How to Choose Your Study Abroad Program

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When choosing to study abroad there are many things that go through your head – is it worth it? Will I really learn the language? Can I get enough course credit? All these questions and anxieties are completely normal and ultimately important to your decision making.

The first thing you should do if you are looking to study abroad outside of your home University program is to meet with your school advisor about what you want to do and what you want to achieve. The most important part of your education abroad is that you are rewarded not only in the experience but for the work you did while you were there.

Every University has a different list of criteria for issuing US credit for the courses you take abroad, so before booking a course you should always consult with your advisor on how many hours you’ll need to complete and what type of courses you’ll need to take to not only get the experience you want but the course credit you need.

By confirming the amount of hours you need to complete and having a detailed list of the documents you need from the institution aboard to submit to your home University, you will be well on your way to making your study abroad experience happen. Having this information at the beginning of your search will help you determine which program in which location is the best for you and allow you to make the best decision more efficiently.

Once you have that information, it comes down to how much time you can commit to studying abroad and how many credits you ultimately want to receive. Do you have a week, a summer, or a whole semester? Do you need 12 credits or just 3? Here’s a breakdown of types of study abroad programs and what will work best according to your goals:

Winter and Spring Break

If you want to make the most of the few weeks you have off for winter or spring break there are plenty of options around the globe. The best option for this short period of time would be an Intensive Language Course or a Combined Language Course. These courses are 30 lessons (25-30 hours) per week and focus on advancing your language skills as quickly as possible in the short amount of time that you are there. The standard rule is that 45 contact hours equals 3 credits, so take 2 weeks of the Intensive or Combined course and there’s a solid chance your University will issue you the credits for your time abroad

Summer

Doing a study abroad program in the summer is a great way to make sure you take enough hours of a course to gain the credit you need while still allowing you a varied amount of programs to choose from. You can take a Spanish and Mayan History Course in Merida, a Language and Culture course in Paris or Aix, a German and Music course in Vienna, or a Japanese and Traditional Culture course in Fukuoka, Japan. These courses will not only advance your language skills in a short time period but give you extra elements to the course to provide your home university with good reason for issuing you more course credits.

Semester

If you’re going abroad for an entire semester, it’s most important that you focus on a program that offers you variety to allow you to get the most credits for your time abroad. The reality is that if you’re looking for a whole semester of credit, taking just a language course won’t be enough. Focus on the programs that offer language courses as well as cultural courses so you can get a well rounded academic semester. A good example of this is the semester program in Malaga, which offers a Spanish course as well as courses on Spanish history, literature, economy, and media. Taking this type of program will not only make your time more enjoyable, but will make it much easier to transfer credit upon your return when you are able to present varied course syllabi and assignments for approval.

Ultimately, the options are endless, but the more organized you are about your goals with study abroad, the more likely you are to gain the credit you need and make the most out of the experience.

Still need advice? Feel free to contact us for information on possibilities and programs.

Top 10 things to see and do in Québec City

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Although Québec’s mixed heritage and geographical location has made it largely bi-lingual, French remains the clear the language of choice, and there are several types of French language course available in the city. Anyone who chooses to take a language course there will be spoilt for choice when it comes to free-time activities, but here are our recommendations for ten great ways to fill your time.

1. Take a walk around Vieux Québec (Old Québec)

The historic part of Québec City dates back to the 17th Century. The upper part, referred to as ‘Upper Town’ (Haute-ville) is walled with ramparts and makes Québec the only remaining walled city north of Mexico in the Americas.

The lower part of the old city, referred to as ‘Lower Town’ (Basse-ville), contains the historic church Notre-Dame des Victoires and a variety of shopping options in very old and attractive buildings.

2. Visit the Morrin Centre

Built over 200 years ago as the city’s first prison, this unique place now contains one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Visitors can walk through jail cells and browse the array of books in the attractive Victorian library. The centre also stages various productions, concerts, readings and lectures, many of which are in English.

3. Go to see the Basilique Cathedrale – Notre-Dame-de-Québec

Originally built in 1647, the Basilica-Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec has twice been destroyed by fire, but always rebuilt on its original site. Guests can take guided tours of the basilica and its crypt, which is the final resting place of former bishops of the Québec diocese and four Québec governors.

