the main pilgrimage site in France with its ancient Pre-Christian roots, Druidic Black Madonna, relic of the Veil of the Virgin drawing pilgrims from all over Europe.

On the 24th of June the Catholic St John’s Day coincides with the ancient pagan Summer Solstice. Summer Solstice celebrations still present, for example, in the Baltics and Scandinavia as well as in France itself with its Fête de la musique inspired by carnival culture, is a special date in the Chartres Cathedral calendar. The maze located on the cathedral pavement floor represents a complex solar cycle scheme. Every year on the Summer Solstice, a beam of sunlight is focused through a lens in a stained-glass window dedicated to Saint Appollonaire, the Christianized version of the Roman Sun God Apollo. It illuminates a particular flagstone of the cathedral like in Saint Sulpice in Paris.

Don’t forget that Chartres is famous not only for its fascinating medieval sites. A small town with magical atmosphere like Cambridge and Salisbury in England remains at the same time a modern tourist place with a well developed infrastructure, fashionable shops and cosy cafés where you will enjoy every minute of it. 

For more information on the Our Lady of Chartres Cathedral and labyrinths a number of websites are available:

https://www.squidoo.com/labyrinths

https://www.lessons4living.com/chartres_labyrinth.htm

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/81

https://www.ehow.com/how_4516800_enjoy-chartres-cathedral.html

https://interfaithmarianpilgrimages.com/pages/Chartres.htm

https://www.chartreslabyrinthtours.com/

https://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/notredamedeparis/tempsdescathedrales.htm



Cactus offers French courses at a variety of levels in nearby Paris, Rouen and Tours. For further information or to book please visit the Cactus Language website.

5 top destinations to visit this autumn – alternative languages

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For you, we’re listing our recommendations of the best language course locations in the rest of the world this autumn.

1. Rabat, Morocco

An exotic, imperial city sitting on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Rabat is a combination of Arabic tradition and European elegance. Its origins date back to the 7th century, yet it is a relaxed and well-kept city with wide, tree-lined boulevards, parks, embassies and government buildings. Visit Rabat in the autumn and you’ll be treated to mild and mostly dry weather, avoiding the summer heat and the winter rain – perfect if you want to dedicate yourself to learning Arabic and exploring this fascinating city.

Arabic courses in Rabat, Morocco

2. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, a busy, 24-hour hotbed of Chinese tradition and Western influence. From deep fried fish balls on a street corner to cocktails in a high-rise hotel, from early morning tai chi to late night partying, from a commuter ferry across the harbour to a leisurely tram ride up Victoria peak, the city offers a million and one experiences in a day.

Chinese Mandarin Courses in Hong Kong, China

Chinese Cantonese courses in Hong Kong, China

3. Fukuoka, Japan

Revealed as the 12th most livable city in the Monocle Quality of Life Survey 2015, Fukuoka comes into its prime during the autumn as the temperature is pleasant and mild. It is also the perfect time to visit the city’s stunning Yusentei Japanese Garden, the leaves turning a spectacular fire red and burnt orange in colour, and its Komyozenji Temple, a perfect place to take off your shoes, sit on the wooden veranda and contemplate a moment of tranquility. As for Fukuoka, this is one of Japan’s most important and influential cities, with a stunning location surrounded by mountains and sea – a great place to base yourself this autumn to learn Japanese.

Japanese courses in Fukuoka, Japan

4. Porto, Portugal

There’s a lot more to Porto than the Port wine for which it is famous – though it would of course be rude not to sample this delicious drink upon visiting. The capital of the Norte region in Portugal, Porto boasts a stunning historic centre, the Ribeira district, which is a Unesco World Heritage site of cobbled streets, winding lanes and wonky staircases, a true delight to explore.

Portuguese courses in Porto, Portugal

5. St Petersburg, Russia

St Petersburg is chock-full of tourists in the summer, but by autumn the crowds have dissipated and you can enjoy art at the Hermitage Museum, ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre and walking along the River Neva at your own pace. Built by Peter the Great, this fascinating city is distinctly European in style but it will always be the City of the Tsars, steeped in legend and intrigue.

Russian courses in St Petersburg, Russia

Cactus runs language courses worldwide in more than 30 languages, 60 countries and 500 destinations.

Pick up some of the language before you go – especially advantageous with these harder languages listed above – with our daytime, evening and weekend language courses in the UK.

Cactus staff get linguistic: practising what we preach

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At Cactus we deal with languages every day, we take bookings for evening courses, we send people all around the world for language holidays and we hear different languages on a daily basis as we get phone calls from far and wide. Moreover, our current staff represents a total of eleven different nationalities. But still, do we really practise what we preach? Are we ourselves making the effort to learn languages in our pastime?

