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Italian Gelato: cool off in style this summer

It doesn’t need to be summer for the Italians to eat ice cream – indeed, for many it is a daily ritual year-round – but sales of this most iconic of Italian treats, the gelato, go through the roof when the heat rises. Wherever you are in Italy, there will be a queue at your local gelateria, or ice cream shop, and quite rightly so.

Gelato in Italy isn’t ice cream as we know it. In many countries ice cream is made with cream; in Italy, the secret is to make it with milk. It is this that makes their gelato so smooth and creamy, so irresistibly full of flavour. Chocolate gelato is rich and silky; fruity gelato bursts with flavour. If you have anything of a love affair with Italian food, as I do, get yourself to an ice cream shop (gelateria) and indulge in this unmissable and delightful experience.

How to order your gelato in Italy

So it is that ordering gelato from your gelateria is something of an art. You need to know what the different flavours are, do you want a cone or a cup, how many scoops…yes, you can get a long way by pointing, but it pays to learn a few words when it comes to ordering gelato Italian-style. It’s also handy to know that, as in many Italian establishments, you often need to pay and get a receipt before you actually order your gelato; you then show your receipt to the gelato server and say which flavours you want.

Sound like you know what you’re talking about and that first taste of cool gelato on the tongue will be even more satisfying…nothing more to say than buon appetito!

Ice cream vocabulary – the basics:

Una coppa cup
Un cono cone
Un gusti flavour / scoop
Un cono con due gusti, per favore a cone with two scoops, please
Un attimo, per favore one moment, please
Non sono pronto/a I’m not ready
Prego / dime yes please / tell me (from the gelato server)

Popular gelato flavours:

Cioccolato al latte milk chocolate
Cioccolato fondente dark chocolate
Bacio chocolate hazelnut (after the famous Bacio chocolates from Perugia)
Gianduja milk chocolate & hazelnut (like Nutella)
Cioccolato all’arancia dark chocolate and orange
Pistacchio pistachio (NB. ‘chio’ is pronounced with a hard ‘k’)
Mandorla almond
Nocciola hazelnut
Fior di latte literally ‘flower of milk’; tastes like sweet cream
Stracciatella chocolate chip (with fior di latte base)
Cocco coconut
Caffè coffee
Malaga rum & raisin
Zuppa inglese literally ‘English soup’; like trifle, with a custardy base, bits of cookie & sweet wine or Marsala

Popular sorbetto flavours (delicious and very real fruit flavours that usually don’t contain milk):

Cioccolato al latte milk chocolate
Limone lemon
Melone melon
Fragola strawberry
Lampone raspberry
Pera pear
Pesca peach
Frutti di bosco fruits of the forest
Mela apple
Albicocca apricot

Get a head start by brushing up on your Italian before you go! Cactus runs 10-week evening Italian courses in the UK.

Or book a language course in Italy and immerse yourself in the language and culture – just think, gelato every day! Cactus runs Italian courses in over 20 locations across Italy, from the classical hubs of Rome and Florence to the coastal delights of Taormina and Sorrento.

NEW adult evening courses in London – starting Jan 2015

Take your pick from 8 fantastic locations for our upcoming courses in January 2015

Cactus has added three new locations to its offering of evening courses in London. Ready for the next intake in January, these extra locations bring language courses closer to you, to make it even easier to access a course close to work or home.

Kick-start your new year’s resolutions with a language course and you’ll deserve a holiday to practise it all!

NEW for 2015 are:

  1. Canada Water
    This new school, just 5 minutes’ walk from Canada Water overground and tube station, boasts a cool and contemporary environment. It is ideal for those working in the Canary Wharf business district who want to join friendly and professional small group evening courses.
    Languages available: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese
  2. Aldgate East
    We are excited to offer our first location in East London, conveniently situated between 3 underground lines (District Line, Circle Line and Hammersmith & City Line), the DLR station (Shadwell) and major bus routes. It’s right by Altab Ali Park, which connects the City at Aldgate to the Olympic Park at Stratford.
    Languages available: French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian
  3. Tottenham Court Road
    This is an excellent new addition to our selection of schools in Central London. Two doors down from the British Museum, it has 9 fully equipped classrooms and a student lounge to relax in outside class.
    Languages available: French, Spanish, Italian, German

Don’t forget that these new locations are in addition to our existing schools in Bond Street, Kings Cross, Holborn-Russell Square, Islington and Wimbledon.