Schedules for self-guided visits and guided visits vary based on season and day, but entrance to the Basilica-Cathedral is free.

4. Head out to the Montmorency Falls Park/Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

Located just a few minutes from Old Québec, the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is a fantastic place to visit. There are numerous things to see there, including the elegant Manoir Montmorency and a waterfall that is actually one-and-a-half times higher than Niagara Falls! There’s also a cable car which offers stunning views over the city.

5. Visit the Chateau Frontenac image

The Chateau Frontenac is probably Québec City’s most iconic landmark. Designed by architect Bruce Price for the Canadian Pacific Railway company, the hotel opened in 1893 and has since become the most photographed hotel in the world. It is now part of the prestigious Fairmont group, but you don’t have to be a guest to go in and take a look around.

6. Explore the Quartier du Petit Champlain

Set at the foot of the cliff below Chateau Frontenac, this area dates back to the mid-17th century, and is said to be the oldest commercial district in North America. With its narrow streets and unique boutiques, galleries and bistros, it’s an attractive area which is particularly nice to visit in the winter.

7. Take in some lovely views from the Terrasse Dufferin

Terrasse Dufferin is a beautiful terrace along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, built in 1879 under the direction of Lord Dufferin. The walkway extends for a long way down the St. Lawrence River, and offers stunning views of the city and the river. In the summer months the terasse becomes a hub for street entertainers, giving it an extra buzz.

8. Visit the Citadel

Located on the heights of Cap-Aux-Diamants overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Citadel of Québec is a fortified enclosure of 37 acres built in a star-shaped plan. It is a military installation and official residence and is part of the fortifications of Québec City.

9. Discover the Musée de la Civilisation

Located close to Place Royale, in the old part of the city, this museum is known as an innovative and unique place where the focus is on participation and interaction. There, you’ll get a dynamic outlook on all of human experience in its whole, and on civilizations from all over the world.

10. Go to the Plains of Abraham (Battlefields Park)

The Plains of Abraham lie to the west of the old city overlooking the St Lawrence River.  It’s a historic area where the Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place in 1759, in which the British defeated the French for control of the city.

In 1908, the law creating the National Battlefields Commission (NBC) was sanctioned to highlight and preserve this site, unique in the world not only because of its size and geographic location, but also because of its historical role. The Battlefields Park, which groups together the Plains of Abraham and the Des Braves Park, was developed in memory of both French and British soldiers and these days offers a vast and pleasant space for inhabitants and visitors to enjoy.

Cactus offers a range of French courses in Québec City and Montreal, at a variety of levels. For full details, or to book, please visit https://www.cactuslanguage.com.

Top 10 Christmas gifts for language and travel enthusiasts in North America

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1. A language course

Language courses make not only a very useful, but also a very original present for any friend/relative/partner who is interested in learning or brushing up a foreign language. There are hundreds of languages to choose from, and lots of ways to learn – evening courses in the US, immersion courses abroad, or even tailor-made tuition. Give us a call on 1-888-577-8451 (US toll free) for more information.

2. Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2012’

A great book for any keen traveler, this guide presents the best destinations, journeys and experiences for 2012. Full of inspiration!

3. Lessons in foreign cooking

Anyone who has visited foreign shores will have tasted new and exotic flavors. Bring some Mexican spice into the life of a loved one by presenting them with a Spanish & Cookery course on Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya, in Playa del Carmen, where they will learn how to create some of Mexico’s most delicious dishes in an exotic garden kitchen.

4. Contribution to air travel

If you know someone with impending travel plans, why not help them out with the cost of their flight, or even buy the flight for them? Air travel is not cheap and any contribution will surely be gratefully received.

5. A pocket translator

Anyone who is travelling to countries where foreign languages are spoken could find a pocket translator very useful in a whole range of situations…

6. Downloadable language learning tools for your iPod

If free time is in short supply, a flexible and convenient way to learn a language is to download learning materials on to your MP3 player or iPod. With iTunes vouchers and the like, your friend or relative can download as much material as they like.

7. A travel journal

Lots of people like to write a journal while they travel, and it’s a great way to ensure that once-in-a-lifetime experiences overseas are never forgotten. A leather-bound journal to write in will make a great gift for anyone about to embark on world travels.

