You’re eager to learn a new language? Here are some advises on what you can do to achieve it!
Learn on your own: you can begin to learn any language on your own, for example by reading newspapers or books in the language in question, listening to the radio, watching TV or a film you already know in the language in question with or without subtitles in the same language… You can also buy some course books, generally with CDs, or have a look at the Websites that enable you to learn a language on-line (that can even be free!)
Speak with a native speaker: it’s more and more common to find people who want to learn your language while they teach you theirs. You can easily find that on the Internet, as well as a foreign penpal!
Study at University: if you’re eagger to learn new languages, try to find a University that offers a wide range of language courses. Specific degrees based on foreign languages study also exist of course! And who knows, you may get the opportunity to enjoy a stay abroad with the Erasmus exchange program or other specific agreements! =)
Going abroad with language travel agencies: these are organisms that offer a wide range of language courses abroad, through homestays, language schools, home lessons but also other programs such as internships or jobs, language teacher assistant… They usually offer lots of different languages to learn!
You can of course combine various of the above advices to make your language skills improvement more efficient! Of course, these are not the only ways to learn a new language, so be creative!
Some weeks ago we told you about the French organism SEJ (Sports Elite Jeunes) and their original discount for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on soccer summer camps. Did you know that if you take part in these sports camps you could follow the path of some champions?
Sports summer camps with SEJ are unique and really worth participating in. They welcome each year top sportsmen and women who are eagger to share their experience as well as their career highlights and awards. They love to give advices to young participants.
Top sportsmen such as Tony Parker -basketball champion- or Laurent Blanc -World Champion of the FIFA World cup 1998- have already taken part in the sports summer camps. Different top sportsmen and women run the activities year after year.
You’re eagger to learn English, thinking of Great Britain but you’re not fan of rain? Don’t worry, there are so many locations in the world you can go to learn English, you cannot even imagine! Forget rainy United Kingdom, we’ve got a very interesting suggestion for you…
Have you ever heard of “Malta”? Even if you have, you might not be able to locate it on a world map, am I right? =)
Malta is a small island located in the Mediterranean, 100 km south of Sicily and 280 km north-east of Tunisia. Its national and official language is Maltese (an Arabic based dialect written in the Latin alphabet). English is a co-official language in Malta due to its strong British influence, since Malta has been a British colony between 1814 and 1964. Other languages are also spoken in this small island such as Arabic and Italian.
If you decide to learn English in Malta, you’ll be able to improve your English skills and enjoy sunny holidays at the same time. Indeed, Malta is famous for its Mediterranean/Subtropical climate and its wonderful historical monuments as well as its typical villages. You’ll enjoy the beautiful sea where you can dive. There are also very original villages such as Its nightlife is also known to be great.
Arabic, as part of the Semitic languages, is a very ancient language. As a result, it has had a strong influence in many other languages. For some of you, you can be sure that you use several arabic words every day without even being aware of it! As it is also the language of the Quran, millions of people are daily in touch with the Arabic language. Here are some good reasons to learn this beautiful language!
1. Arabic is in the top 5 of the most commonly spoken native languages in the world. Arabic is spoken in more than 20 countries in the world, not only in the Middle-East, but also in North Africa. More than 450 millions people speak Arabic throughout the world. It exits various arabic dialects from one country to another: dialectical arabic is known as al-lougha derija, whereas literary Arabic, which is used in writing and in formal speech and understood by any Arabic country, is called al-lougha fusHa.
2. Knowing Arabic can promote intercultural understanding. Become interculturally competent and more tolerant about other cultures! When you learn a foreign language, you also learn a lot about culture, values and traditions of the countries the language is spoken in. This enable you to become more open-minded and aware of cultural differences, of the fact that there is not necessarily one “right” way to do something, and as result, to avoid intercultural conflicts!
3. The Arabic-speaking world has a rich cultural heritage. If you go to Andalusia in Spain, you’ll surely imagine even one second you’re in an Arabic country. Indeed, Arab people let historical monuments of a great beauty there. Arab-speaking countries have a long past history in sciences and literature… Arts and musique are unique as well… Have you ever tried bellydance? And what about Arabic food and dishes? Sure you have already tasted them! Enjoy the beautiful colors and the pleasant smells of their wonderful spices!
4. The Arabic-speaking world is a fast growing market for trade. As well as China, the Arabic regions of the world are developping themselves very fast, and there are more and more business opportunities with the Arabic-speaking countries which integrate the global market.As a result, there is high demand of Arabic-speakers in the Western world but low supply… to such an extent that some countries such as the US offer financial incentives to learn Arabic!
