Junior programs in the US

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The long summer vacation offers a wonderful opportunity for teens to do something worthwhile, and there are few who wouldn’t relish the opportunity to spend a few weeks on East or West Coast USA. Thanks to Cactus’ summer camps in the US, a fun-packed yet educational trip to the bright lights of New York or the sunshine coast of California could be just the answer.

Geared towards students aged 12-18 years, these programs have been specially designed to combine full-immersion English language tuition with a variety of creative workshops and cultural activities – all with others of the same age and in a truly international environment.

Currently available in New York (Brooklyn), Harvard, Yale and Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania / Penn), students can enjoy a secure and supervised environment in which to improve their English, take part in a range of fun activities and excursions, gain confidence inside and outside the classroom, and come back with friends for life.

Each setting, while delivering the same core benefits, offers something different for our younger learners. There is no denying the prestige and history of institutions like Yale, Harvard and Penn, all of which enjoy a global reputation for academic excellence. With ‘open town’ campuses and on-site residential accommodation, these locations are ideal for independent, mature learners. Students attending these camps also enjoy a superb choice of afternoon activities, ranging from the excellent ‘Skills for Life’ workshops and SAT Preparation sessions at Penn and Yale to an impressive list of sporting and social events at Harvard.

The set-up in Brooklyn differs in that it offers much more of a neighborhood, local feel. Classes take place in small groups in a small, private co-educational college and students are housed with safe and comfortable host families close to the school. But it’s the afternoon workshops that really encourage a community feel: all run by local Brooklyn-based providers, students here can try their hand at superb activities ranging from creative writing and drawing to tap dance and trapeze, to say nothing of numerous afternoon and evening excursions in which to practice the language in a relaxed environment and make friends. A nice touch to then round off the week is Friday assembly, in which students get together to perform and exhibit their work to each other, be this in the form of role plays, language learning games or art work.

It’s clear to see that a summer camp is way more than just sitting at a desk learning verbs; it is a unique chance for teenagers to learn, socialise and try their hand at a whole range of fun activities and useful skills – invariably returning refreshed and inspired, with a long list of new friends to visit in far flung places!

Junior Locations in the US – At a Glance

Brooklyn

• Junior summer course with host family, 14-18 years

• Also available as a day camp only

• College located in the heart of Brooklyn & all host families local

• 15 English lessons x 45 mins each week (class size 10 max)

• Homely, neighborhood feel with excellent creative workshops run by local providers

Harvard

• Junior summer residential course, 14-17 years

• Single or twin rooms with shared bathroom

• Campus 2 km from downtown Boston and walking distance to Cambridge

• 20 English lessons x 50 mins each week (class size 15 max)

• Minimum 11 activities per week, including 2 half days and 1 full-day excursion

Yale

• Junior summer residential course, 13-17 years

• Campus 10 minutes’ walk from downtown New Haven

• Single or twin rooms with shared bathroom

• 20 English lessons x 50 mins each week (class size 15 max)

• Students can choose between 5 ‘Skills for Life’ workshops or 5 SAT Preparation sessions

• Ideal for more ambitious, mature learners

Penn

• Junior summer residential course, 12-17 years

• Campus 20 minutes by trolley or bus from midtown Philadelphia

• Single or twin rooms with shared bathroom

• 20 English lessons x 50 mins each week (class size 15 max)

• Students can choose between 5 ‘Skills for Life’ workshops or 5 SAT Preparation sessions

• Ideal for more ambitious, mature learners

Cactus specialises in organising language courses for individuals and groups, having done so since 1999 for clients all over the globe and for diverse needs and budgets. Our expertise in the field of face-to-face tuition is second-to-none. With an extensive network of approved teachers and a strong in-house academic team, we are able to tailor a language course to suit your specific learning needs, anywhere in the world and whenever is convenient to you.

We offer language courses for Under 18s in many languages and locations across the world.

Top 5 French course destinations this spring

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Cactus offers locations within France and Canada where you can take a French course, but these are our pick of the top five for springtime study.

1. Paris

As one of the world’s most iconic cities, Paris is a hugely popular tourist destination. Unfortunately, as is the case with any such city, the prices reflect its popularity and throughout the summer they are especially high. Spending time in Paris during the spring is therefore a much better idea – the weather will be warm, the trees and parks will be nice and green, there’ll be far fewer crowds and best of all, you won’t have to pay through the nose. A light spring evening, a large glass of wine and a prime people-watching spot on a café terrace…what more could you want at the end of a day of French lessons?