8. A charity donation in their name

Donating money to a charity is something that a lot of people would like to do, but is not something that everyone can feasibly afford. Making a donation on their behalf therefore might make a fantastic present. Donations to charities such as World Vision and UNICEF can be made via the Donation4Charity website.

9. A dictionary / phrasebook

They may not be as exciting as downloadable podcasts and other online resources, but dictionaries, verb tables and phrase books are an essential tool for anyone hoping to learn a language.

10. A TEFL course

Gaining a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification is a great idea for anyone wanting to get out there and see the world. Teaching opportunities exist worldwide, and working in this type of capacity means that you can truly experience the culture of the country in which you are teaching. If this is something that your friend/partner/relative is interested in, why not book them on a weekend and online TEFL course in the location closest to you? New York, San Francisco and Boston are just a few of the locations where such courses are available.

Get the year off to a cracking start with an evening language course in North America

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* New courses start January 10th onwards in locations across the US & Canada *

1. Cactus is welcoming in 2012 with courses in 16 languages and 6 locations across the US and Canada, so there really is something for everyone! Choose from Boston, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto or Vancouver.

2. Learning a language is an excellent resolution as it will give you a skill that will last way longer than the average resolution – and one that will come in handy on vacation later in the year!

3. If you’ve had a hectic festive season, then it’s proven that giving your brain a workout is the perfect way to de-stress. Learning a language stimulates your mind, stretches your imagination and, ultimately, helps your brain to relax…in fact it can be as effective at reducing stress as opening a bottle of wine.

4. If you’ve decided to de-tox in January then going to an evening language class – and doing home study during the week, if you’re diligent – will take your mind off going out. It will also save you from spending money!

5. We have improved our levels structure so you can be sure of a consistent teaching framework that falls in line with other internationally-recognized language level systems. So what you learn on our courses will be more easily recognized outside of Cactus.

6. When times are tight employers will be looking for that little extra in job applicants. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in itself, but it also shows initiative and an appreciation of other cultures, which is valuable in today’s global society.

7. Learning a language enhances your ability to learn in other ways too. If you need a kick-start after the Christmas break, learning a language will encourage cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility, creativity, problem-solving and reasoning.

8. There are some excellent foreign language movies coming out in 2012, and there’s no better way to appreciate them than with an understanding of the language and culture. Here are 10 foreign language movies to rent on DVD in 2012.

9. With a reduced number of children learning a language at school in 2011, let’s lead by example and show that learning a language is a passport to other cultures and a huge asset when you travel.

10. Let’s face it, January can be a bit depressing sometimes. The excitement of Christmas is over, yet the days are still short and the weather can be miserable. If there was ever a time to take an evening course it’s now. Having a goal such as learning a language will make the weeks pass quickly and make you feel that you’re using the dark evenings productively!

Cactus runs evening and part-time language courses in centers across the US and Canada. Courses run on regular start dates throughout the year, starting in January.

Why choose Montreal as your French study destination?

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Located in Canada’s eastern province of Quebec, Montreal is the largest French-speaking city outside of Paris. It has gained a reputation as a hugely diverse and vibrant city with an energy and liberalism that makes it a brilliant place to live, or visit.

It doesn’t stop there though; there are lots of other factors that make Montreal a great choice for taking a French course:

1. Huge focus on culture and festivals

These days, Montreal has a reputation as a creative and cultural city with an arts scene that is second-to-none. The huge array of nationalities in Montreal has turned it into a real melting-pot of cultures, with a unique character that is all-embracing and liberal. It’s a city that enjoys the modernity, efficiency and stature of North American hubs, but the joie de vivre and the tradition of European centres.

Throughout the year Montreal plays host to three world-renowned arts festivals – the Jazz Festival in June, the Comedy Festival in July and the Film Festival in September, although all year round you’ll find a range of cultural events to enjoy.

2. Interesting history

It’s often said that a visit to Old Montréal is like going back in time—it’s an open-air museum of French and British architecture dating back centuries.

The city boasts a really interesting history spanning hundreds of years that centred largely around colonisation. Until 1535, Montreal had been inhabited by the Iroquois, but the arrival of French explorer Jacques Cartier spelled the start of a new era. In the early 1600’s, the French colonised the island on which Montreal sits, and the main city (now Montreal) was named Ville Marie.

