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Language Holidays On-a-Shoestring: Top 7 Tips

Are you looking to go abroad and learn a new language? Are you thinking of how to make the most of you money when abroad? Where you can learn a language and enjoy your summer holidays?

Choosing the best language holidays on a budget is an important task so it’s more important than ever to be clever about your budgeting and spending on your language holiday. Follow our top 7 tips for a language holidays on-a-shoestring and you can still take your language holiday abroad, have a fantastic time and improve your language skills, without breaking the bank.

1. Different Schools, Different Prices

Different schools are priced differently according to their location, size and facilities available to the students. Cactus Language only offers schools with high quality tuition and accommodation however, there is a range of prices so check online for the different locations and school to make sure you find the best deal.

If you are not sure, one of our advisors can help you find the best option for your language holidays on-a-shoestring.

2. Check the Special Offers

Cactus Language always has some great special offers available for a wide range of languages and locations. Often these special offers are unique to Cactus and cannot be found anywhere else, so make sure you check out our offers page.

The special offer are valid for Adult courses, 50+ courses and Junior summer camps.

3. Change Currency Before you Go

Ordering money online or going to the Post Office is a great way of avoiding those high commission charges at the airport or when you take money out of a cash machine. Plan ahead and you could save yourself a bundle when planning a language holidays on-a-shoestring.

4. Use a comparison website

There are some great comparison sites such as Skyscanner and Edreams that will give you the best priced air tickets. If you are flexible on your dates then you will have even more chance of getting yourself a bargain on your airfare.

5. Get Funding from Your Employer

This is not one many people consider but it’s definitely worth asking. Most companies have an allocated training budget and if improving your language skills will help you in your job then you have a great case for getting some, if not all, of your language course paid for by your company as part of your professional development training.

6. Stay with a Host Family

Staying with a host-family means a higher degree of cultural integration and an improved opportunity to practise the language you are learning. In addition to these great benefits staying with a host family is generally cheaper than staying in a shared apartment or studio, and the host family will provide breakfast or breakfast and dinner for a cheaper rate than eating out or buying your own groceries.

7. Download Travel Apps like Time Out

Travel apps give you a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, from maps to historical information, free events to the coolest bars and restaurants, it’s great to be in the know when you are new to a city. Download these before you go and you could even try using the app in the language you are learning.

How to Book a Language Holidays On-a-Shoestring?

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 about language holidays on-a-shoestring and start learning a language.

For information on any of our language courses or language holidays on-a-shoestring, 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 COURSE TODAY

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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 5 Places to Learn French

Top 5 Places to Learn French Across the World

How should you choose where to learn French? With so many French speaking countries to choose from, so many interesting cities and fantastic beaches it is difficult to know where to take your French language holiday. With our top 5 places to learn French you can take your pick from our favourite options!

France is an obvious destination as the birthplace and home of French but there are many more exotic and intriguing locations, from the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean, where you can immerse yourself in the francophone culture!

1. Reunion Island, Indian Ocean – An Undiscovered Secret

Reunion Island or ‘La Réunion’ is one of the most unusual places to learn French in the world. This small island in the Indian Ocean provides an exotic backdrop to your French language learning experience.

From paradisaical beaches and majestic landscapes to stunning towns and tropical forests every day is a new adventure, all whilst immersing yourself in the French-speaking culture. There is no doubt that Reunion Island takes the first spot on our top 5 places to learn French!

French courses in Reunion Island from €385

2. Lyon, France – A Gastronomic Experience

Lyon is the perfect place to learn french if you want to combine your learning experience with a culinary experience to delight your taste buds!

Situated at the confluence confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers, Lyon is also renowed for it’s fantastic local cuisine, extensive eating options, and wide range of dining experiences! You will be able to learn French and have a taste of the “joie de vivre”!

French courses in Lyon from €225

3. Martinique, The Caribbean – A Beach Paradise

French is spoken all over the world so why not take a French language course in The French Caribbean, because, now you can. The paradise island of Martinique is 70km long and 30km wide.