More on French courses in Paris

2. Annecy

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Annecy has got to be one of France’s most picturesque towns, with its turquoise lake and stunning mountain backdrop. In the summer Annecy attracts thousands of visitors who come to swim in the lake or hike in the surrounding countryside, and in the winter it’s a great base for skiers and snowboarders, so the spring is one of the less busy (and therefore less expensive) times of year. By April most of the low lying snow will have melted, making hiking and biking possible, but anyone who fancies spending a day or two on the slopes might be lucky and still get a few days in higher up in the mountains.

More on French courses in Annecy

3. Tours

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A beautiful city located in the heart of France’s chateaux-filled Loire Valley, Tours is known as the “garden of France”. Despite its attractive surroundings, the title actually comes from the large number of parks in the city, and what better place to watch the seasons change and the green return than here? Outside of lessons you’ll be able to experience all that this historic city has to offer, and visit the pretty surrounding area with its fairytale castles and endless vineyards.

More on French courses in Tours

4. Nice

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Located on France’s up-market Riviera, Nice has long been a favourite with holidaymakers from all over Europe. Its unique blue waters and lovely climate make it a great place to relax and un-wind, but often there are lots of other people with the same idea! To enjoy the weather and surroundings without the crowds, the best time to go is probably April or May, when you get the best of both worlds. If you take a course a French course in May, you’ll be able to enjoy ‘La Fête de Mai’, which takes place every Sunday in the month and includes a series of free events, and refreshments featuring locally produced food.

More on French courses in Nice

5. Bordeaux

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It’s great to visit Bordeaux in the spring time. The vineyards surrounding the city are full of colour, the weather is pleasant and as it’s still within term time, you’ll get a really authentic experience of life in this lively university city. You’ll also get chance to explore all the usual tourist sites, but without the crowds and the queues, and you’ll probably also benefit from cheaper air or rail fares when you book your travel there and back. Events taking place in the city include the Escale du Livre, a well-known book fair that is held around the Place Renaudel in March, and the Bordeaux Spring Fair which is held from late April to early May on central Place de Quinconces – in close proximity to both of our French schools in Bordeaux.

More on French courses in Bordeaux

Please visit the Cactus Language website for full listings of French courses and to book.

German Courses: Hamburg – Why It’s a Great Place to Learn

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In actual fact, Hamburg (formally known as the ‘Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg’) is Germany’s second largest city, both in terms of size and overall population. The port of Hamburg is the central hub for trade with Eastern and Northern Europe. As a container port, Hamburg holds second place in Europe and seventh place in the world.

Perhaps a lesser known fact, Hamburg has over 2,300 bridges – more than Venice and Amsterdam combined!

Although traditionally an important centre for trade, Hamburg is now a real media hub, and also has a thriving tourist industry. Popular amongst visitors to the city are:

– the harbour (Hamburg’s oldest and liveliest area)

– the Speicherstadt area in the east of the city, and its ornate warehouses

– the nightlife centre of St Pauli and the Reeperbahn (Hamburg’s infamous red light district)

– the weekly fish market (Fischmarkt) that takes place on the waterfront

– the impressive town hall (Rathaus), located in the commercial district

Hamburg is a very cosmopolitan place, and is home to many students who attend the large university there. If you’re looking for a place with oodles of history and culture, and fantastic nightlife to boot, look no further.

Cannes: Top 5 reasons to visit (in English / en français)

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Cannes – English Version

This year the 66th Cannes Film Festival takes place from the 15th to the 26th of May 2013. During this international event, Cannes shows to the world all the luxury and glamour that characterise it, but the city is much more than glittery celebrities making an appearance on the red carpets. It is also an awesome place to stay, and to study French!

1/ Cannes is a very dynamic and entertaining city. It is known to be the capital of cinema, and it hosts all kinds of well-known international events, from dance and music to pyrotechnics. Moreover, it is easy and pretty quick to reach other nice cities such as Nice, Antibes, Monaco or even St Tropez by train.

2/ Cannes’ beaches offer fine sand and azure-blue sea over more than 7 km. There are public beaches, such as La Bocca and Mourre Rouge, and more urban private beaches like the one on Boulevard Jean Hibert or La Croisette, the most famous Cannes beach front. And the city is sun-kissed most of the year, which is very attractive for those who appreciate ‘le farniente’, or chilling out in the sunshine.