5. The mere reason that Arabic is a great and interesting language, not so difficult to learn after all!
Some days ago we introduced you to the Work and Travel program in New Zealand. The same program also exists in Australia! Have you ever dreamt of visiting Australia? Make your dream come true! Let’s work and travel in this big country!
Australia has had a very long past history related to languages. Indeed, before European people settled there Australia had been inhabitated for more than 40 000 years by about 250 different indigenous languages. Nowadays, English is the official language of this huge country located in the Pacific ocean.
Australia is also known for its wonderful landscapes and unique wildlife: kangaroos, koalas, ostriches and many other species. Its Christmas that some people usually spent on the beautiful beaches getting a suntan or surfing is also very typical!
Moreover Australia is a real cosmopolitan country since you can meet not only Asians but also Europeans, North and South Americans or Russians as well… among other nationalities of course! So if you’re eager to discover cultures from all over the world, Australia has been made for you…
Tell me, what’s better than working in an English-speaking country if you definitely want to improve your English skills? And if you could enjoy the beaches and the sun at the same time to relax? The Work and Travel in Australia could be the perfect program to do so!
Work and Travel program is availabe for citizens of the following countries: UK,Canada, Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, Korea, Malta, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hong Kong, Finland, Cyprus, France, Italy, Taiwan, Estonia, Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and the USA. NEW IN 2010!Bangladesh; Indonesia; Iran.
Don’t wait any longer and take part in! Seize this great opportunity! The kangaroos’ country is waiting for you!
Have you ever heard about New Zealand? Maybe you have, but what do you know exactly from this beautiful wild country next to Australia? It’s high time to enjoy a trip to New Zealand! That’s a perfect way to improve your English in wonderful conditions, all the more so as if you get a job over there!
New Zealand is located in the South Pacific Ocean, 1200 miles southeast from Australia. Its name in Maori language is Aotearoa, which literally means “land of the long white cloud”. Most of the people in New Zealand are European descendants. The indigenous Maori are in reality the largest minority of the island, even if people living in New Zealand come actually from all over the world… it’s a wonderful multicultural English-speaking country!
If you go to New Zealand you’ll first enjoy its cosmoplitan aspect, but it’s not its only wealth. New Zealand enjoys unique natural resources such as mountains, wild forests, white sand beaches… be sure that you’ll fall in love with this unique island country and its so numerous landscapes’ beauties…
What do you think of these wonderful beaches? Want to have some holidays over there? And if you could work at the same time to improve your English and earn some money? Interesting, isn’t it? That’s totally possible. Indeed, the program called Work and Travel in New Zealand offers an incredible opportunity to combine tourism and work in this wonderful and unique island country. Come on and take part in this unforgettable experience!
The Work and Travel program in New Zealand is now available for citizens ofUK, Canada, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Thailand, Norway, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland. NEW IN 2010!Citizens of Estonia; Korea; Latvia; Malaysia; Malta; Mexico (from March 31st 2010); Peru; Poland; Singapore; Slovenia (from April 5th 2010); Spain (from April 20th 2010); Taiwan (from June 1st 2010); Brazil (From September 1st 2010); China, USA; Uruguay (from October 1st 2010) can also apply for a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand.
So if you are citizen of one of the above countries, don’t wait any longer and ask for further information about the program!
You want to impove your French skills but don’t know what to do… Well, there are so many different ways to learn French in France like we’ve seen in the previous articles! But if you like practising sports and if you have free time in July or in August, then the French and sports summer camp in France is definitely made for you… Let’s mix study with pleasure!
Nacel Summer Camps in France are incredibly popular! It seems indeed that summer camps organized by Nacel, a well-known language travel agency that has been existing for more than 50 years now, have a big success within young people! Bookings for these programs don’t stop to increase year after year… and many of the sports camps are already full!
What are the keys of this awesome success?
Sports camps in France are organized in Vichy since several years now! Their success comes mainly from word of mouth, since students who take part to the summer camps even advise their schoolmates to book a place in the same program! It seems that former participants are very enthusiastic about the fact that sports summer camps in Vichy combine French language courses and sports activities. Indeed, many different sports are available such as Tennis, Basketball, Soccer and even Rugby and Golf! Some of these camps are really popular and get full very quickly.
Here is Pablo’s testimonial, a 16 year-old Spanish boy who took part in the program: “I enjoyed the experience very much and it was great that everybody at the camp was so friendly and helpful to us. It was a very enjoyable way to learn French. Thank you.”
The students who take part in the summer camp in France mainly come from English-speaking or Spanish-speaking countries. This kind of French and sports summer camps enables them to improve their French skills while having fun through sport! They also enjoy sharing a lot with the French-speaking chaperones who supervise them during the sport activities. Many times chaperones are professional sportsmen or women.