Visit our website www.languagecoursesuk.co.uk for full information and booking.

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* Stuck for a present for a loved one this Christmas? *

Why not give the gift of language through a Cactus gift voucher – perfect for a male or female of any age!

Call us on 01273 930 960 for more info or order your voucher online.

 

Halloween vocabulary in Italian

Halloween Halloween
ottobre October
trentuno 31st
Ognissanti All Saints Day
automno Autumn/Fall
zucca Pumpkin
strega Witch
ginestra Broom
cimitero Cemetery
candela Candle
maschera Mask
travestimento Disguise / Costume
scheletro Skeleton
gatto nero Black cat
pipistrello Bat
ragno Spider
spaventapasseri Scarecrow
lanterna Jack-o’-lantern
vampiro Vampire
folletto Goblin
mummia Mummy
mostro Monster
diavolo Devil
Dolci/caramelle Sweets / Candy

Cactus offer a wide range of Italian Courses both in the UK and around the world.

Top 5 Italian course destinations this summer

If you’re thinking of heading to Italy this summer, here are our top locations to learn Italian (and keep cool)…

In Mediterranean countries such as Italy, August is traditionally a month where city dwellers pack up and head to the beach to escape the heat. Whilst this means that large cities are less crowded than at other times of the year, and that accommodation is less expensive, it does also mean that many shops and restaurants are closed.

Most of Italy’s seaside resorts are at their most crowded in July and August, but this gives the towns a really lively atmosphere – and if you do a language course, you won’t have the normal struggle to secure accommodation as this is arranged on your behalf. If you do opt for an Italian language course at one of the prime beach resorts in Italy, it’s wise to get booked up as early as possible.

We offer a wide range of Italian courses in Italy, and here are our top picks if you’re planning to go this summer.

1. Tropea

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You might not be the only one thinking that heading to Italy’s coast is a good idea in the summer – in fact, you should expect to share beach space with a good number of Italians who holiday in Tropea – but the crowds are a small price to pay for a slice of Tropea in summertime. This small, attractive town perched on a cliff above the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea in southern Italy boasts a stunning piece of coastline, with white sandy beaches stretching in both directions – making it a real ‘holiday’ for those who want to sunbathe or cool off in the sea after class. Back in town there are plenty of cosy trattorias and a lively local marketplace, but Tropea remains small-town Italy at heart. The excellent school here offers a varied activities programme to help you make the most of your time whilst learning Italian in Tropea: there’s sure to be plenty going on around the Italian holiday of Ferragosto on 15th August.

More about Italian courses in Tropea

2. Taormina

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Situated on a terrace of Mount Tauro, overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea and with spectacular views of Mount Etna to the west, it’s easy to see why Taormina has been attracting visitors for so long. Its beautiful sandy beaches and balmy climate also go some way to explaining its popularity! Taormina has more to offer than the average beach resort, every summer playing host to the internationally renowned arts festival ‘Taormina Arte’. During the festival there are some fantastic shows and events to enjoy, all of which promise a great insight into Italian culture and plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the language.

More about Italian courses in Taormina

3. Island of Elba

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The island of Elba is less well-known than islands such as Sardinia and Sicily, but it’s equally as beautiful. A relatively small island, Elba is situated off the Tuscan coast and is home to some beautiful bays and stunning natural scenery. Outside Italian lessons, students are able to sit on the beach, have a go at a range of watersports, explore the island’s walking and cycling trails, or visit sites such as the Museo Archeologico and the Palazzina dei Mulini, the official residence of Napoleon and his sister Paolina. The island of Elba has got to be one of Italy’s best-kept secrets and you’ll certainly leave feeling priviliged to have experienced all that it has to offer.