3/ The Lérins Islands are worth the trip. Saint-Honorat Island is owned by monastery monks who are used to organising wine tasting sessions for visitors. The latter will also enjoy the protected natural environment and the calmness of the 16-century-old abbey.

Sainte-Marguerite Island is bigger and offers a beautiful forest with eucalyptus and pines, amazing beaches and a sea looking like the Caribbean one. This island is mostly famous for the old state prison Fort Royal, where the enigmatic Man in the iron mask was incarcerated.

4/ Cannes receives many visitors from all over the globe, and tourists like sailing along the coast and then dropping anchor in one of the ports. Pierre Canto Marina is the most illustrious port in Cannes, and forms a part of the history of the city.

5/ Cannes’ old town is full of great independent French boutiques, typical and luxury shops, museums, flower and food markets, and flea markets throughout the year. The Suquet old town and its residential area are also worth the visit.

Cactus runs a Summer Course for Juniors in Cannes, as well as French courses for adults in the nearby towns of Antibes and Nice.

Cannes – en français

Cette année le 66ème Festival de Cannes se déroulera du 15 au 26 mai 2013. Lors de cet événement international, Cannes expose au monde tout le luxe et le glamour qui le caractérisent, mais la ville est bien davantage que des personnalités flamboyantes faisant une apparition sur des escaliers rouges. C’est aussi un endroit grandiose où séjourner, et où étudier le français!

1/ Cannes est une ville très dynamique et divertissante. Elle est réputée pour être la capitale du cinéma, et c’est un lieu accueillant toutes sortes d’événements renommés, qu’il s’agisse de danse, de musique ou de pyrotechnie. De plus, il est facile et plutôt rapide d’atteindre d’autres agréables villes telles que Nice, Antibes, Monaco ou même St Tropez en train.

2/ Les plages de Cannes offrent du sable fin et une mer bleu-azur sur plus de 7km. Il y a des plages publiques, comme La Bocca et Mourre Rouge, et des plages plus urbaines comme celle sur le Boulevard Jean Hibert ou comme La Croisette, la plage la plus connue de Cannes. Et la ville est baignée de soleil la plupart de l’année, ce qui est très attrayant pour ceux qui aiment le farniente.

3/ Les îles Lérins valent le détour. L’île Saint-Honorat est la propriété de moines monastiques qui ont l’habitude d’organiser des dégustations de vin pour les visiteurs. Ces derniers apprécieront le cadre de la nature protégée et le calme de l’abbaye, vieille de 16 siècles.

L’île Sainte-Marguerite est plus grande et dispose d’une magnifique forêt d’eucalyptus et de pins, de plages saisissantes et d’une mer semblable à celle des Caraïbes. Cette île est surtout réputée pour la vieille prison Fort Royal, où l’énigmatique Homme au masque de fer fut incarcéré.

4/ Cannes est une ville hautement touristique à l’international, et les touristes aiment naviguer le long de la côte puis jeter l’ancre dans un des ports. Le port de plaisance Pierre Canto est le plus connu à Cannes, et fait partie de l’histoire de la ville.

5/ La vieille ville de Cannes abonde de remarquables boutiques françaises indépendantes, de magasins traditionnels et de luxe, de musées, de marchés gastronomiques et de fleurs, et de brocantes tout le long de l’année. Le Suquet et son quartier résidentiel valent aussi la visite.

Test your French by reading this fantastic guide to Toulouse (en français / in English)

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Read what Cactus’ Cecile Sargueux has to say about her home town…and if you get stuck see the English version below.

La Ville Rose de France – ce qui fait de Toulouse une formidable destination d’études

Toulouse, capitale de la région Midi-Pyrénées, est une ville des plus pittoresques du sud de la France, où il fait bon vivre en toutes saisons.

C’est une ville universitaire attractive et historique, mais qui est aussi renommée en technologie de pointe – une des principales attractions est la Cité de L’espace, un parc à thème scientifique et éducatif basé sur l’astronomie.

Culture et Gastronomie

Les 440 000 habitants de Toulouse sont pour la plupart fiers de la culture unique de l’Occitanie, appelée aussi le Pays d’Oc (Occitan: lo País d’Òc). Cette culture commune s’étend sur tout le sud de la France, et tire ses origines de la culture espagnole, italienne et française combinées. L’Occitanie révèle toute sa beauté à travers la population, la langue, les édifices, et évidemment la nourriture!

