How To Make the Most of Your Language Holiday

 

Language Holiday Tips with The Intrepid Guide

A language holiday is not only a great way to experience a new country or city whilst improving your language skills, it is also an investment in your future. It’s important to understand how to make the most of your language holiday and know about the language holiday tips and tricks that will help you achieve your language learning goals in no time at all! Travel and language blogger and author, The Intrepid Guide, gives us her top 5 tips based on her own experience and professional opinion. Continue reading How To Make the Most of Your Language Holiday

7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday

Language Holiday

7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday!

There are lots of good reasons why you should go on a language holiday. Not to mention the fun you will have combining a unique travel experience with the benefit of learning a language. Travel and language blogger and author, The Intrepid Guide, gives us her top 7 reasons based on her own experience and professional opinion.

 

1. You Will Progress Faster

One of the most important benefits of a language holiday is that you will be full-immersed in the language. You will hear and speak it everyday. Most language courses are around 20 or 30 lessons per week, which will guarantee that you progress faster.

In the end you will find yourself practising the language in everyday situations, without even noticing it.

 

2. You Will Feel More Confident

As well as making you feel confident about speaking the language, a language holiday will also make you feel confident in other aspects of your life. You will develop your communication skills since the teachers employ the communicate approach which focuses on speaking and communication.

 

3. You Will Put Into Practice What You Learn

By having a full-immersion experience, you will put into practice what you learn in class. This is the best way to assimilate what you have been learning. You might make mistakes but it’s all part of the learning process.

 

4. You Will Improve Your CV

Learning a language has many benefits, and improving your CV is one of them. For some people it maybe even be the number 1 reason – opening up your career prospects. Most international companies and organisations require their staff to speak two or more languages. Turn this into your opportunity to have a holiday abroad whilst learning a language.

 

5. You Will Feel Like a Local

You will feel like a local and live like a local. Interact with local people, practise the language and create a routine for yourself. You might be staying for a few weeks or a few months – either way, you can feel at home.

 

6. You Will Meet New People

Different people, same interest – learn a language and discover a new culture. You can join activities outside of the classroom hours and get to know your classmates. You might be travelling solo but you won’t be alone.

 

7. You Will Never Know Where a Language Holiday May Lead You

You meet new people, travel to new places and discover different scenarios. When abroad, you might even fall in love with the place and want to move there!

Language Holiday

 

In the end, whatever reason it makes you take a language holiday, a full-immersive experience has countless benefits. If you wish to take a language course abroad and still have some doubts then watch Michele’s video below.

Michele is a multilingual author and the founder of The Intrepid Guide, a hub for travellers and language learners with over 100,000 monthly readers. Follow Cactus Language and The Intrepid Guide on Instagram.

 

You can also read her blog post 7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday.

 

How to Book a Language Holiday?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the link to find more information about any of our Language Holiday Courses.

For information on any of our language courses or Language Holiday, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have before you start a summer adventure.

BOOK YOUR LANGUAGE HOLIDAY

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 23 different languages in 11 UK locations
Language holiday: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and

Top 7 Places to Learn French

top 7 places to learn french

Our Top 7 Places to Learn French in France, and the Rest of the World

With a language as widespread and prestigious as French, choosing the best place to improve your langue française can be difficult. To make things easier we have selected our top 7 places to learn French, based on location, activities, school facilities, and tuition quality. From cosmopolitan cities to remote tropical beaches, our top 7 places to learn French will help you discover your personal favourite and get you started on your French language learning journey.

1. Reunion Island, Indian Ocean – A Hidden Island Paradise

top 7 places to learn french
 
‘La Réunion’, as the French call Reunion Island, is one of the most exiting places in the world to learn French. This remote little island in the Indian Ocean was discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century, then inhabited by settlers from France and Madagascar, and has since become a part of France. From paradisaical beaches and majestic landscapes, to stunning towns and tropical forests – Reunion Island has everything an exotic island adventure should include. Our school in La Reunion is small, offering an experience that caters to your personal needs and individual language goals.