More about Italian courses on the Island of Elba

4. Verona

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Undoubtedly one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Verona is brimming with history. Unsurpringly, it’s a really popular tourist destination, which ensures a steady stream of visitors and lots to entertain them all year round. Amongst the most popular tourist attractions are the mythical balcony at Casa di Giulietta and the Roman amphitheatre in the city centre. It is this particular attraction which forms the backdrop to the annual summer opera season, which draws thousands and thousands of visitors. Although opera is the highlight, there are also rock concerts and jazz performances throughout the summer to ensure that all tastes are catered for…there are few better ways to spend a warm summer’s afternoon or evening than in a pretty city, enjoying fine food and drink, surrounded by music.

More about Italian in Verona

5. Viareggio

Tuscany isn’t particularly well known for its beaches – you might think you’re more likely to head here for rolling landscapes and fine food and wine – but, just north of Pisa, the resort of Viareggio is one of northern Italy’s most popular, especially amongst Italians. With its roots dating back to the 16th century, the town has plenty of history and its faded pastel façades combined with classic Italian elegance lend something of a retro feel to it. Viareggio is famous the world over for its extravagant Carnival celebrations at Easter, but come summer most people are here to enjoy the 10km of sandy beaches or cultural events including the Puccini Festival (this year celebrating its 60th year) and the Gaber Festival that attracts high-profile Italian musicians.

More about Italian courses in Viareggio

Cactus offers a wide range of Italian courses in Italy. Prepare yourself for your trip by learning the basics or brushing up on existing knowledge with a part-time or evening course in Italian in the UK.

From beginner to proficient in Italian: one client’s journey through 12 evening courses

After 12 language courses with Cactus, Mark Holden tells Sarah Watkins about his rather unplanned but highly satisfying journey from complete beginner to proficient in Italian.

As a language lover myself, it is always exciting to find a student who has taken not just a couple but an impressive TWELVE courses with us. To see that someone has progressed from basic to advanced knowledge over the course of a few years is the perfect story, and I couldn’t wait to chat to Mark to find out more about his language learning experience.

The beginning of the journey…

For Mark, there are several reasons for learning Italian, and it all started some four years ago at work. As a chartered engineer working for the European company Airbus, there were a number of Italians working in Mark’s office. What started as a few friendly exchanges of language tips – Mark lending some help with English and learning a few Italian phrases in return – led to dinner at an Italian colleague’s house and the opportunity to discover more about the language.

This, combined with the motivation of an upcoming trip to Ponza, a general love of art, culture and ancient history, and useful prior knowledge of Latin, sowed the seed for Mark and his wife Carren, who also works for Airbus, to take a local evening course in Italian with Cactus in Bristol. For them, learning Italian is pure recreation – just two hours each week to do something for themselves and a fun challenge at the 50-something mark.

Of course, what started out as a beginners’ Italian course ‘for fun’ back in 2010 has taken Mark and Carren much further than they ever expected. Seeing that they were making progress and enjoying the feeling of the language starting to make sense, they moved from one course to the next, taking the odd break here and there, but successfully moving up the levels until now, in 2014, they have 12 courses behind them and have reached the linguistic high of understanding and being understood. Mark is quick to say that he’s not ‘proficient’, as his course title might suggest, but that he no longer has to think about what to say in Italian. He tells me he still has a long way to go and we agree the great thing about learning a language is that it’s an ongoing process and one that can easily become a life-long passion.

Using his Italian in real life

Mark’s courses have been punctuated by a series of trips to Italy and further afield – a real chance to put his Italian to the test. He recalls a trip to Sardinia early on as something of a breakthrough, as it marked the moment when he realised he could actually go somewhere and speak Italian, feeling confident enough to travel around and chat to the locals. Another trip to the Sicilian town of Taormina last summer, where he and Carren took an Italian immersion course, proved just how far they had come with their Italian: they had the satisfaction of chatting to and becoming familiar with the locals, getting recommendations for where to visit, where to eat or what local produce to try and above all feeling like they were part of the community rather than just tourists.