C’est une ville hautement culturelle avec de nombreux musées exposant par exemple son héritage Cathare. De plus, des expositions d’art, des festivals et des concerts ont lieu toute l’année dans la métropole. Par ailleurs, des marchés sont organisés chaque semaine, offrant un large choix de nourriture typique de la région, tels que pain, saucisses, fruits et légumes frais etc.

Quant à la gastronomie, Toulouse regorge de plats typiques. Il faut mentionner le cassoulet, le confit de canard, les saucisses de Toulouse, les champignons, les produits issus de la fleur de Violette (bonbons, confiture…) etc. Le dessert traditionnel est le Fenêtra, un gâteau à base de pâte d’amandes, d’abricot et de citron. La boisson typique est l’Armagnac, la plus ancienne eau de vie du Sud Ouest.

Architecture et sites historiques

La particularité de la ville est que chaque bâtiment est construit à partir de briques rouges/ roses, dont le teint varie avec le soleil!  De plus, la Ville Rose, comme elle est communément appelée, détient de nombreux monuments répertoriés par l’UNESCO, tels que le Canal du Midi ou l’église St Sernin. La place principale est la place du Capitole où le symbole de l’Occitanie, une croix à douze pointes, est gravé au sol avec un signe astrologique à chacune des pointes.

Population et mode de vie

Il y a plus de 100 000 étudiants à Toulouse, qui représente ainsi la 3ème plus importante ville universitaire de France. Le soir, la ville reste dynamique et chaleureuse, et les bars et rues sont souvent bondés toute la nuit durant, surtout lorsque le climat est doux. La journée, les Toulousains aiment déambuler dans les rues du centre ville, ou bien le long de la Garonne. Ils apprécient aussi le fait de s’asseoir à la terrasse d’un café, ou dans une des nombreuses places de la ville.

Peut-être est-ce dû au climat tempéré de la région, mais l’art de vivre de Toulouse est résolument différent du reste de la France. L’accent chantant va de pair avec la nature joyeuse des Toulousains, qui sont réputés en France pour être des gens amicaux, francs et souvent à sang chaud.

Ceux qui sont nés à Toulouse la considèrent souvent comme leur « ville de cœur », et par conséquent ne voudraient jamais la quitter. Le célèbre chanteur français Claude Nougaro en est un exemple, lui qui fut né à Toulouse, et qui avait l’habitude de chanter pour sa ville bien-aimée…

ENGLISH VERSION

France’s ‘pink city’ – what makes Toulouse a great study destination

Toulouse, the capital of the French region of “Midi-Pyrénées”, is one of the most colourful cities in the south of France, where the weather is nice all year round.

It’s an attractive, historical university town but is actually also well-know for state-of-the-art technology – one of the city’s main attractions is La Cité de L’espace, a technological and educative theme park based on astronautics.

Culture and gastronomy

Toulouse’s 440 000 inhabitants are proud of the unique culture of the “Occitanie” territory, also called the Oc Country (Occitan: lo País d’Òc). The common culture of Occitanie is found throughout the whole of southern France, and is made up of Spanish, Italian and French influences. L’Occitanie reveals all its beauty through the people, the language, the monuments and obviously, the food!

It is a highly cultural city, with lots of museums exhibiting, for instance, the Cathare heritage of Toulouse. And many art exhibitions, festivals and concerts take place throughout the year in the city. In addition, big markets are organised every week, offering a wide range of typical food of the region, including bread, sausages, fresh fruits or vegetables.

When it comes to gastronomy, Toulouse offers lots of delicious specialities. Included amongst these are Cassoulet, confit of duck, Toulouse sausages, mushrooms, and products made from the violet flower (candies, jam…) etc. The typical dessert is the Fenetra, a marzipan, apricot and lemon cake. The typical beverage is Armagnac, the oldest ‘eau de vie’ of the South west.

Architecture and historical sites

The particularity of the town is that every building is built with pink/red bricks, whose shade varies with the sun! Moreover “La Ville Rose”, as it is commonly known, has plenty of monuments which are classified by UNESCO, such as the Canal du Midi or the St Sernin Church. The main square is La Place du Capitole where the symbol of Occitanie, a twelve point cross, is engraved on the floor with a birth sign at each corner.

People and lifestyle

There are more than 100 000 students in Toulouse, which makes it the 3rd largest university town in France. It is a very lively and warm city by night, where bars and streets are often busy all night long, mainly when the weather is mild. During the day the “Toulousains” like to saunter around the town centre streets, or along the beautiful river – La Garonne. They also love sitting at a table outside a café, or in one of the many squares.