After the defeat of the French colonists by the British in the 18th century, Montreal was occupied and ‘claimed’ by Great Britain. The British did not expel the French from the island though, and they were able to continue to live there as subjects of the British Empire. Despite being conquered by the British, French Montrealers continued to prosper and by the late 19th century Montreal was the largest city in British North America and the main city of Canada. Annexation of neighbouring towns at the start of the 20th century changed Montreal back to a mostly Francophone city.

Museums to visit in Montreal include the Chateau Ramezay Museum, a former governor’s residence where you can learn about the history of Montréal and Québec, and the Centre d’Exposition La Prison-des-Patriotes, which recalls the Patriot rebellions of 1837 and 1838.

3. Great restaurants and nightlife

Montreal is famed for its gastronomic offerings, with a huge range of restaurants serving all kinds of food. The region is especially famous for being the main producer region of maple syrup, although you’ll also find cheeses, cold meats and breads in abundance – elements of the Gallic culture that you’d expect to be integral in any western French-speaking region!

As well as the many restaurants and bars in Montreal, you’ll also find endless bars and clubs for evening entertainment. The city’s fun-loving reputation is well-deserved, and you’ll be guaranteed a good night!

4. Stunning scenery

It would be wrong to judge a city solely on aesthetics, but this is an area in which Montreal will definitely not disappoint. Of course, it has the skyscrapers of any North American city, which are not to everyone’s taste, but Montreal’s modern constructions actually earned it the title of UNESCO City of Design in 2006 – the first city in North America to be awarded the accolade.

Away from the modern areas, there are streets of attractive greystone buildings and Victorian mansions, and of course, the beautiful Old Town with its cobblestone streets and 18th- and 19th-century buildings.

In terms of natural features, Montreal is also home to a large number of parks, including the 180 hectare Botanical Garden, and of course, not to be forgotten, Mount Royal. Despite its name, the Mount is actually more like a large hill, and situated immediately north of downtown Montreal.

5. Enviable location and good accessibility

Montreal’s location at the very eastern end of Canada has long made it popular with visitors from both America and Europe. It’s very well served by both North American and European airlines, and in fact, the flight from the UK is only 6-7 hours in length. The city is actually really close to the American border, which means that it’s accessible by car, train and plane from the US.

Although Montreal in itself is well worth a visit, the area around the city is also full of things to see and do. Not too much further north you have top-quality ski resorts such as Tremblant and to the west of the city there’s also stunning Niagara Falls.

6. Bilingualism

Of course, if you take a course to either learn French, or improve your skills, the best option is to do so in a country where that language is spoken. You can practise what you’ve learnt outside of lessons, and will pick up more structures and vocabulary just by listening to the people around you.

That said, for people who are complete beginners, the prospect of immersing yourself in a totally foreign language and culture can be daunting. Whilst the people of Montreal certainly prefer to converse in French, the vast majority are bilingual in French and English, so if you find yourself really stuck, it’ll be nice to know that you can revert to English if absolutely necessary.

Cactus offers a range of French courses in Montreal, including General French, Individual French, Combined French and Intensive French.

What is Thanksgiving and where is the best place to celebrate it?

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If you live in the US, or are lucky enough to be in the US over this All-American holiday, make sure you save your appetite because this day is all about food.

The origin of Thanksgiving brings us back to 1621 when the settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, sat down with the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans and shared a feast in order to celebrate their autumn harvest. The two groups gathered to celebrate the bounty of their crops and so it follows that when the modern American family sits down for a Thanksgiving meal they keep the tradition of giving Thanks. Thanksgiving is a holiday for all families, regardless of religion, color and creed.

Thanksgiving became an official national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, thought it would bring the nation closer together amidst the Civil War. In 1941 President Roosevelt decided that the holiday should be on a Thursday in November and ever since then it has been the sign that the Holiday Season has begun. Most businesses and all schools are closed for Thanksgiving and the following day. Black Friday, as the day after Thanksgiving has been coined, is the busiest shopping day of the whole year in the United States.

