The Cactus Language Scoop

The Cactus Language Scoop - May '06

There's a tease of summer in the air and thoughts are turning to holidays...but where to go and what to do? In its 2006 Holiday Trends report, ABTA confirms that not only is Spain the top leisure destination for British tourists, but that 'themed holidays' such as dancing, golfing, cultural & gastronomic are becoming more popular as holidaymakers want more out of their holiday experience.

So, not wanting to disappoint our fun-loving language learners, Cactus are this summer offering our biggest ever range of Language & Activity Holidays - and what better way to kick off than with our Spanish & Salsa holiday in Barcelona...

1. Feature Holiday - Spanish & Salsa in Barcelona
2. NEW Junior Courses for the Summer!
3. Win a Rough Guide Phrasebook!
4. Your Feedback - Malaga, Montpellier & Ecuador
5. Cactus Affiliate Special Offer

:: Spanish & Salsa Holiday in Barcelona

Swinging your hips & putting together a few phrases to impress the locals are what this holiday's all about! It's perfect if you're on your own, but also great if you want to bring friends or a partner - whatever the case, it's guaranteed fun with like-minded people! Our Spanish & Salsa Holiday includes:

Spanish (20 lessons / 4 each morning)
Salsa (10 lessons / 2 each afternoon)
Welcome evening
Bilingual tour host & orientation pack
Return airport transfer from Barcelona airport to hotel
Comprehensive programme of activities

:: NEW Junior Courses for the Summer!

Ready for the summer, we're delighted to launch our brand new Junior Courses which are now available in
9 different countries, 38 locations and 5 languages...

Courses are specifically geared towards our younger learners (4-18 yrs) and offer the unique opportunity to learn a language and at the same time take part in a whole range of activities with others of the same age.

Courses run from 2 week upwards and are the perfect way to fill the long summer holidays - to say nothing of offering the best revision you can get in a language!

:: Win a Rough Guides Phrasebook!

We Have 10 Rough Guides Phrasebooks to Give Away!

Rough Guides have just launched their new-look Phrasebooks and we're excited to be offering a shiny new Phrasebook to 10 Cactus newsletter readers! Rather then just give these away we'd like something in return...a bit of a giggle, to be precise! Given that we've all got some language learning experience, we'd like you to send us your most embarrassing language blunder. We've all been there and we know what it's like...so don't be shy, send in your stories and the 10 entrants that make us chuckle the most will each receive a Phrasebook and have their experience posted on our website.

NEW Rough Guide Phrasebook - Spanish

NEW Rough Guide Phrasebook - Swahili

NEW Rough Guide Phrasebook - Vietnamese

Being the language experts that we are, it's only fair that we let you into our own language blunder secrets...so let us kick off the competition by sharing some of our stories with you:

"In an interview the interviewer asked how old I was in Japanese, so I replied that I was 2005… he said I looked good for my age!"

"I announced to a group of new German flatmates that I was going to go and jump down the toilet, when what I meant to say was I was going to the toilet..."

"In my previous company we had to type all phone conversations into the system and, after chasing some medical reports, I wrote: 'I told the client I was on top of Dr Richter to obtain the medical report'."

More about the NEW Rough Guides Phrasebooks

Each Rough Guide phrasebook includes 16 pages of scenario material presented in easy-to-locate tinted boxes. These scenarios are also available online as downloadable audio files. Recorded with native speakers, the files can be downloaded for FREE online to a PC or Mac, and then to an iPod or other MP3 player. These are ideal for practising your pronunciation and polishing your accent either before you travel or while on the road.

Titles include: Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Egyptian Arabic, French, German, Greek, Hindi & Urdu, Italian, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Mexican Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

:: Your Feedback - Malaga & Montpelier

Spanish in Malaga, Spain

"I felt that I gained a lot from the course. The levels
were well allocated, the work useful and the
staff friendly. I was also pleased with the Spanish dictionary I was given and found that the amount of homework set was both reasonable and achievable."
Lauren Sparrow

French in Montpellier, France

"Excellent quality teaching, well organised and lots
of extra activities on offer. The location was absolutely fantastic! Montpellier is young, lively and vibrant, with a third of its citizens as students. There are lots of nice cafés, eateries and shops - I'd recommend everything!

I stayed with a family, who were very welcoming and kind. Excursions and extra activities organised by the school included a workshop on cheese and an evening out for a meal."

Valeria Milanesio

Spanish & Volunteering in Quito & Mindo, Ecuador

"I'd travelled with Cactus three times before and this time I went to Ecuador for 2 months. The school and classes were good and the teaching was generally excellent,
with a good mixture of grammar, vocabulary and conversation. There was also a good mix of activities including games, films and trips. I learnt a lot about the politics and culture of the country in classes too.

I stayed with two lovely families and the accommodation was simple but comfortable. It was frustrating at times when I couldn't say what I wanted, but I improved my Spanish greatly by talking to the families.

I most appreciated the kindness, courtesy, generosity and friendliness of the Ecuadorians. I did many things I wouldn't normally do (like holding a snake, going
'tubing', improving my Spanish, making new friends
and feeling that I'd really helped with my voluntary
work (with 2 special needs kids)."
Sarah Done

Read feedback from all our locations >>

:: Cactus Affiliate Special Offer

Expand your horizons with Linguaphone

With over 100 years experience, Linguaphone is still producing some of the best home study language courses money can buy. So, in partnership with our friends at Cactus Language, we are taking 20% off the RRP of our entire range!

With courses in 15 languages and levels to suit every ability, we have a course for everyone and the best bit is you can learn at a pace to suit you. Simply select the course you want and your discount will automatically be applied. So hurry, buy now before it's too late!

:: Newsletter Feedback / Unsubscribe

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