Language Specialists

Specialist Reports Special Interest Holidays Languages and Holidays Language Specialists Cactus Language 

	Cactus Language
Santa Fe Trading Ltd, 9 Foundry Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4AT			MAP
tel: (01273) 687 697

A language travel agency started in just 1997 but moving fast, now working with 23 countries and able to tailormake holidays to client's requirements. The company highlights the importance of someone or a department which looks after the student's welfare throughout the stay and ensures that the selected host family and language level is right for the child.

Where

France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Cuba, Ecuador and China.

Ages

Teenagers can join courses year round but there is a range of summer courses lasting 1-3 weeks specifically for 11-18 years.

How Long

From one week to a full year.

Learning

Standard is 20 hours a week though variants are available. Also gap year option including volunteer programmes in South America, work placements in Europe. Among those are language courses plus ski resort work with First Choice.

Other Activities

Each school offers an activity programme, generally included in the price. For example in Montpellier there is a welcome party, beach volleyball and beach olympics, sports, pop quiz, indoor games, video nights, and town walk.

Accommodation

Host family accommodation is recommended for parents wanting their children to brush up on a language before exam time because it offers fuller immersion. Where parents are more concerned that the child has a holiday, the suggestion is a student residence "where there is a wide variety of children from all over the world" and "perhaps less French or Spanish spoken". The company emphasises that host families are well vetted.

Sample Price

Prices in France are from £319 per week inclusive of course, materials, full board and activities. In Spain prices are from £208 per week half board and with activities.