Why Smart People Book Now

smart people book now

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.

Looking to go abroad soon? Why not Download our Free Language Kit?

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Top 5 Places to Learn 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

top 5 places to learn French

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

top 5 places to learn French, French Courses Alpadia Lyon

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

top 5 places to learn French, French Courses Martinique

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

top 5 places to learn French, French Courses Biarritz

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

French Courses Montpellier

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

French Language Holiday in Montpellier

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.

French Language Holiday in Montpellier

 

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.

French Language Holiday in Montpellier

 

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

Hitting the Piste? Essential French Skiing Expressions

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

SnowLa neige
Lift passUn forfait
Ski liftLe téléski
To skiSkier
To hire (skis)Louer (skis)
Off-pisteHors-piste
Piste mapPlan des pistes
Ski equipment Equipement de ski
Ski jacketUne veste
Goggles Lunettes (de ski)
PolesBatons de ski
Ski bootsChaussures de ski
GlovesGants
HelmetLe casque
Ski school Une école de ski
Ski instructorMoniteur
SledgeUn traîneau
Help!Au secours!
Watch out!Attention!
It’s an emergency – C’est une urgence
Avalanche riskRisque d’avalanche
ClosedFermé
Bad weather warningAttention au mauvais temps
Cross-country skiing – Le ski de fond
Downhill skiingLe ski alpin
Mulled wineVin chaud
A beer pleaseUne 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