Martinique is also known as the ‘Island of Flowers’, the turquoise waters that can be found on all sides and the abundance of coconut trees should not distract you from the colourful tradition dresses (madras), the sensual dancing and the delicious French’s Creole food.

French courses in Martinique from €300

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

Biarritz started to draw attention and experienced its own ‘golden age’ in the mid-19th century when Napoleon III made it his regular holiday spot. The city still retains much of the glamour and sophistication from this period and exudes an air of self-importance.

Its rocky coastline offers some of Europe’s best surfing and attracts hoards of surfers every year. The two exist in perfect harmony and provide a unique atmosphere in a beautiful location.

French courses in Biarritz from €300

5. Montpellier, France – A Multicultural Hive

The capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region Montpellier is a lesser known excellent alternative to Marseille and Nice. It is equally as stylish, elegant and graceful as its more populated counterparts and benefits from Northern African influence to make it one of southern France’s most multicultural cities.

Montpellier’s student population dates back to the 13th century when its university was established. The student population now makes up over a third of the population and keeps this old city young in many ways. No top 5 places to learn French would be complete without giving Montpellier a spot.

French courses in Montpellier from €230

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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

Montpellier: An Enchanteur French Language Holiday

A Memorable French Language Holiday in Montpellier

From its medieval old quarter to its contemporary architecture and art scene, Montpellier is a charming and dynamic city that is usually among the top places to live in France, according to the French population. Close to the south coast of the country, Montpellier has a typical Mediterranean climate and is one of the most cultured and accepting cities in France. If you wish to savour the best French cuisine while also discovering a perfect mix of lively squares, elegant boutiques and arts festivals, Montpellier is the place to do a French language holiday.

Lewis, our Evening Language Courses Manager at Cactus, took a week long French language course with Accent Français in Montpellier last summer. Here, he shares his French language holiday experience in Montpellier. He also offers a few reasons why you might want to take a French language course in Montpellier too!

Why did you decide to do a French language holiday in Montpellier?

I had previously visited Paris many times and wanted to visit the South of France because it was more appealing as a holiday destination for the summer and much less busy. I have a strong interest in French culture and wanted to improve my French so visiting a new place in France interested me greatly.

What did you do during your French language course in Montpellier?

On the first day of the course a tutor assessed my language ability and then I joined an intermediate group. There were students from Bulgaria, Mexico, Japan, and Puerto Rico and with French as our only common language it encouraged me to interact in French from the start.

Each day I took lessons in the morning from 9 – 12, with the time split between 2 teachers and a short break in between. The teachers for my class were both native to Montpellier and were very supportive, encouraging all of the class to contribute to the lesson.

The teaching focused on different aspects of the language. For example a lesson that focused heavily on grammar was then followed by a lesson which involved a lot of speaking and listening activities, so the course did not feel too intense.

Aside from language tuition, the school arranges several activities each day. We were offered walking tours, film screenings, excursions to nearby towns, and food tastings in Montpellier restaurants. The walking tour was free and is a great introduction for the first day in Montpellier as it gave me the opportunity to learn about the city and practice my French listening and speaking skills.

What do you think about Montpellier now?

Montpellier is a great city for any tourist. As well as being near the Mediterranean coast (the beach is a short drive from the centre and can be reached by bus or tram) there is a lot to visit including Musée Fabre – a large art museum –, nice botanical gardens and the historic old town with small streets lined with cafes and shops. I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of life in this town and it is an ideal destination to learn French because people are very welcoming.

How would you rate your learning experience during your course?

During my stay in Montpellier I was able to meet several people, both inside and outside of the school, and converse confidently in French at an intermediate level. I also gained confidence when ordering food and drinks, or asking for directions. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in learning French and taking a holiday, the teaching and location were both excellent.

Are you looking to go do a French language holiday in Montpellier? Would you like to go explore the south of France? Do you think about sending your child or teen to a French language camp? Cactus offers a variety of great French language courses for adults and French language camps for juniors, for those looking to start an immersive language experience.

Doing a French language holiday in Montpellier with Cactus is just the beginning! Going away soon? These Basic French Phrases will help you on your way and you can also Download our FREE French Language Kit.