A quick question round in the office seems to give a positive answer – 88% of our employees have taken part in Cactus courses, either in the UK, abroad or both. 

And let’s not forget our New York branch where you can find a further 5 employees. One of our US staff took a German Level 1 evening course with Cactus in the Big Apple, and is soon going to test the skills acquired in real-life as she is moving to a German-speaking country. Italian learned in the classroom in Brighton was also quickly put into use when our Head of Marketing attended a wedding in Monterchi, Italy, half-way through her beginner course.

The range of languages studied by Cactus employees covers 10 languages, including Hindi, Japanese, Polish and Russian. What’s more, this list only includes the languages they have studied with Cactus – most of the staff already speak several languages on arrival at Cactus.

In general Spanish is by far the most popular language offered by Cactus, and this seems to hold true among our staff as well. Spanish is the most commonly heard answer when you ask any of us about the language courses we have taken during our time at Cactus. Besides taking Spanish evening courses in the UK, Cactus members have tried Spanish immersion courses in places such as Buenos Aires, Málaga and San Sebastián. If you decide to practise your skills in an authentic environment, you often also have the chance to combine the lessons with some fun after-class activity – it can be French and surfing in Biarritz or Spanish and salsa in Havana, to mention just a few combinations our staff has tried on their holidays!

The position of the second most popular language among Cactus staff is held by another Latin-based language, French. In France, the seaside city of Biarritz has attracted many of us.

Italian ranks high as well – our employees seem to be fond of Italy as many different corners of the country have been explored by members of Cactus: Florence, Taormina, Tropea, Cagliari and Alghero. Portuguese and German follow on the popularity list after these three languages, but several members of staff have also tried their hand at Japanese and Arabic.

The top 5 courses taken by Cactus staff:

1. Spanish Cactus Level 1

2. Spanish Cactus Level 2

3. Italian Cactus Level 1

4. Japanese Cactus Level 1

5. Arabic Cactus Level 1

The 5 most popular languages studied by Cactus employees:

1. Spanish

2. French

3. Italian

4. German

5. Brazilian Portuguese

Pichilemu: not your average surfing destination

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When you think of all the places to surf in the world, Chile probably doesn’t feature at the top of your list. Yet, with waves over 25 feet and life post-earthquake returning to normal, the small town of Pichilemu in central Chile is fast becoming a top spot to catch a wave.

Surfers come here from far afield to take advantage of the southwest Pacific swell and enjoy the laid-back, beach resort lifestyle. Punta de Lobos is where they’re all headed – a few miles outside of town, this popular surfing beach offers regular, high waves as well as stunning views from the cliffs and the rocks. As such it was worthy host of the Quiksilver Big Wave event in May 2010, which attracted 24 of the world’s top big wave riders and a total $30,000 in prize money – half of which was pledged to help with the relief effort after the 27th February earthquake and tsunami.

You don’t have to be world-class to enjoy surfing at Pichilemu, however. Although it’s great for advanced surfers, this is good spot to start even as a beginner, as the point break in town has a sand bottom which makes it safe.

And what if you’d rather stay on dry land? The rolling hills and forests of the region offer plenty of other outdoor pursuits such as mountain biking, kayaking and horse riding, while the less energetic can enjoy bird-watching, wine-tasting or yoga. Whatever you do, you can work up an appetite safe in the knowledge that the town offers a number of good restaurants, especially those specialising in seafood.

Cactus’ Spanish & Surf course in Pichilemu is a great way to learn Spanish and get a feel for the local surf culture. Courses take place in a great new school right in the centre of Pichilemu, with an amazing view of Puntilla Beach. Available from one week upwards, with accommodation provided in a host family if requested, this is one place worthy of a postcard home.

Cactus also offers surfing courses in many other locations across the globe.

Gap year options: the best courses for you

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Those lucky enough to have a gap year stretching ahead of them – be it before or after university, as a career break, or in retirement – have a wealth of opportunities at their globe-trotting feet. Travel invariably comes into the equation, but the tricky part is working out what exactly you want to do and how to make the most of your precious time out.

Wherever you’re going, one of the best things you can do when setting foot on foreign soil is learn some of the language. Whether you’re backpacking across the globe, taking overland trips, participating in sports and adventure programmes, looking for paid work, or hoping to teach or volunteer, knowledge of the local language – even if just the basics – can make the world of difference to your gap year. It can get you out of many a sticky situation, to say nothing of enhancing your general experience and enabling you to ‘get under the skin’ of a place. And, when you get back – not that you want to think of this right now – the fact that you have learnt a language will impress future employers who will see that you have both gained a new skill and shown initiative and creativity.