Explore French courses in Reunion Island

2. Lyon, France – A Culinary Journey

top 7 places to learn french
 
Lyon is known for the production and weaving of silk, and also for its integral role in the early years of French cinema. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, nowadays Lyon is most famous for its fantastic cuisine, extensive eating options, and wide range of dining experiences. It is the perfect destination for the culturally interested foodie with class. Learn French at one of our accredited schools in Lyon while having a taste of the ‘joie de vivre’!

Explore French courses in Lyon

3. Martinique, The Caribbean – Pristine Beaches and Turquoise Waters

top 7 places to learn french
 
Also Known as the ‘Island of Flowers’ Martinique offers clear turquoise waters, lush vegetation and an enticing Caribbean flair, as soon as you set foot on the island. You will spend your time surrounded by stunning beaches and coconut trees, the colourful traditional dresses known to the locals as ‘madras’, and delicious French Creole food. Immerse yourself in the island and you will soon be speaking the language with confidence.

Explore French courses in Martinique

4. Biarritz, France – The Jewel of the Basque Coast

top 7 places to learn french
 
Biarritz started to draw attention and experience its ‘golden age’ in the mid-19th century when Napoleon III made it his regular vacation spot. The city still retains the glamour and sophistication of this period and exudes an air of a luxurious vacation spot, but one not just for aristocrats. Travellers love the city’s deeply rooted culture and historical architecture, and its rocky coastline offers some of Europe’s prime surfing beaches, attracting surfers year after year. Our school in Biarritz offers high-quality tuition with one of the best schools in the country.

Explore French courses in Biarritz

5. Montpellier, France – A Multicultural Hive

tpp 7 places to learn french
 
The capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region Montpellier is equally stylish, elegant and graceful as its more populated counterparts, while it benefitting from a Northern African influence, making it one of southern France’s most culturally diverse cities. Montpellier’s student culture dates back to the 13th century when the prestigious University of Montpellier was first established. Since then student life and language learning have been interwoven with the city’s everyday life and hosting students has become a matter of cultural pride. Today the student population makes up over a third of the population and keeps this traditional hub of education young, vibrant and highly fashionable.

Explore French courses in Montpellier

6. Paris, France – The City of Love and Culture

top 7 places to learn french
 
No trip to France’s prime learning locations would be complete without the city of love and arts. The capital of the ‘Grande Nation’ is the birthplace and focal point of French culture and has been the dream destination of lovers, artists, lyricist, cooks and tourists for centuries. Be it witnessing the glorious art at the Louvre, enjoying the breath-taking view from atop the Eifel Tower, keeping up with the newest haute couture in enchanting boutiques or just wandering the lovely streets of the famous arrondissements – Every single experience in Paris is worthy of being on a true globetrotter’s bucket-list.

Explore French courses in Paris

7. Montreal, Canada – Old Culture in the New World

top 7 places to learn french
 
Like no other stop on our list Montreal is a city of opposites. It manages to combine the wild and adventurous spirit of the Americas with the profound and sophisticated influence of French culture. From its quaint old city centre to the modern landmarks that have earned the city the title of UNESCO City of Design in 2006, this cosmopolitan centre of French-Canada will engage all of your senses. Montreal’s pulsing cultural scene provides an abundance of exhibitions, comedy shows, concerts and festivals. With its two official languages Montreal can, furthermore, be called one of the very few truly bilingual cities, which makes it especially hospitable to beginner and advanced students of French alike.

Explore French Courses in Montreal
 

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 23 different languages in 11 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

Top 7 Places to Learn Spanish

top 7 places to learn Spanish

Our Top 7 Places to Learn Spanish in Spain and Latin America

There are many fantastic places to take a Spanish language course, from capital cities and historic towns, to tropical beaches and local villages. Spain, home of Castilian Spanish, is the first choice for many, however, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous then Latin America offers many wonderful and fascinating locations to improve your español! Find our Top 7 Places to Learn Spanish!

 

1. Bocas Del Toro: The Hidden Caribbean Gem

top 7 places to learn Spanish

 

Bocas Del Toro is a little-known archipelago of Caribbean Islands with a hippy-beach-vibe combined with world-class diving. A fantastic place to kick-back and relax but also home to one of the best schools in Central America. Improve your Spanish in a small group setting during the day, and dance the night away at el Barco Hundido – a bar set right over the sea with its own shipwreck!