I was particularly impressed to hear how Mark and Carren had managed to combine their passion for Italian with their love of scuba diving on a diving trip to the Maldives. By specifically choosing an Italian-based company, rather than one of the many English-speaking ones, they were guaranteed a good number of Italian guides and guests on board with whom to practise their ever-improving Italian. It goes to show that learning a language can be incorporated into daily life in all different kinds of ways, and it is no doubt this regular exposure to the language both inside and outside the classroom that has fuelled the couple’s progression and enthusiasm over the years.

Mark’s evening course & learning tips

You don’t always have to travel far to make a difference, however. If there is a secret to any of this, Mark tells me, for him it was committing himself to the homework outside class. He found that a 2-hour stint of homework in addition to a 2-hour class each week made the world of difference, being the perfect opportunity to gain a better grounding in grammar. It gave him the time to consolidate what he’d learnt and make sure that he had properly understood, enabling him to go back to class the following week ready to move on to the next topic.

It goes without saying that the success of any course is also down to the teacher, and Mark is quick to pay tribute to his teacher, Valentina, who he and Carren were lucky to have for all but a couple of their twelve courses. He has only positive things to say about Valentina, who he describes as extremely creative, enthusiastic and interesting, tailoring the classes to the students’ interests (even though these were quite varied) and maintaining a fun, relaxed environment. She has certainly been a significant factor in the group ‘gelling’ and in the overall enjoyment of the courses. Although the number of students has naturally fallen as they have progressed through the levels – going from 10 at beginners’ level to 4 at proficient – it is testament to Valentina to have kept such a strong group going.

As for what lies ahead, he feels that two hours each week is no longer sufficient for someone of his level, as he’s reached a natural plateau: he and Carren are hoping to spend more time in Italy to immerse themselves in the language and of course reap the benefit of all their hard work.

They might not have had any grand plan to begin with, but I think if there was ever proof that an evening course can change your life – even if unintentionally – here you have it.

Many thanks to Mark for taking the time to talk to me, and I wish him and Carren all the best for wherever their Italian might take them in the future.

Mark has been learning Italian in Bristol with Cactus. Cactus offers Italian courses in other locations across the UK as well as in Italy.

Don’t miss the Scoppio del Carro in Florence this Easter

The Scoppio del Carro, which literally translates as ‘the explosion of the cart’ is a tradition that dates back to the first Crusade in 1099. According to legend, a Florentine nobleman by the name of Pazzino de Pazzi was the first to climb the walls of Jerusalem carrying the flag of the crusaders. For his courage, the commander and chief of the crusade, Goffredo di Buglione, rewarded Pazzino with stone splinters from the Holy Sepulchre, which he donated to the city of Florence upon his return. The splinters were subsequently used to start an annual “holy fire” during Holy Week.

On Easter morning a thirty foot antique cart (over 500 years old) is dragged from Prato al Porto to Piazza Del Duomo by a team of beautifully decorated white oxen. Once it reaches the Piazza the oxen are unhooked, and the cart is loaded with fireworks while a wire, stretching to the high altar inside the cathedral, is fitted with a mechanical dove (the “colombina”). Shortly after, during Easter Mass, the fuse in the colombina is lit, with the same splinters that Pazzino donated to the city. This ignites the cart and sets off a spectacular explosion.

According to popular legend if all goes well and the cart is exploded it will mean a very prosperous year for the people of Florence.

The Scoppio del Carro is quite something to see, and will make your visit to Florence extra special!

Cactus Language offer a variety of Italian language courses in Florence, Italy, the UK and New York.

Christmas in Rome: A magical festive getaway

The Italian capital is an unlikely winner when it comes to festive getaways…

Rome might not seem like the obvious place to head for Christmas, but for a sumptuous display of Christmas tradition within a unique religious setting, and a glass of mulled wine never far, it is an unlikely winner when it comes to festive escapes.