With this in mind we’ve compiled a list of language programmes that combine particularly well with gap year experiences. This list is by no means exhaustive; Cactus organises courses for many ‘gappers’ and there are many options to choose from. These are just a few to whet the appetite…so take a look, be inspired, and see the world!

Language & Volunteer Programmes

Many people with a year off want to volunteer in some way. With Cactus, you can study Spanish for 4 weeks and then use your newfound language skills on an 8-week volunteer placement in social work, education, community development, health care or environmental care. Most volunteer organisations do not require you to learn any of the language before taking a placement, but by doing so you will get much more out of your volunteer experience and the volunteer organisation, in turn, will get much more out of you. Spanish & Volunteer programmes are available in Buenos Aires and Cordoba in Argentina, and in Antigua, Guatemala.

Language & Activity Courses

A big hit with Cactus clients, our Language & Activity programmes are the perfect way to combine language learning with a fun activity such as salsa, tango, diving, surfing, cookery, wine tasting, photography or yoga. Of particular appeal to gap year students is the coastal town of Jaco Beach in Costa Rica. This laid-back, surfy town is a great place to simply hang out, but with its warm climate, Pacific surf and golden beach, you’re likely to be tempted by the surfing, yoga and photography courses…

Alternatively, why not try your hand at Samba and Brazilian dance in Salvador, salsa in Barcelona, diving in La Ceiba, Honduras, or skiing in Chambery?

Long-term language courses in cheaper locations

If you just want to take a straight language course before embarking on your gap year adventure, you can enrol on a General Course in any of our locations. Available from 1 week upwards, at all ages and levels, these language courses are a great way to meet people from across the globe and take part in a range of cultural and sporting activities outside class. If you study for a few weeks or more, we recommend the following good value courses in locations which are great places to stop and spend some time: Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Valencia.

Language & TEFL Programmes

Teaching English abroad is a great way to experience a new culture whilst earning some pennies to fund your adventures overseas. Taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) course at the beginning of your travels will give you all the skills necessary for a teaching job in your location of choice. And if you add a short language course to your TEFL course you really will be fully equipped for life in a foreign country!

Cactus TEFL offers combined language & TEFL courses in the following locations:

– Spanish & TEFL in Cusco, Peru

– Spanish & TEFL in Buenos Aires, Argentina

– Spanish, TEFL & Chill Out in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

– Spanish, TEFL & Chill Out in Barcelona, Spain

– Spanish & TEFL in Cadiz, Spain

– Portuguese & TEFL in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

– Portuguese & TEFL in Lisbon, Portugal

– Thai & TEFL in Pattaya, Thailand

– Khmer & TEFL in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

– Vietnamese & TEFL in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

English courses in Australia – how to choose your destination

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Currently, Cactus offers English courses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. All are vibrant, cosmopolitan cities but there are certainly differences between them.

Below are short summaries of what each city can offer, which may help any prospective students decide which to choose as their destination. 

Adelaide…

1. Has a fantastic arts scene, and is in fact known as the arts capital of Australia. It hosts a huge variety of exhibitions and events all year round.

2. Is said to offer a low-cost of living and a high quality of life – an enviable combination for anyone.

3. Is surrounded by some stunning scenery, with the Mount Lofty Ranges close by and some of Australia’s nicest beaches in the vicinity too.

4. Is well-known as a very multicultural city, and as such is very welcoming of foreigners. The multiculturalism is reflected in both the entertainment and restaurant scene too, which makes it an interesting place to be.

5. Is a very compact city, which makes it very easy for students to get around and means that no accommodation is ever too far from the school.

The school in Adelaide offers General, Intensive and Exam Preparation English courses at a variety of levels. It offers host family accommodation for students.

Brisbane… image

1. Is situated on the sub-tropical east coast of Australia and as such has one of the best climates in the country. It has hot summers and very mild winters, and lots of sunshine!

2. Has a real outdoor-focus and is fantastic for anyone who loves being outside and being active. Beaches, national parks and bush land are all within easy reach.

3. Has the amenities of a big city but has a nice, small-town feel and very friendly people.

4. Boasts a thriving entertainment scene, with a great selection of bars, restaurants, clubs and cinemas.

5. Benefits from a very relaxed lifestyle and a slower pace of life than other cities.

The school in Brisbane offers General, Intensive, Business and Exam Preparation English courses at a variety of levels. Students can choose between host family and residence accommodation.

Melbourne…. image

1. Is the second largest city in Australia and has the sophistication that you would expect of an economic and political centre.

