Meet Hannah – Our Portuguese Language Holiday Winner

portuguese language holiday

 

Our Portuguese Language Holiday Winner is off to The Algarve!

by Maria Ansede

During the Language Show 2016 Cactus Language offered visitors the chance to win a language holiday abroad. Having received 100s of entries we selected one name at random and we are happy to announce that the winner of our Portuguese Course in Faro prize is Hannah from the UK! Hannah visited us on our stand at the Language Show and will receive one week Portuguese language group lessons with accommodation included in the beautiful Algarve’s city of Faro.

Where will Hannah study?

Hannah will study at our partner school in Faro, based in the centre of the town, just a short walk from the beach. She will attend Portuguese classes with a native speak and will be joined by people of all ages from all over the world. Faro is a perfect blend of Portuguese culture, history and nightlife.

What does Hannah say?

“I study Spanish and German at university and have a passion for languages. After travelling in South America in the summer and visiting Brazil, I decided I would really like to learn Portuguese. I don’t really know any Portuguese, just a few phrases, so this course will be perfect! I love travelling, experiencing new cultures and learning new languages, so I am really looking forward to the course.”

portuguese language holiday

 

We wish Hannah the best of luck on her language learning adventure, and you can follow her experiences in Portugal on our Facebook page.

Contact Us

For more information on any of our Portuguese 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:

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

Reasons to Send Your Child to a Summer Language Camp

summer language camp

Why Send your Child on a Summer Language Camp?

As social and economic globalisation continues to develop at a rapid rate, the importance of language skills, in both the workplace and in life, continue to be highlighted by employers and government education departments all over the world. Learning a language as a child or young person is often easier than as an adult – and there is no better start to learning or improving a language than joining a summer language camp. The experts at Cactus Language have provide their top reasons for why sending your child on a summer language camp may be your best decision for their future!

Download our free Summer & Winter Language Camp Guide for Parents

 

Immersion works

Taking a summer language camp, in the country that the language is spoken, offers children and teenagers the best way to learn a language. From the day they arrive they will be surrounded by the language and every day they have the opportunity to practise and improve in a relaxed and fun environment. There are many situations where they will need to use the language in order to communicate – and it is this necessity that develops both their ability and confidence in the language. At a summer camp the children and teens live, eat and sleep the language – so much so that they forget that it is also an educational experience.

 

Learning can be fun too

All of our summer language camps, from English to Spanish, French to German, offer a full programme of fun activities, sports, games and trips throughout the week and weekends. With classes in the mornings and a wide choice of sports, social events and cultural visits in the afternoons, and day excursions at the weekends, the children have the chance to relax and enjoy themselves. Every activity gives them the chance to practise what they have learnt in the classroom with both their classmates and their native speaking activity leaders.

 

Not just language skills but skills for life

In a summer language camp environment the children develop a range of soft-skills and life-skills in addition to their language skills. Making friends with children from all over the world and working in teams with members from different cultures and customs builds assertiveness, independency, negotiating skills, and self-confidence. These are the skills that your children and teens will return with should you send them on a language camp this summer.

 

Download our free Guide for Parents

If you want to help your children and teens improve not only their employability but their ability to mix with people from all over the world then you want to find out more about our Summer Language Camps – download our free Guide for Parents. This guide answers all your questions about summer language camps – from where they sleep, to who looks after them, to how much pocket money they need. Cactus Language offers summer language camps in the UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany – simply download our free Guide for parents to get a better understanding of whether a language camp is right for your child or teen.

 

How to Book a Summer Language Camp?

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 our Summer Language Camps Abroad.

For information on any of our Summer Language Camps, please check Our free Summer & Winter Language Camp Guide for Parents, 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: 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 Funding to Enhance your Teaching Skills

students5

Erasmus Plus UK Funding for Language Teachers

As a French, Spanish, German or Italian teacher in the UK education system then you may be eligible to apply for a fully funded trip abroad to enhance your teaching skills. The Erasmus Plus UK funding applications deadline ends on 2nd February, which gives you two weeks to apply for this fantastic opportunity.

Erasmus Plus UK Funding is the European Union’s initiative to increase skills and employability through training and education. Cactus Language can arrange French, German, Spanish and Italian teacher training courses that are funded by Erasmus Plus UK. Training courses range from from two days to two months and are fully funded by the initiative.

What are the aims of Erasmus Plus UK?

The funding is used to promote immersion in the language (improving language skills) and promote familiarisation with the latest cultural trends through presence in the country, in addition to expanding the teacher’s knowledge of teaching materials and methodologies. All of the courses provided by Cactus meet these requirements.

Choice of Languages and Locations

Cactus Language offers a wide choice of languages and locations where you can take your fully funded teacher training course.