Perhaps due to the balmy climate of the region, the way of life in Toulouse is different from all other cities in France. The melodic accent goes hand to hand with the happy nature of the Toulousains, who are well-known in France to be friendly, frank and warm-blooded people.

Those who are native to Toulouse often consider it a town that belongs to their heart, and as a result they would never want to leave. An example is famous French singer Claude Nougaro, who was born in Toulouse and who used to sing for his beloved city…

Cactus Language offer French language courses in the UK, New York, France and Canada!

 

10 little-known facts about Costa Rica

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Here are ten little-known facts about this small but fascinating Central American country:

1. Costa Rica is bordered by Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west and the south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

2. Costa Rica has subtropical as well as tropical climates. The dry season in Costa Rica runs from December to April, while the rainy season is usually from May to November. December is the wettest month on the Caribbean coast.

3. The highest mountain in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripo, a volcanic mountain that stands 3,810 metres tall.

4. Costa Rica is a democratic republic. The country has enjoyed around sixty years of uninterrupted democracy, which is much longer than many other countries in Latin America.

5. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females).

6. The Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s national tree and the clay-colored thrush is the national bird. The national flower is the guaria morada, a type of orchid.

7. Unlike many of their Central American neighbours, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European descent. However, an estimated 10% -15% of the population is Nicaraguan, of fairly recent arrival. Few of the native Indians survived European conquests and the indigenous population today is estimated to make up less than 1% of the total population.

8. Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces – San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.

9. Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though it constitutes than 0.5% of the planet’s total surface. There are more than 850 species of birds, 220 species of reptiles and 9,000 types of plants in the country.

10. More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.

Cactus currently offers Spanish courses in Colonial Heredia & Playa Samara, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio and San Jose.

10 reasons to learn English in Dublin

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Below are some of the top reasons to choose Dublin as your English study destination.

1. Friendly people and a unique culture

Irish people are famous the world over for their open and friendly nature, and Dublin is no exception. Local people will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and will love teaching you about their city, their customs and the culture that is so unique to the ‘Emerald Isle’. Integral to the traditional Irish way of life is family, religion and music and dance, and the same importance is still attached to these aspects of life today. Irish people tend to be very proud of their celtic roots, and the traditional music that is still played so widely around the country very much reflects this.

2. A fun-loving city with a lively atmosphere

Dublin is well known for its nightlife, in particular the area around Temple Bar, and outside of lessons you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practise your English in the city’s bars and restaurants and experience what the Irish call the ‘craic’ (fun). Going out in Dublin can be expensive, but the ‘inside’ knowledge you’ll gain from staff at the school or the host family you stay with will mean that you can avoid the tourist traps and head to the less expensive and more authentic places.

3. Standard English with a nice accent

A standard form of English is used in most of Ireland, although it is spoken with a soft accent that many people consider to be one of the nicest in the English-speaking world. The accent that you’ll hear in Dublin is easier to understand than some of the others in Ireland, and you’ll enjoy listening to it – if you’re lucky you might even pick it up!

4. Small enough to get around easily

For a capital city, Dublin is relatively small in size, which makes it really easy to get around. Much of the city centre can be explored on foot, and if you want to venture further out of the city into the suburbs or the surrounding towns and villages there’s a really good network of buses and trams to get you where you need to go. Dublin also now has its own bike-sharing scheme, whereby anyone over the age of 14 can pick up a rental bike from one of the 42 stations around the city – it’s a really quick and easy way to get around, and you can choose a long term hire card (10 euro) or a 3-day card (2 euro).

5. The same currency as many European countries

For European students who want to learn English, Dublin can be a great option in that the currency in Ireland is the Euro. Not only will you have to get used to using a foreign currency, it will also save you having to incur fees exchanging money before you go and during your stay.

6. Easy access to and from Europe, the Americas and the Middle East

Dublin has its own international airport just outside of the city where you can take flights to and from all kinds of cities in Europe, America, Canada and the Middle East. There are scores of airlines that operate from the airport, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Aer Arann and Germanwings, with whom you can get inexpensive flights if you book in advance.