There are specific food traditions for the Thanksgiving Day dinner which does not really replicate the original Thanksgiving Day meal in 1621. In 1621 the Plymouth settlers did make fowl, but no one really knows if it was specifically turkey. In modern day America, hands down there will be turkey on nearly every family’s dinner table. Sides will most likely be mashed potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie to follow.

If you are lucky enough to be in the U.S. during Thanksgiving, try to get invited for a home cooked dinner. But if you can’t, being in New York will rival anywhere in the States, as there is a massive parade down 5th Avenue that includes major celebrities, marching bands and giant floats. Restaurants will still be open and they will even offer their own version of a Thanksgiving Day dinner. Tuck in!

Cactus offers English courses in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Honolulu.

Cactus also offers TEFL / TESOL courses in the US, and part-time evening languages courses in cities across the US.

Where can I learn English in California?

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Currently, Cactus offers English courses in three fantastic locations within California – Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Juniors’ English courses are also available in Santa Barbara and San Francisco Bay.

Below is more information on each city and the types of English courses that are offered in each location. If you’d like further information on the schools, or on how to choose your course, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Los Angeles

Situated in the southern part of California, on the Pacific coast, Los Angeles is one of the most iconic cities in the world. As the undisputed home of the global film industry, ‘LA’ and the Hollywood Hills have long been a magnet for the rich and famous, but it also attracts hundreds of tourists and students each year. Visitors to Los Angeles can find just about any type of attraction, whether it’s visiting world-class museums like the Getty, attending sporting events involving home teams like the Lakers (basketball) and the Dodgers (baseball), spending time at the beach, or visiting amusement parks like Disneyland.

Los Angeles is a very large city, but has a good network of public transport options that enable you to get around.  It has an amazing nightlife, with hundreds of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, although in general the city can be on the expensive side.  That said, living in a city with such lovely weather lends itself to doing lots of outdoor activities, many of which are completely free…

Los Angeles is a great English course option for any students who like the ‘bright lights and the big city’. It’s a very exciting place to be, with lots to do, and is ideal for students who are used to living in big cities and who have enough money to make the most of their time there. English courses available in Los Angeles include General English, Combined English, Intensive English, Exam Preparation English, Cambridge Exam Course English, English and Cinema and English and Surfing.

More about English courses in Los Angeles

San Francisco image

The main city in north California, San Francisco is also on the coast, but has a very different feel to Los Angeles. Where Los Angeles is fashionable and relatively fast-paced, San Francisco is bohemian and laid-back.  It’s a very attractive city, with those world-renowned hills and cable cars that provide spectacular views over the Bay and its famous bridges, but it’s not just the scenery that attracts so many visitors. The city itself is well known for its liberalism, which over the years has enticed a varied and interesting mix of people, and makes the San Francisco of today a real melting pot of cultures.

Although San Francisco is a large place, it seems less daunting than other big American cities.  There are lots of parks and green spaces to enjoy, and in general local people are very welcoming. San Francisco can also be expensive, but the prices are generally lower than in New York or LA.

San Francisco attracts all kinds of English learners, but is especially suited to anyone who is interested in culture and the arts. The city has a huge arts and music scene that can be enjoyed in time outside of lessons. English course options in the city include General English, Individual English, Combined English, Intensive English, Business English, Academic Year English, Exam Preparation English, Juniors English and CPE/CAE Preparation.

More about English courses in San Francisco

San Diego image

Located right at the southern tip of California, just over the border from Mexico, San Diego is a lovely city with a near perfect climate. It enjoys a fantastic pace of life, and plenty of space in the city, the beaches and the parks – all of which are top-class. San Diego’s proximity to Mexico gives it has a definite Spanish flavour, not only in terms of the culture and atmosphere but also the architecture – the old Spanish colonial buildings of Balboa Park and the Old Town very much reflect the character and history of the city.

San Diego isn’t quite as big as LA or San Francisco, and is also less expensive. San Diego is an ideal English study destination for anyone who enjoys being outside, and being in the sunshine, and there are a huge range of courses on offer. Courses to choose from include General English, Individual English, Combined English, Intensive English, Business English, Exam Preparation English, English and Surfing and CAE/FCE Preparation.