✅ French: Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Paris, Biarritz

✅ Spanish: Malaga, Salamanca, Madrid

✅ German: Munich, Frankfurt

✅ Italian: Salerno

How to Apply for the Funding

If your school is already registered with the British Council and the European Commission Authentication Service (ECAS) then you simply need to register yourself on the Participant Portal and complete the application form. Find out more on the Erasmus Plus UK site. Speak to your department head about your school’s participation in this funding opportunity.

British Council Erasmus Plus
10, Spring Gardens
UK-London SW1A 2BN
Telephone British Council
E-mail British Council

Application Deadline

All applications for 2017 funding must be received by 2nd February 2017. Teacher Training Courses can be undertaken in 2017. There is a Erasmus Plus webinar on the 19th January that you can join to help you with your funding application.

Are there Funding Limits?

Your school can apply for the total amount needed and this will cover all training identified in your development plan. The funding can cover course fees, travel costs, accommodation, and living expenses for the entire duration of the training course.

Contact Us

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

 

[ninja_forms id=6]

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

Our Top 5 Winter Sun Escapes for 2017

 

Now is the time to escape those drab mornings and dark winter afternoons and get your fill of vitamin D and hot winter sun. Swap your beanie for a bikini. Exchange mulled wine for margaritas. Trade in your slippers for skinny-dipping. And why not make it a guilt-free, CV enhancing experience by combining a warm climate with improving your language skills? To check the best weather for the month you want to travel alongside the number of hours you are happy to fly use The Telegraph’s Heatseeker. Here are our top five locations for winter sun and language learning in 2017:

Winter Sun for Spanish

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

manuel antonio

 

Costa Rica is the piece of Central America that most resembles paradise – and it has some tough competition. Boasting warm weather, a chilled vibe and the advantage of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea – which can both be seen from the top of the Irazú volcano – you will return from Costa Rica a new person. Or you may choose to not return at all.

Manuel Antonio is a 3 hour drive or 25 minute flight from Costa Rica’s capital San Jose. Part of a National Park, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio offers rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches and magical coral reefs. The vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife it offers is one of its greatest draws and you are bound to come across the much photographed three-toed sloth, as well as monkeys and hundreds of bird species.

Cactus Language offers the unique experience of being able to study Spanish in a school that overlooks the pristine waters of Manuel Antonio, situated between the beach and the rainforest. With Spanish courses in Manuel Antonio from £310 per week for 20 hours and a wide range of accommodation options including homestay with local families, this is an opportunity not just for a piece of winter sun but to immerse yourself in a world a million miles away from what you will find outside your office window.

Antigua, Guatemala

antigua guatemala

 

A small country sandwiched between Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras, Guatemala is not the most obvious choice for a winter get-away. But Guatemala, with its gorgeous beaches, Mayan ruins, fabulous food and super-friendly locals, it a rising star and offers everything you could want from a South American adventure, minus the hoards of backpackers. Better to get there before everyone else does.

On the list of must-see places in Guatemala, Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes and full of Spanish colonial buildings. The town is extremely pretty and provides a perfect insight into local life. You cannot fail to feel welcomed by the locals, which is also doubles as a great opportunity to practise your Spanish!

With Spanish courses in Antigua Guatemala from just £87, yes £87 per week for 20 hours of language tuition, you can immerse yourself in the Spanish language whilst still leaving time to visit all the places you cannot afford to miss in this unique little country.

Havana, Cuba

havana cuba

Cuba has long been a reliable option for a winter escape and allows visitors to combine a beach getaway with a cultural experience. Havana, full of romantic Hispanic architecture, 1950s classic cars, salsa music which pours out of every street corner and the best mojitos you will ever try – is only a couple of hours drive to the beautiful beaches of Varadero. Make sure you have time to do both.

With two-week language courses in Havana starting at only £355 for 20 hours per week of language tuition you can easily come back with not only a tan but a whole new vocabulary!

CONTACT US NOW, Contactez-nous maintenant, Contattaci Ora, Ponte en Contacto

Winter Sun for French

Fort-de-france, Martinique

french and diving

 

Martinique, also known as the ‘island of flowers’ is more rugged and more real than some of its neighbours and Caribbean counterparts. Offering a blend of French and West Indian influences, a diversity of landscapes and atmospheres, its beaches will impress you and its diving is to die for.

French and diving courses are offered from our school in the main town of Fort de France. And with an average annual temperature of 26 degrees you can take advantage of everything there is to offer both on land, in the sea and in the classroom. French plus diving courses are just £385 per week.

Winter Sun for Portuguese

Olinda, Brazil

olinda brazil

 

Olinda is one of the prettiest colonial towns in Brazil, just 6km north of Recife it is knows as an artists’ colony, full of galleries, workshops and museums. The town is full of colourful guest houses and excellent restaurants and bars, whilst retaining a quaint, laid-back charm that offers a tranquil escape from its bigger neighbour. The historic centre of Olinda was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.

With Brazilian Portuguese courses in Olinda from only £254 per week for 20 hours tuition and a wide range of accommodation options available, contact us for more information.

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.

[ninja_forms id=6]

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