7. Lots of events and attractions to enjoy image

Quite simply, you will never be short of things to do in Dublin. The city is home to an array of entertainment and sporting venues, including O2 and Grand Canal Theatre for gigs and concerts and Croke Park and Landsdown Road stadiums for domestic and international sports events. Dublin also hosts several festivals each year, including the fantastic St Patricks Day celebrations in March and many more cultural and literary festivals throughout the year. As the capital city of Ireland and the seat of Irish parliament there are plenty of grand buildings and monuments to enjoy, including Customs House and the old university buildings of Trinity College and University College Dublin. And of course, there’s the world-famous Guinness factory, a piece of history in its own right and one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions!

8. A long and interesting history to explore

Dublin has a really long history that dates back to the 10th century. Over the centuries the city changed hands several times, and saw some bloody battles – perhaps the most severe during the revolution of 1919-1921, which resulted in the establishment of the Irish Free State. There is a huge amount to learn about Dublin (and Ireland’s) history in the city, which you can get by visiting museums such as the National Museum of Ireland (Archeology, Decorative Arts and History and Natural History), the National Leprechaun Museum and the James Joyce Museum. James Joyce was by no means the only successful writer or poet to come out of Dublin – also counted amongst Dublin’s greats are Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, WB Yeats and Seamus Heaney.

9. Attractive surroundings and nice architecture image

Dublin enjoys a fantastic location at the head of a lovely bay and close to hills and mountains. There’s a range of sandy beaches where you can enjoy nice walks and picnics in the summer, and to the south of the city lie the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, which provide some great hiking opportunities and some lovely views of the city.

Within Dublin itself there are some lovely squares and parks, but one of the city’s finest features is its architecture. In addition to its splendid public buildings, Dublin has lots of 18th century architecture, including impressive Georgian mansions, many of them with historical association. It’s the southeast area of the city centre, around Baggot Street, Merrion Square and Fitzwiliam Square, where most of the original townhouses remain.

10. A great base from which to explore the rest of Irelandimage

As the principal city in Ireland, Dublin has by far the best transport links to other cities and areas of the country. Should you wish to take a day or weekend trip to Cork, Waterford, Galway or Limerick for example, you would be able to take a train or bus direct from Dublin and be there within a couple of hours at the most.

Cactus offers a range of English courses in Dublin, including General, Intensive, Individual and Combined English. Also available are Juniors English courses, Teacher Refresher courses and a range of Exam Preparation courses. For full listings of courses in Dublin and Ireland, please visit the Cactus Language website.

Cactus Staff Review: Portuguese course in Lisbon

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When I decided to take a Portuguese course, I was hesitating between going back to Brazil, which I already know and love, and going to discover Portugal. Brazil was more tempting for obvious reasons but in the end Portugal won as it was closer and cheaper to fly to, especially for one week only. So I headed off to Lisbon, which I chose over the Algarve as I thought that at this time of the year – October – there would be more people to meet and more things to do. Read more →

Why study English in New York?

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In my case, although there are a lot of Koreans in New York, I chose to come here to learn English. I was studying English in Florida and Hawaii because I was worried that I would not have as many opportunities to practise my English in New York, due to the number of Koreans studying here. However, my opinion has changed since I moved to New York.  The number of Koreans did not make a difference for me and in my opinion, it is better to learn English in New York than any other city in the U.S.A. Read more →

My Visit to the Capuchin Crypt and Church in Brno, Czech Republic

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I once visited Czech Republic’s second city, Brno. It is largely ignored next to big brother Prague, yet has some beautiful architecture and very friendly welcoming people who are not so fatigued by an endless onslaught of tourists as is the case in the capital.

Although I was there to visit a new school, I was told I simply had to visit the Capuchin Crypt on Capuchin Square near the Cabbage Market.

What I encountered there was not entirely what I had expected. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of architecture, and the Baroque churches across Czech Republic, as elsewhere, boast some of the finest examples. The issue was more with the very-much-on-display contents of the crypt.

Thanks to a rare permutation of natural ventilation and a particular soil type, it became apparent many years ago that when the dead were laid to rest there, their bodies did not turn to bone as usual, but rather were mummifying. All fine and good. A curious quirk of nature. And entertaining as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom may be in the comfort of a warm cinema and good company, when you’re in a real crypt, with dim lighting and that cool mummifying air whispering down your neck, and all the other visitors leave so that you’re the only one there, suddenly the reality of being outnumbered about 80 to 1 by the desiccated dead with contorted faces screaming silently at you, becomes the stuff of horror films and your worst nightmares. Needless to say I paid my respects and scarpered.

If you, like Richard, are planning a visit to the Czech Republic, why not learn Czech with Cactus?