An obvious and deserved target for any visitor at this time is St Peter’s Square, in The Vatican. With its giant, extravagantly adorned Christmas tree and life-size nativity scene (or presepe) in front of the Basilica, it is for many a true embodiment of Christmas. This culminates with the Papal Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and the Pope’s annual Christmas message on the day itself: to join the reunion of so many people, from Rome and beyond, is an occasion in itself.

Christmas in Rome is not just concentrated around these few days. In truth it really starts on 8th December, the festival of the Immaculate Conception, an important event in the Roman Catholic calendar. On this day, the Pope visits the Spanish Steps and pays homage to the statue of Mary, crowning her with a garland of flowers. He then goes on to give mass at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

From this day in early December the Eternal City begins to twinkle in festive spirit. Christmas markets open up – don’t miss Piazza Navona to scout creative additions to a nativity scene, as well as wooden toys and other Christmas goodies – and smaller nativity scenes than the one at St Peter’s are re-created in churches across Rome. Christmas shopping is less of a chore than a delight as shopping streets sparkle under fairy lights, buskers dressed as Santa play festive songs and some shops even adorn their pavements with red carpet. If nothing else, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing presents and wow your friends back home with some original gifts – fine Italian leather, stylish stationery, traditional local souvenirs and quality food items.

And the big plus? Rome’s relatively mild winter climate means less room needed to pack ear muffs and scarfs and more to fill with all your purchases. Perfetto!

Cactus offers Italian courses in Rome and other locations across Italy. Evening and part-time courses in Italian are also available in the UK and the US for those wishing to brush up on the language before visiting.

Cactus Worldwide Monthly Blog: September 2013

Welcome to the September edition of the Cactus Worldwide blog! This month we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet the people behind two of our most popular partner schools…

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Hello, and welcome to September’s edition of the Cactus Worldwide blog! My name is Ollie, and I am Product Manager for our agency, Cactus Worldwide. Our team of experienced course advisors are here every day to discuss options with you and help set up a varied range of unique language-learning experiences, all over the globe, throughout the year, for all of our wonderful students.

This month’s blog is aimed at letting you take a look at some of the people behind two of our most popular partner schools in Europe – The Language Centre in Denia, on the east coast of Spain; and Centro Fiorenza on Via di Santo Spirito in the heart of Florence, Italy.

If you have any questions about anything you read here, please feel free to contact me directly via oliver.donovan@cactusworldwide.com and I’d be happy to answer any questions.

1. Spanish in Denia with Cactus Worldwide & The Language Centre

Firstly, please meet Mari Carmen Timor, the Principal of The Language Centre, situated in the historic part of Denia on Carrer de la Barbacana! TLC is a comfortable, modern and spacious school, fully equipped with wi-fi, audio-visual equipment, air-conditioning and drinks machines. It is an ideal location for families, individual adults or juniors all year-round, with a range of course and accommodation options to suit students of all shapes and sizes.

Denia is located half-way between Alicante and Valencia on the east coast of Spain. Still not sure? Click here to see its exact location on Google Maps.

Here is what Mari Carmen has to say about her school, and why it’s worth considering a visit to Denia this autumn/winter:

Who are you?

denia
My name is Mari Carmen Timor and I am currently the FEDELE president for the Valencian region of Spain, as well as school principal at TLC Dénia Spanish school (Dénia, Valencia). My personal philosophy is that it is important that students experience everything there is about a language, its people and their culture, as well as a receiving a high quality education.

How long has TLC Denia been in operation?

TLC Dénia first opened its doors in 1994 and since then I have strived to continuously stay at the forefront of teaching methods, along with keeping our accommodation satisfactory and our range of activities interesting. We specialise in offering families travelling with children the opportunity to learn the language together. For those students who want to experience a relaxed and friendly city, where they can integrate with the local people and their culture, TLC Dénia is the ideal place for studying Spanish.

What’s happening at TLC Denia this autumn, and why should students come to Denia and take a Spanish course?