Free French Language Kit

How to Book a French Course in Montpellier?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the destination page to find more information about a French language holiday in Montpellier.

For information on any of our French courses in Montpellier, 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 Now

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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

10 things you might not know about New York

The most interesting facts about the Big Apple

New York City, also known as The Melting Pot because of its great variety of ethnicities and languages, has so many famous highlights that visiting the city for the first time is very much like watching a movie become real life. For those returning a second, third or fourth time the city will continue to amaze you with its little wonders, present on every street corner you turn.

Everyone identifies New York, with its yellow cabs, famed skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty. But we wish to explain a few less well-known things that will probably surprise you about the city that never sleeps.

1. The city was a 17th-century Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam until the English conquered it and renamed it.

2. Half of all New Yorkers speak a language other than English at home.

3. Over 200 languages are spoken in New York City.

4. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the US in 1886. It became the symbol of immigration during the 19th century often being the first thing millions of immigrants saw when they arrived by boat.

5. New York City has the largest Chinese population of any city outside of Asia.

6. Times Square is named after The New York Times daily newspaper which moved its headquarters to that place in 1904.

7. The first pizzeria in the country was opened in New York in 1895.

8. The strange nitrogen gas tanks you may see on the corners of some streets are used to keep underground telephone copper wires dry so phone and internet services can run without problems.

9. The island of Manhattan derives its name from the language of a Native American tribe that lived in the area. Its meaning is “island of many hills”.

10. You can be fined $50 for placing your bag on an empty seat on the subway because using more than one seat is not allowed (even if the train is not full).

If you would like to experience any of the above then why not take an English courses in New York with Cactus Language. We also offer English courses across the US that are available from one week to a year-long and will give you a great insight into American culture and all that it has to offer.

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:

Easter Escapes to Spain, Portugal or Italy

Easter brings some of the most flamboyant celebrations to Spain, Portugal and Italy, and is a great time to visit these countries. Good weather, ancient traditions, delicious Easter-inspired dishes and fascinating processions mark an unforgettable week for those, religious or not, that have the luck to experience one of these destinations in Europe for Eastertide: Seville, Porto or Salerno.

Easter in Spain: Seville

Holy Week (Semana Santa) is a long-awaited time of the year in Spain to mark the beginning of Spring. Traditionally, people take to the streets and watch spectacular reenactments (pasos) of Holy week, with live music and the participation of the town. Seville celebrates one of the most outstanding Holy Weeks in Europe, including La Madrugá, (Maundy Thursday), an evening filled with thrilling processions and the best Spanish tapas. Immerse yourself in authentic Spanish culture this Easter and learn some of the language by taking advantage of our 5% discount – valid until 7th April. Please contact us to apply your discount.
Spanish courses in Seville

Easter in Portugal: Porto

The northern Portugal city located across the Douro river estuary wasn’t elected The Best European Destination in 2017 for nothing. Its historical centre was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 and its famous wine cellars and caves are a must-see attraction for those interested in the praised port wine. During Easter, Portuenses and visitors tour the Cathedral and the several churches of the city, especially on Good Friday, when devoted followers recreate the journey Jesus endured before his crucifixion. Many of them also go to the nearby town of Braga (just 45 minutes from Porto) which hosts the most famous Easter processions in Portugal since the 4th century. Book one of our Portuguese courses in Porto before 7th April and get a 5% off. Please contact us to apply your discount.
Portuguese courses in Porto

Easter in Italy: Salerno

The sunny coastal city of Salerno with its stunning views, medieval streets and welcoming atmosphere, is a perfect starting point for those that wish to explore the Amalfi Coast. Throughout the Easter holidays, Salerno fills with the sights of amazing processions as well as food fairs and different folk traditions related to Holy Week. Our school in Salerno has created a special cultural programme that allows you to learn Italian and make the most of your Easter experience including; cultural workshops, a visit to a Mozzarella factory, cooking lessons with Easter recipes, and excursions to Arechi Castle, Amalfi, Ravello and Pompeii. Book one of our Italian courses in Saleno before 7th April and get a 5% off. Please contact us to apply your discount.
Italian courses in Salerno

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