More about English courses in San Diego

5 top locations to learn Italian this Fall

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Here’s our pick of the best places to learn Italian this Fall…

1. Bologna

‘La Dotta, la Grassa, la Rossa’ is apt description for this lively city in Italy’s north-east. So called for its academic tradition, culinary excellence and ubiquitous red-brick roofs, Bologna is a great spot for students, food lovers and those wanting to soak up Italian culture in beautiful surroundings. Join the Italians in what they do best with an Italian, Cooking & Wine course.

Italian courses in Bologna, Italy

2. Palermo

Sicily’s capital city is ideal for those seeking some Fall sunshine with a good dose of culture thrown in. A cradle of ancient civilisations and crossroads of cultures between East and West, Palermo is also a great place to sample Sicily’s sumptuous cuisine – a delicious blend of Arabic, Greek and Italian dishes with simple, natural ingredients such as fish and meat. And we’re not even going to mention the sweet stuff – irrestible, even when you know you’ve got to squeeze into that bikini later…

Italian courses in Palermo, Italy

3. Rome

Italy’s famous and historic capital city is a natural hub for tourists and students, and it’s easy to see why. The Eternal City, as it is known, is legendary, captivating and beautiful. It’s deserving of far more than a city break – if you’re serious about learning Italian, Rome makes a magnificent base and you can enjoy a discount of 10%, or 2 weeks’ free course, when you book a General Course for 12 weeks or more.

Italian courses in Rome, Italy

4. Tropea

If it’s good enough for the Italians, it’s good enough for us. A much-loved summer location for holidaying Italians, Tropea is a pretty little town perched 42m above the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea in the southern region of Calabria. Come Fall, when the crowds have gone, you can pick your spot on the beach, find a seat in a cosy trattoria and enjoy it for what it should be.

Italian courses in Tropea, Italy

5. Florence

Much as we try to vary our recommendations, Florence often manages to squeeze its way in, and with reason. An Aladdin’s cave of basilicas, frescoes, piazzas and palazzos, set in rolling Tuscan countryside, this is Italy on a postcard. You can spend hours exploring the city’s museums, churches and restaurants, but the great thing is you can also easily visit medieval Siena, less than an hour and a half away, and Tuscany’s charming villages and vineyards.

Italian courses in Florence, Italy

Cactus offers Italian courses in over 20 locations across Italy, as well as evening language courses in Italian in the US & Canada.

10 reasons why summer language camps abroad are a great option for teenagers

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Here are some great reasons to consider it as an option this year…

Progress and development

1. Tuition at language camps is provided by qualified, experienced, native-speaker teachers. As a result, the quality of teaching that students get is very high, and the effects all the more noticeable.

2. Language camps attract students from all over the world, which means that they have to use the local language every day in order to communicate with each other – this is great for practising what they have learnt in lessons.

3. The experience of living away from home in a foreign country will fill any student with a great sense of self-confidence and achievement, which will really help their personal development.

4. Spending a summer with students from other countries will mean that they can make friends from all over the world, and gain an all-important insight into other cultures.

5. Making foreign friends that they want to stay in touch with will give them an incentive to keep up their language skills!

Special considerations for young learners

6. Students are accommodated in safe, comfortable lodgings. They usually have the choice between on-site, supervised residences and carefully vetted host families.

7. Full in-country care is offered by the course provider, which means that students and parents can feel confident in the level of support provided.

8. The food offered to students is designed to be healthy and nutritional, and can be adapted for any special dietary needs that students may have.

9. Language camps vary in length, and you can choose to send your child for anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks, depending on how comfortable they feel being away from home.

Fun options for free time

10. A variety of interesting activity options and excursions to places of interest are included in the programme, which ensures that the students can relax and have fun, as well as learn…

Summer language camps are available in Spain/Costa Rica,/Mexico/Uruguay, France/Canada, Italy, Germany/Austria/Switzerland and China, and are generally available to students over the age of 10.

Taking the CELTA in San Francisco – feedback from our 2010 scholarship winner

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Ascending the escalator from the Muni metro, I remember the feeling of seeing Market Street reveal itself to me for the first time. I had arrived in San Francisco a day before and hadn’t yet seen the city as I was knackered from the travelling and wanted to shake off the jet leg. I chose to be a hermit on the Sunday with the intention of being fresh for the course the next day. So, Monday morning I got into the city an hour early before lessons, just to soak everything up before heading into the school. I bought breakfast and essentially took one deep breath – it proved to be the only opportunity I would have to do so until after the course, as the preceding four weeks would pretty much be a blur.