2. Is often listed as one of the top three ‘most live-able cities’ in the world.

3. Has lots to offer in the way of history and culture. It has an array of exhibitions, museums and galleries and in 2008 was named a UNESCO City of Literature – only the second city in the world to receive this accolade.

4. Is known as a sporting centre, and has many sporting facilities, including Olympic Park and Melbourne Park. It also hosts the Australian Open Tennis Championships every year.

5. Offers opportunities for shopping, socializing and dining that are second-to-none. You will be spoilt for choice.

The school in Melbourne offers General, Individual, Combined and Intensive English courses at a range of levels. Students can stay in host-family accommodation.

Perth… image

1. Is famous for being the most remote city in the world, but this does have its benefits, including lots of space and friendly, welcoming communities.

2. Is located on the east coast, which means that it’s easier to get to and from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam. The flight times are a couple of hours less than if you were in other parts of Australia.

3. Is said to be the sunniest capital city in Australia with over three hundred days of sunshine. In fact, it is often called the ‘alfresco city’ given that inhabitants spend so much time outdoors.

4. Has beaches in and around the city which are counted amongst the best in the world. There are endless stretches of white sands and clear blue waters, which is simply paradise for beach lovers and surfers.

5. Offers a really laid-back atmosphere, with just as much importance placed on socialising and being outdoors as on working and studying.



The school in Perth offers General, Individual, Combined and Intensive English courses at a variety of levels. Students can choose between host family accommodation and a room in a shared apartment.

Sydney… image

1. Is pretty much unrivalled in its selection of cultural, historic and social offerings. It has something for everyone, no matter what their interests or tastes.

2. Is a really multicultural city, with a population that comprises people from all over the world. There is lots of on offer for international students especially.

3. Is often referred to in the same breath as the likes of London, Tokyo and New York, and it certainly has the same vibrancy and buzz as these other cosmopolitan and forward-thinking cities.

4. Has the best of both worlds in that it has all that you would expect from a large, urban city, but it also has some great beaches and lots of nice green parks.

5. Has a great transport network which makes it very easy to get around the city and visit each distinct area and its highlights.

The school in Sydney offers General and Exam Preparation English courses at a variety of levels. Students are offered host family accommodation.

Top 5 reasons to choose Fort Lauderdale as your English study destination

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There are plenty of good reasons to choose Fort Lauderdale as your study destination, but here are our top five.

1. A fantastic climate

Fort Lauderdale is located on the southwest coast of Florida, or the ‘Sunshine State’, as it’s also known. As its name suggests, Florida enjoys one of the nicest climates in America, with consistently sunny, warm weather. Fort Lauderdale itself has a tropical climate, with average monthly temperatures that are always higher than 18.0 °C (64.4°F).

2. Great beaches

Fort Lauderdale’s coastal location means that there are plenty of beaches in and around it to choose from. Some are bigger or busier than others, but all have lovely, white-sands and glistening turquoise waters. If you’re looking for a quieter, more rugged beach the Northern Beach Area between Oakland Park Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard are nice, whereas the South Beach Area offers proximity to shops, restaurants and clubs. Most beaches offer watersports options too, so anyone who likes activities such as snorkelling, diving and waterskiing will have plenty to keep them occupied.

3. Attractive surroundings

Of course, sunshine always makes cities look more attractive, but Fort Lauderdale’s appeal can’t be attributed solely to the sun that shines on it. Its popularity as a yachting centre means that it has an array of attractive marinas and boatyards, and it also boasts an expansive canal system, which explains why it’s called the ‘Venice of America’.

4. Good entertainment options

Fort Lauderdale has long been known as a party place, but these days it offers a more cosmopolitan and up-market entertainment scene than previously. The area around Las Olas Boulevard in particular has scores of bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. You’ll certainly never be stuck for something to do in the evenings or at the weekend in Fort Lauderdale.

5. A range of cultural offerings

Sometimes beach resorts can be somewhat lacking in the cultural stakes, but not Fort Lauderdale. The city has a fantastic range of cultural venues and events, including the Bass Museum of Art, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Old Dillard Cultural Arts Museum.

Fort Lauderdale really is a city with something for everyone, whether you like the arts, the beach, sports, shopping, or enjoying a nice evening meal with a glass of wine. There’s no wonder that it is said to offer one of the best standards of living in America, and that it has become so popular with tourists and students alike.

Please visit the Cactus Language website for details of courses, levels, prices, start dates and to book.