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As autumn falls I think many of us consider taking on new challenges in our lives, and for those who wish to learn or improve a language it is a fantastic time to start. The summer heat wanes making way for that magical change of light that autumn brings. The streets that were before filled with tourists now have a nostalgic calm about them.

Far from looking like a shadow of summer, Dénia thrives with the sound of its kitchens. Its wide range of restaurants makes the low season months absolutely perfect for those of our students who wish to enrich their stay with the best quality food.

For students who are nature lovers, Dénia and the surrounding area in the autumn offers wonderful mountain scenery with extensive trails of varying difficulties through breathtaking terrain, suitable for hiking or cycling. 
Not forgetting, of course, that Dénia is dominated by the ‘Montgó’, a 750-metre mountain remarkably similar to ‘Table Mountain’ in Cape Town, South Africa. It is a truly spectacular sight.

Due to all of this and much, much more, studying in the autumn months is a fascinating experience both inside and outside the classroom. And thanks to a select set of activities, our students always have a broad view of authentic life and customs here in Dénia.

2. Italian in Florence with Cactus Worldwide & Centro Fiorenza

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And now, please meet Augusto Merlini, the owner and Director of Centro Fiorenza in Florence! Centro Fiorenza is a medium-sized school that hosts 120+ students during the high season, and a few more even at their sister school on the Isle of Elba (2014 dates and prices will be up soon!). The school prides itself on providing a welcoming, family atmosphere in an international environment, and attracts consistently excellent feedback from our students.

Centro Fiorenza is located on Via di Santo Spirito, slightly set back from the Arno in the centre of Florence. Still not sure? Click here to see its exact location on Google Maps.

Here is what Augusto has to say about his school, and why it’s worth considering taking a trip to Florence this autumn/winter:

Who are you?

I am Augusto Merlini, the owner and director of Centro Fiorenza – International House Florence. I have been running Centro Fiorenza since 1982, first as a teacher in Florence and then when we opened our summer school on Elba in 1984 I spent whole summers there teaching and entertaining our students. Now I am in charge of our marketing and promotion.

What’s happening in Florence this autumn/winter?

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Are you an art lover? If so, then don’t miss this exhibition! Forte Belvedere, the most beautiful exhibition space in Florence, has reopened after 5 years, with works by Zhang Huan. You can admire sculptures of enormous Buddhas and paintings with Huan’s particular technique in ashes. To finish the show enjoy an “Aperol Spritz” or “Hugo” at sunset on the terrace overlooking the city on one side, then turn round and take in the breathtaking view of the Tuscan countryside on the other side.

Also don’t miss a string of events in Florence and the Chianti region in September and October such as tasting Chianti Gallo Nero, Chianti Classico and Super Tuscans along with food of the region (Tagliatelle ai Funghi, Pappardelle al Cinghiale, the famous Peposo from Impruneta and many other specialties!).

And of course, you should also come and enjoy an Italian language course at Centro Fiorenza!

TI ASPETTIAMO A FIRENZE! – CIAO A PRESTO!

I hope this has been of interest, and may have given you some ideas for the colder months which are on their way! I’ve just had a peek at a few budget airline websites, and you can certainly still steal a return flight to Alicante, Valencia or Pisa in November or December for less than £100 – so it really is a great time to go. Happy planning 😉

Any questions, please feel free to contact me directly and I’d be happy to help.

Best wishes,

Ollie

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Oliver Donovan
Agency Product Manager
Email: oliver.donovan@cactusworldwide.com
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Cactus staff review: Italian 10-week evening course, Beginner 3

Our Operations Intern at Cactus Language tells us about her 10-week Italian language evening course in Brighton

When I arrived in Brighton 12 weeks ago, I was very happy to hear that I would have the opportunity to participate in one of Cactus’ evening language courses. I have always been extremely fascinated by languages, so much so that when I was 15 and in the 10th grade of school, I was learning 5 different languages as my school offered a wide range of both obligatory and voluntary language classes.

As I had learnt Italian for two years, I decided to register for the Italian Beginner 3 course in my first week at Cactus Language. In my opinion, Italian is one of the most beautiful and colourful languages in the world and listening to people speaking Italian makes me think of lovely Italian towns, amazing landscapes and sunny and carefree holidays.

