Why Smart People Book Now for September and October
September and October are some of the best months of the year to travel in Europe – that’s why smart people book now! The weather is fantastic, not too hot but the sea is still warm and the evenings balmy.
The crowds of July and August have significantly reduced, and most importantly, you can get some of the best deals around at this time of year. Flights are cheap, accommodation plentiful – but only if you book now! So save yourself some money by booking ahead and give yourself something fabulous to look forward to. Here are our top picks for September and October.
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!
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
Welcome to the new Cactus Language website! Our new website has a number of new functions and improved user experience, with the same excellent choice of worldwide locations and language learning advice from our multilingual team.
What’s New?
✅ Simplified online booking process
✅ ‘Save & Send’ your course searches and quotes to your own email address
✅ Clear breakdown of package costs and extras
✅ Quick info pop up for all schools and courses
✅ Easy to use search bar and comparison tool
✅ ‘Life Abroad’ section with everything you need to know
✅ Dynamic pricing to give you the best offers and best prices 24/7
What’s the Same?
✅ Free online level tests for all languages
✅ FREE advice on language learning, studying abroad and course selection
✅ Best price guarantee – you will not find your course cheaper elsewhere
✅ Study with the best schools and teachers across the world
✅ Get on-going support before, during and after your trip
✅ Chat to our multilingual team in your own language about your trip
✅ Combine language courses abroad with evening classes or private lessons at your home
For more information and a free consultation on your language learning needs please contact us or call us on 00 44 (0) 1273 830 960.
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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