Although I knew the course would be demanding, I didn’t realise just how consuming it would be. If you’re going to do the CELTA I suggest you do it at a time when you can put most, if not all, aspects of your life on hold – you will eat, sleep and breathe TEFL for a month. Every hour of every day was accounted for from the moment I woke up to the moment my head touched the pillow. The course wasn’t easy, and I can’t say I enjoyed every minute of it, but in a lot of ways it was a process not unlike learning a language – both frustrating and rewarding, and like a language, you know the only way your really going to get anything out of it is if you throw yourself into it completely.

The trainers at St. Giles, Gabi and Maureen, were great and were basically good cop/bad cop in their approaches. Gabi pushed us hard for the first two weeks, and I had a few ‘Simon, we need to have a chat’ moments with her, while Maureen, who taught us for the second two weeks, made you feel relaxed and confident about teaching, both effective and both necessary, and I learned a great deal from both of them.

As a course it was academically rewarding, yet I’d be lying if I knew how I did so exactly, or to say I remember everything I learnt over the four weeks. What was really rewarding was teaching a class of students from around the world and seeing them learn something new from me and then using what they learned in the following classes. Working with the other trainee teachers was also a great experience, as we all progressed together and became close doing so.

Now, the accent. Rather, my accent. First of all, it’s important to understand that the Northern Californian accent is so clean cut (in that overtly American way) that people from the region constantly sound as if they are selling life insurance or alternative lifestyle products to you regardless of what they’re talking about. I on the other hand, possess a so-called Estuary English accent, and I’m sure that to them, I probably sounded as though I were a Dickensian chimney sweep or I had just walked off the set of Get Carter. The accent wasn’t a problem when talking to my trainers or fellow trainees (well, most of the time) but when teaching a mixed group of international students, who were by then accustomed to the slow prolonged vowels and pronounced ‘r’s of my Californian peers, I may as well have been speaking Chinese. However, I worked on my speech, slowed my voice down and by the end the students understood me – I can say that confidently because they would use words and expressions I taught them in later lessons, in my accent no less.

Away from the school, I stayed with a wonderful homestay couple, who to my delight were hippies during the sixties, well, the man of the house preferred to be called an ex-radical – and listening to his stories that’s a tame word for it. So I had the real spirit of San Francisco at home, every evening, cooking me dinner, telling me stories – the protests, the free love, the music and spitting in Ronald Reagan’s face. They also drove me around on Sunday afternoons (my only free time) and showed me the area.

First let me get this straight, San Francisco, on the face of it, is a gorgeous city. It lives up to the postcards and the movies etc, and indeed most of Northern California is stunning. The city of San Francisco itself ticks all the boxes, but today, it’s a very clean-cut city, maybe too clean cut. Similar to the way American customer service is great, fast, friendly and reliable – but in a completely detached, glazed over and completely impersonal way. So when looking for a teaching job, I knew I wanted to go somewhere a little more rough around the edges. The first job I’ve taken is in a private school in Bari, a southeast Italian city on the coast, and an area I already know relatively well. I decided it would be a good starting point where I could get some experience (not to mention some money) and that first reference under my belt before venturing somewhere completely new – which I plan on doing later this year. It’s a beautiful region of the country that is as charming, backward, relaxed and at the same time chaotic as one might expect – and so far it’s been a joy. The students are really warm, as are the locals, as is the fantastic weather. The other teachers have also been really accommodating. I wish I had more stories to tell at this point, but I’m still all eyes and ears really, trying to take in as much as I can at this early stage.

I genuinely feel my training as teacher started when I started this job just under two months ago. Yet I know I wouldn’t have had the grapes to walk into a classroom full of Italian adult learners had I not had the experience and knowledge I gained during my time on the CELTA course.

Please note that the scholarship for 2011 has now been launched. The prize is a 4-week CELTA course and 2-week Spanish course in Barcelona, including accommodation and return travel to the UK. For more information, including details of how to enter, please visit the Cactus TEFL website.