Cactus Language News Archives | Page 13 of 15

Hitting the Piste? Essential French Skiing Expressions

Don’t Look like a Plank on the Piste with our French Skiing Expressions

February and March are the best months for skiing with great snow coverage combined with longer and warmer days. Whether you are on-piste or off-piste it’s always useful to have a few expressions in French up your ski jacket. And if you like the idea of learning French while practising your skiing or snowboarding, use these french skiing expressions and don’t forget to check our French + Skiing courses in France (Morzine and Annecy). french skiing expressions

French Expressions for the Slopes

Snow – La neige
Lift pass – Un forfait
Ski lift – Le téléski
To ski – Skier
To hire (skis) – Louer (skis)
Off-piste – Hors-piste
Piste map – Plan des pistes
Ski equipment – Equipement de ski
Ski jacket – Une veste
Goggles – Lunettes (de ski)
Poles – Batons de ski
Ski boots – Chaussures de ski
Gloves – Gants
Helmet – Le casque
Ski school – Une école de ski
Ski instructor – Moniteur
Sledge – Un traîneau
Help! – Au secours!
Watch out! – Attention!
It’s an emergency – C’est une urgence
Avalanche risk – Risque d’avalanche
Closed – Fermé
Bad weather warning – Attention au mauvais temps
Cross-country skiing – Le ski de fond
Downhill skiing – Le ski alpin
Mulled wine – Vin chaud
A beer please – Une bière s’il vous plait

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language holidays please call us on 01273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 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

Get Romantic, Go Italian: The Italian Glossary of Love

Get Romantic and Go Italian this Valentine’s Day

It’s no secret that the Italian language has an attractive and lilting sound that makes it one of the most romantic languages in the world. What you may not know is how to use these beautiful expressions to win over the object of your affection this Valentine’s and assist you with your soulful declarations of love. Learn now with our Italian glossary of love

L’ amore è tutto: Italian love expressions

Avere il cuore nello zucchero – To have your heart dipped in sugar, to be in love

Riprendersi dopo una delusione d’amore – To recover from a heartbreak

Sei la mia anima gemella – You are my soul mate

Sei il mio migliore amico/amica – You are my very best friend

Mi vuoi sposare – Will you marry me?

Si, ti sposo / No grazie – Yes, I’ll marry you / No thanks

Ti penso ogni giorno – I think about you every day

Provo a dimenticarti ma non ci riesco – I try to forget you but I can’t

Sei bellissimo/bellissima – You are very beautiful

L’amore e’ cieco – Love is blind

Posso darti un bacio? – Can I give you a kiss?

Ti abbraccio/ ti do un abbraccio – I’ll give you a hug

Per me sei perfetto/perfetta – You are perfect to me

Il cuore ha ragioni che la mente non comprende – The heart has reasons that the mind doesn’t understand

Mi manchi – I miss you

Ho bisogno di tempo – I need time

Ti amo da morire – I love you so much

Sono tuo/tua – I am yours

Vita mia: My life

Cucciolo – Puppy

Tesoro – Treasure

Dolce metà – Other half

L’ amore è tutto – Love is everything

Baci: sweeten the day with chocolate kisses

If you wish to gift more than words to your loved one, the typical Valentine’s Day chocolates in Italy are the Baci (kisses) Perugina, which are droplet shaped chocolates containing romantic phrases, sayings, quotations from famous writers and poets, and wise proverbs. They are the equivalent of Chinese cookies, but Italian, romantic and made of chocolate.

Contact Us

For more information on any of our Italian language courses in Italy (or perhaps on Italian glossary of love) please call us on 01273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Studying English and Working in Brighton

Studying English and Working in Brighton : My First-hand Experience

by David Vales

After checking Google day and night, day after day, you finally make up your mind: you are moving to the UK to study English and get a job. It all sounds great and it is, but now you have more than a thousand unanswered questions. Where are you going to study? What kind of English course is best for you? Will you find a job straight away? Where are you going to live?

My name is David Vales, and four years ago I was exactly in this situation. I wanted to come to Brighton UK to brush up on my English and get some work experience, I just wished someone had given me the advice that I am going to give you right know. There are three main points to focus on: finding an English course, finding accommodation and finding a job. We will assuming that you are moving to the UK with enough money to live for a month, and that your objective is to find everything you need (job, home, school) as soon as possible. So this is what I would do if I could go back in time and do everything again.