5 cheapest places to learn English in the US

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One-week general course (20 lessons per week)

Prices start from £229 for a 1 week course from 7th September 2010

1. New York Penn Plaza, New York Tribeca

2. New York Penn Station

3. Boston Campus, San Diego, San Diego (La Jolle), San Francisco, Seattle

4. New York Times Square, New York Soho, Boston City

5. San Francisco Downtown

One-week general course (20 lessons) + single room with a host family + breakfast + dinner

Prices start from £549 for a 1 week course from 7th September 2010

1. Seattle

2. San Diego

3. San Francisco, Boston Campus

4. San Francisco Downtown

5. New York Penn Station

One-week general course (20 lessons) + single room in a shared apartment or residence (no meals)

Prices start from £539 for a 1 week course from 7th September 2010

1. San Diego

2. New York Tribeca

3. Seattle, New York Penn Plaza

4. New York Soho

5. New York Grand Central

Please note: prices were correct at the time of writing, in July 2010, but are subject to fluctuation according to changing exchange rates.

Cactus offers a range of general, intensive, individual, combined and exam preparation courses all around the world. For full course listings, including prices, and to book please visit the Cactus Language website.

New York: 10 things you didn’t know about the Big Apple

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As if New York City wasn’t already the number one tourist destination in the US, generating billions for the economy, the city has unveiled a new campaign to promote even more tourism. The campaign aims to reach the widest audience ever for any city program, reaching out to other cities within the US including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston, and also on an international level to markets including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, France and Italy.

New York City’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) will be highlighted through a range of colorful, promotional activities covering outdoor, print and digital advertising, as well as promotional packages from leading business partners. It certainly seems that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s goal of 50 million visitors per year by 2012 – currently at 47.1 million in 2010 – is within grasp.

As it’s not hard to list New York’s highlights – and there are many of them, no doubt included in the promotional campaign – we thought we’d deviate from the norm and tell you a few things that you may not know about the city that never sleeps.

New York, New York…

1. New York City has ten sister cities including London, Madrid and Rome.

2. The city used to be called New Amsterdam, under Dutch rule, until it was re-claimed by the British and renamed.

3. New York City has the lowest crime rate among major American cities since 2005.

4. Buskers have to audition to play in the top subway spots in New York City! Given that over 150,000 people pass through a subway such as Times Square each day, a busker can earn a significant amount through loose change. So since 1985 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has held auditions, and the best are given 2-week permits to perform at prime spots on the platforms – even appearing at Carnegie Hall!

5. Legend has it that Washington Square Park, in Manhattan, used to be a site for public executions in the late 18th century. People were hanged from the elm trees and Hangman’s Elm still stands in the northwest corner of the park.

6. The name ‘Big Apple’ is said to date back to 1921, when it was used by horse racing writer John J. Fitz Gerald. He heard the term around the stables of New Orleans from riders aspiring to race in New York City, and used it in his articles for the New York Morning Telegraph.

7. If you want to eat cupcakes in true Sex & the City style, tingle your tastebuds with flavors ranging from chocolate peanut butter swirl to vanilla waffle topped with maple-syrup-dipped buttermilk fried chicken or Harry Potter-inspired Butterbeer, flavored with butterscotch and sprinkled with edible gold dust. It’s all a bit of a mouthful.

8. You can be fined $50 for placing your bag on an empty seat on the subway, as using more than one seat is unlawful – whether or not the train is full.

9. New York City’s 50,000 cabbies earn over $5.5 million each day between them.

10. Almost 40% of the city’s population is foreign-born, and some 170 languages are spoken here. 

Cactus runs English courses in New York and in other cities across the US and Canada. Courses are available from beginners to advanced and from one week upwards; business English courses, academic year courses and more are also available.

For those living in New York, Cactus runs foreign language evening courses and weekend crash courses in a variety of languages and at different levels.

Cactus becomes a Quality English agent

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The Quality English brand was established expressly to promote high quality English language schools and their courses to international students. As a result, all of the schools that make up Quality English are carefully selected for their high quality and excellent reputation.

The Quality English schools are located in English-speaking countries all over the world, and offer a wide range of study options that comprise both general and specialised courses. Quality control is paramount within the Quality English group, and to ensure this all schools and courses are regularly monitored through student feedback, agent references and accreditation results. These must all be of an excellent and consistent standard.

Gaining approval as an agent for Quality English is a testament to the professionalism and reputation of Cactus, and was only possible thanks to excellent references from our current partner schools.

We very much look forward to working in partnership with Quality English, and hope that having this extra string to our bow will assure prospective students of the high quality courses that they can expect when booking with Cactus.

Please visit the Quality English site for further details of their aims and requirements, and see the Cactus Language wesbite for listings of English courses worldwide.