Explore our Spanish courses in Bocas del Toro

 

2. Havana, Cuba: Salsa Central

top 7 places to learn Spanish

Havana is a splendid city, there is a nostalgic charm to its dilapidated exterior yet is so beautiful the photos can never do it justice. From impromptu salsa dancing in the street, to mojitos with the locals, you will be awed and inspired by their energy and enthusiasm, for their lives, and in particular for their country.

In Havana all Spanish courses are held in the homestay accommodation, with the teacher delivering classes in the living/dining area of the accommodation. This is a great immersive experience as you not only get to live with Spanish speakers but also have the structure of more formal training with your teacher. And in your free time you can explore the fascinating Havana at your leisure.

Explore our Spanish courses in Havana

 

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Everything Argentinian

top 7 places to learn Spanish

Buenos Aires is culturally in a class of its own. Its traditions and attributes are strong, and cannot be confused with any other city on the planet. Argentinian tango, asado (Argentinian steak cooked the Argentinian way), Argentinian red wine (Malbec) and Argentinian football (Boca Juniors or River Plate) are all a key part of Buenos Aires, its people and their way of life.

If you are unfamiliar with the Argentinian accent you will find there are some differences in the pronunciation but given the friendliness of the people you will be chatting with the locals in no time, becoming the best of friends.

Explore our Spanish courses in Buenos Aires

 

4. Valencia, Spain: A Gastronomic Love Affair

top 7 places to learn Spanish

If you went to Barcelona and fell in love, then Valencia should be next on your list. Valencia has fewer tourists and more affordable prices than its neighbour up the coast, but keeps the great beaches, fantastic food and chilled vibe.

Our school in Valencia is unique in its decor and arguably offers the best Spanish language teaching in the country. Being so close to the rest of Europe and with such good flight connections there really is no reason not to squeeze in a cheeky week in Valencia.

Explore our Spanish courses in Valencia

 

4. Cartagena, Colombia: Plata or Plomo?

top 7 places to learn Spanish

OK, forget Narcos, that’s Medellín anyway. Cartagena is the perfect place to learn Spanish if you want to combine your learning experience with an unforgettable beach experience.

Cartagena has many faces and the one that cannot be missed is Cartagena’s Old Town, a Unesco World Heritage site, lying within 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Historic, colourful and vibrant, this alone is enough to warrant Cartagena a place in our top 7 places to learn Spanish.

Explore our Spanish courses in Cartagena

 

5. Cusco, Peru: Find the Perfect Pisco

top 7 places to learn Spanish

Cusco is a pretty colonial town, with a great night life and the starting point for many a person wishing to trek up to Machu Picchu. Cusco appeals for its size and local feel. This is not a big city and in just a few days you will feel like a local. Cusco is a great jumping off point to discover other parts of Peru and Bolivia, yet it is also the perfect place to stop for a few weeks, and get that Spanish up to scratch. There are also plenty of fabulous bars and restaurants to experience the drink of Peru – the pisco sour.

Explore our Spanish courses in Cusco

 

7. Barcelona, Spain: It’s a Favourite for a Reason

top 7 places to learn Spanish

No top 7 places to learn Spanish list would be complete without the ever-popular Barcelona, an amazing location to learn Spanish. Worth a visit any time of the year as a city-on-the-beach Barcelona really comes into its own during the summer months.

Gaudi, the old town, great shopping and the Catalan air of sophistication that is unique to Barcelona, gives the city it’s ‘encanto’ that has made it so popular. With a busy language student population Barcelona is the place to go to meet like-minded people.

Explore our Spanish courses in Barcelona

 

How to Book a Spanish Course?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process.  Check the location links to find more information on the Top 7 Places to Learn Spanish.

For information on any of our Top 7 Places to Learn Spanish, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have.

 

BOOK YOUR SPANISH COURSE TODAY

 

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 15 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

5 Best Spanish Schools in Spain

best spanish schools spain

The 5 Best Spanish Schools in Spain – Barcelona to Seville!