Finding an English Course

You have probably already seen a thousand schools on Google. Your’ve compared prices but comparing quality is equally important. It is better to attend a good school for 6 to 15 hours than a bad school with 18 people in a class for 25 hours per week. Personally I would not book more than 15 hours per week, because you do not know when you will be working.

Finding accommodation

The most cost effective and easiest way to find accommodation is by staying with a host family through an English course provider. In many places like Brighton or London finding a room is more difficult than finding a job, knowing that you have a room when you arrive gives you peace of mind; otherwise you will be so stressed out that you will not be able to focus on your other 2 goals. Once there, you can look for a room in a shared flat in websites which specialise in good and affordable rental accommodation.

Finding a job

Be realistic and start looking immediately. Do not think that you will find your dream job, look for one that is going to pay your expenses. Nowadays there are thousand of websites at your fingertips offering part-time and temporary work or freelance work. Prepare your CV and a cover letter and start applying. Once in the UK print 100’s of your CV and hand it into every single restaurant, company or place of work you are interested in.

So, now there is no excuse. Pack your things up, print your boarding pass and enjoy! In less than two weeks and with a bit of luck you might be working, studying and enjoying the UK and a whole new experience!

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language courses please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

St Valentine’s Day Special

St Valentine’s Day Special: 3 Destinations to Learn the Language of Love

True love is worthy of celebration everyday but there is no better way to demonstrate your affection than to share a learning experience in one of these three breathtakingly romantic cities – Paris, Venice or Rome. St Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we can help you choose the perfect gift for your partner with our Valentine’s Day offers.

Paris: French & Free Theatre/Opera show

How about traversing the charming Parisian streets, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, while you fully savour the city and parle a little francais? Improve your French language and cultural knowledge all at the same time by taking advantage of free tickets for the theatre or opera. Exclusive accommodation is also included in the package price of £514 per person per week.
St Valentine’s Special Offer: French courses Paris

Venice: Italian & Cultural Programme

The City of Bridges, The City of Masks, Queen of the Adriatic… its multiple monikers tell a story of many faces. Discover Venice with your beloved and fall in love with its amazing architecture, magical streets, and each other – all while you learn the beautiful Italian language. Our package includes Italian classes and accommodation in a private reconverted cloister, all for just £450 per person per week.
St Valentine’s Special Offer: Italian courses Venice

Rome: Italian & Wine course

The Romans believed that no matter what happened to the world, Rome would go on forever and the Eternal City, with its enduring and historical landmarks, has defeated the test of time. Rome is a city that you need to visit at least once in your lifetime and in this eternal city you may just find eternal love. Taste not just the delicious Italian food but also the language of love, while you indulge in wonderful Italian wines. Could this be the perfect St Valentine’s Day option for you?
St Valentine’s Special Offer: Italian + Cooking courses in Rome

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language holidays please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Welcome to the Year of the Rooster!

The Chinese New Year is one the most celebrated and colourful events across the world and this year is the “year of the rooster” starting on the 28th January 2017.

7 Interesting Facts about the Chinese New Year

1. You can wish someone a happy new year in Chinese by saying xīnnián kuàilè (new year happiness!), xīnnián hǎo (new year goodness!) or gōngxǐ fācái (happiness and prosperity!)

2. Chinese New Year’s date is regulated by the Chinese lunar calendar. That’s the reason why the start date is never fixed and it falls in either January or February each year.

3. 12 different animals give name to the 12 years in the Chinese calendar (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig). Each animal is related to a particular element (water, wood, fire or metal) and specific characteristics are associated with each of them. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster and according to Chinese zodiac people born under the Rooster sign are honest, bright, communicative and ambitious.

4. Chinese New Year celebrations can last for two weeks. On New Year’s Eve families have a big dinner together that usually includes fish, dim sum, dumplings and several desserts.

5. Doors and windows are decorated with phrases relating to happiness, wealth and longevity written on red paper. Many older members of the family give the younger ones money in red envelopes as a present.

6. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from eating meat the first day of the year, a practice which is thought to ensure a long life.

7. Before the start of the New Year, houses are cleaned thoroughly to sweep away any bad luck. People also buy new clothes and get their hair cut to have a symbolic fresh start.

Chinese Language Courses

If you wish to learn more about the wondrous Chinese culture and language in the year of the rooster, Cactus Language offers Chinese language courses throughout the UK and China: Mandarin courses in the UK, Cantonese courses in the UK, Mandarin courses in China, Cantonese courses in Hong Kong.

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language holidays please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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