The 10-week Italian course was the perfect chance for me to refresh and engage in the Italian language again. The lessons not only provided me with this excellent opportunity but also allowed me to meet some new and interesting people who were also studying Italian for a variety of reasons. I really appreciated getting to know some of them personally and forming friendships whilst learning the language. The atmosphere in my classes was very lively and a lot of fun.

Our native teacher Roberta was great and extremely enthusiastic. I was fascinated by the way she taught with a wide variety of methods and materials so that the lessons were never dull. I especially enjoyed how the tasks seemed to relate to real situations, such as working on and presenting Italian dialogues during ‘un viaggio in Italia a Roma’. She easily managed to keep everyone involved and coped well with the different abilities of the class. If anyone was unsure about something, she was always happy to help and, if necessary, explain again using examples to make it clearer.

Having a native speaker of Italian as a teacher was a huge advantage, and it really reinforced what we learnt. I benefitted from the fact that Roberta only spoke English where clarification was needed and used Italian for the rest of the time in the lessons to communicate with us. Further to this, it improved our listening skills and she encouraged us to speak Italian at every chance to advance our speaking skills and especially our pronunciation. The tasks she set us were well balanced between all the disciplines, reading, writing, speaking and listening. I also appreciated that we always had the possibility of homework and that Roberta gave us good advice for self-studying at home during and after the course.

Given the opportunity I would definitely do this course again, as it was a great experience, and if I was staying for longer, I would definitely continue with my Italian course at the next level. I feel that I have made progress with my Italian and I hope to get the chance to use it again soon.

The course really inspired me to travel to Italy and to visit the country.

Grazie Roberta!

If you would like to follow in our intern’s footsteps and take an Italian language course, then Cactus offer a variety of courses throughout the UK, US and in Italy.

Italian course in Rome: a first-hand account

Cactus Office Manager Claudia Ohde tells us why Italy’s historic capital was the perfect place for her Italian course…

I just came back from a one-week language holiday in Rome (from 31 degrees there to 13 degrees in Brighton!). Not only was the weather fantastic (it was hot but there was always a refreshing breeze – perfect summer weather in my eyes) but so was my language course! Each morning seemed to pass in no time which was mainly due to our fabulous teacher Marina who made learning fun and easy. She managed to keep the entire class in Italian at all times, including the breaks she spent with us on the terrace. Quite an achievement in a beginner level 2 class and despite the cheeky attempts of some students to sneak some English in.

The classroom activities included lots of group work with changing partners, playing memory to broaden our vocabulary, well planned role-play and even the creation of a short rap song! Would you have advertised the course like this to me beforehand I might have chickened out (I’m not the role play type!), but Marina managed to keep everyone engaged and motivated at all times and I really enjoyed myself.

The class was a great mixture of 12 people from 11 different countries – France, Sweden, Germany, Libya, USA, Venezuela, Japan, Korea, China, Netherlands and Russia. The school was in a very central location close to the main station and the building had everything a good school needs: good sized class rooms with interactive whiteboards, air conditioning, wifi for the students and a nice cafeteria with inexpensive food (home-made) and drinks. Staff were very welcoming and friendly and everything was very well organised. They also offer a very interesting programme of after-school activities. I particularly enjoyed a seminar about Italian wines which was held by one of the teachers and was very informative and easy to understand. It of course included a little wine testing and some nibbles (my favourite Taralli) too!

The rest of the time I enjoyed walking through Rome with its unique mixture of ancient historic sights that pop up between rather modern buildings just everywhere! I particularly enjoyed walking around in Trastevere, a quiet old town area shielded from noisy traffic and the 10,000 Harley Davidsons bikers that populated Rome that weekend to celebrate their 110th anniversary and to get their blessing from the Pope.

Cactus offers Italian courses in Rome and in many other locations across Italy. Italian evening and part time courses are also available in the UK and the US.

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. 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.