There is no better way to improve your Spanish and accelerate your Spanish language learning than to take an immersion course in a Spanish speaking country. From Peru to Colombia, Costa Rica to Argentina, there are many locations and schools to choose from. However, there are also some fantastic schools to choose from in Spain, with Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Seville and Valencia as the most popular destinations. We have listed the 5 best Spanish Schools in Spain for you!

Cactus offers outstanding Spanish language courses in Spain and across the worldin the UKonline and private classes. If you have any questions about any of our Spanish schools in Spain please call us on +44 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our team of multilingual experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

5 Best Spanish Schools in Spain:

Best Spanish Schools: Barcelona

best Spanish school barcelona

Expanish Barcelona School – Passeig de Gràcia: one of our favourite Spanish school in Spain. Located in a modern building in central Barcelona, close to Passeig de Gràcia. Expanish offers up-to-the-minute facilities, trendy décor and super friendly staff.

The school has some of the best Spanish teachers around and provides effective immersion courses! There is a well-organised activity programme that takes students on many free adventures a around Barcelona. A great opportunity to discover the many gems that Barcelona has to offer. As far as Spanish language schools in Spain go, no one does it better than Expanish.

Discover our Spanish school in Barcelona!

 

Best Spanish Schools: Madrid

best spanish schools madrid

Enforex Madrid School – Plaza de España: located in the Argüelles area of Madrid, this school is a short 5 minute walk from Plaza de España. The school is large, with a wide choice of courses and timetables to choose from. Situated right in the centre of the city , the school offers excellent facilities.

Enforex Madrid is also accredited by the Instituto Cervantes – take DELE exam preparation to prove your level of Spanish. The school offers a wide range of accommodation options and a busy social programme. A great choice for those wishing to learn pure Castilian Spanish.

Discover our Spanish school in Madrid!

 

Best Spanish Schools: Malaga

best Spanish school malaga

Clic Malaga School – Central Malaga: situated in the heart of the city and within walking distance from the beach. Clic Malaga is located in a stylish and renovated building. The school is very popular with both long term and short term students, with many nationalities studying here from all over the world.

Clic Malaga has an amazing activity programme! It includes guided visits around the city, wine tasting sessions and excursions to Seville and Córdoba.

Discover our Spanish school in Malaga!

 

Best Spanish Schools: Seville

best Spanish school seville

Clic Seville School – Plaza Nueva: one of the most stunning school receptions you will ever come across – with it’s breath-taking galleried atrium. Clic Seville school also has a huge roof terrace for sunbathing and a pool to cool off in.

Despite it’s hotelesque qualities, Clic Seville is friendly and caring, with one member of staff for every four students. The Spanish courses are accredited by both the Instituto Cervantes and Universitat de Barcelona. The school also offers a very popular 50+ course.

Discover our Spanish school in Seville!

 

Best Spanish Schools: Valencia

Spanish Courses Valencia

Taronja School – Central Valencia: the school is situated in the heart of Valencia. Close to El Barrio del Carmen, the main sights and Spain’s most vibrant market – Mercado Central. The beach is only 15 minutes away from the city centre by metro.

Located in modern and very stylish building, Taronja school offers affordable Spanish courses. The school also offers a fantastic activity programme, from paella dinners to flamenco lessons. A great opportunity learn Spanish at one of the best schools in Spain and to discover one the most beautiful Spanish cities – Valencia!

Discover our Spanish school in Valencia!

 

Are you looking to study Spanish at one of the best schools in Spain? Do you dream about living Spain and exploring the Spanish culture? Cactus offers a variety of great Spanish language courses for adults and Spanish language camps for juniors, for those looking to start an immersive language experience.

Learning Spanish is a wonderful way to discover the amazing cultures of many different countries! Going away soon? Then Download our free Spanish Language Kit.

BOOK YOUR SPANISH COURSE TODAY

 

How to Book a Spanish Course?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process.  Check the location links to find more information on the 5 Best Spanish Schools in Spain.

For information on any of our Best Spanish Schools in Spain, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 23 different languages in 11 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Junior language camps: immersion programmes for children and teens across the world
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: 23 languages online and for teacher training