Even if most of the camps are full, I advise you to book the last available places of the Sports and French summer camp in France if you want to make a lot of friends from everywhere and spend an unforgettable summer!
The official opening of the new American Nacel School “Notre-Dame International High School” was sealed by Dr Frank Tarsitano, PhD President of Nacel Open Door and Yves Le Saout, Principal of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. Danièle Thevenin, Deputy Head, Steve Murphy, Director of the American school and Gerard Avundo, Director of Nacel Programs also attended the meeting.
The asset of Notre-Dame International High School relies on the fact that it combines an American curriculum with the French environment of the sister school Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux, a French school that provides an excellent education for many years now. Students will then become proficient in both languages and interculturally skilled!
Furthermore, this American High School in Paris will welcome students from many different countries. Some of them are from Brazil, Ukraine, Philippines, USA… Students will soon come from all continents! And you, where are you coming from?!
The school is due to open early September 2010 as planned.
You’re interested in taking part in this great project but want to know more about it? So don’t wait any longer, you’re about to live the most unforgettable experience of your life! Come on and join Notre-Dame International High School’s multicultural student body thanks to a High School program!
You want to learn French in a language school? This French language school in Lyon offers a winning combination to those wishing to learn or to improve their French language skills in a great environment. What an amazing opportunity to go to Lyon, one of the most beautiful cities in France! Sure that you’ll never forget this unique experience and fully enjoy your stay in Lyon!
Lyon is a beautiful city with a rich cultural life. It is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris. As a UNESCO world heritage site, Lyon has over 2000 years of history imprinted on its streets and monuments… Discover the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière as well as the Saint-Jean Cathedral, enjoy the Croix Rousse area, get lost in the huge and wonderful Parc de la Tête d’Or and so many other worth seeing things are waiting for you…
Lyon is also considered as the gastronomic capital of France (there might be various capitals in France then…), so take the time to try some specialities in its warm welcoming restaurants called “bouchons”!
You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy cultural events and performances throughout the summer period, for example the Fourvière festival which has become one of the main international festivals! It usually takes place in the Roman amphitheatres of Fourvière and the programme includes theatre, dance, concerts and cinema… Thousands of people travel to Lyon every year for this unique event!
This French language school is located on the Rhone banks in a pleasant area of the city centre. There is a student residence near to the school with a swimming pool and a cafeteria for students use. Half-day activities are of course organized by the French school during the week: worth visiting monuments, museums, theatres, concerts, worth seeing roman or medieval cities around Lyon and even visit to Paris! So, what are you waiting for?
The French school also offers university programs which enables you to attend higher education in France!
In addition, Lyon is 2 hours away from Paris, 1 hour away from the Alpes Mountains, 3 hours from the sea! So come on, learn French in Lyon and enjoy your stay! Get information about this French language school in Lyon! See you there!
Does a program combining French lessons, homestay in a French speaking family and discovery of Paris through activities exist? Yes, it does. Discover the Summer Language Camp in France…
If you want to make new friends from all over the world and to improve your French level dramatically in less than one month while enjoying Paris, then this program is for you!
1) Language courses in your tutor’s home: you will attend some French lessons with 3 or 4 other teens from different nationalities in the morning. All the group has more or less the same level in French, so that tutor will adapt his teaching to you.
2) Activities: visits, excursions… discover the area of Paris and the French culture in the afternoon! It will give you the opportunity to use what you’ve been learning in the morning!
3) Homestay in a French host family: you spend the evening and the week ends in a welcoming French-speaking host family. This family can welcome more than a student, often from a different culture from yours, so enjoy!
Don’t want to attend French lessons but prefer sharing the daily-life of a host family and getting fully immersed? Read more about the French Homestay in France!
And what aboutfun andleisures? These are surely two keywords if you want to enjoy your academic year abroad.
At St Paul Preparation School the students’ self-development is fundamental, that’s why it offers a pleasant school life through a wide range of extra-curricular activities!
Talent shows as we’ve already seen, pumpkins making for Halloween, sports with a boys soccer team and a girls soccer team, basketball, clubs where students can enhance their global and specific skills, and so on!
Do you dream of attending an American curriculum in a French environment? Then have a look at this and make your dream come true!
The Notre-Dame International high schoolis a private American school located in Verneuil-sur-Seine, just 30 minutes away from Paris by train. This private American school is established at Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux, a school which is well-known for its excellent education(one of the best in France) for more than 80 years now.
Notre-Dame International high school is part of the Saint Paul Preparatory school’s network. It actually offers an American curriculum leading to the US High School Diploma in the French environment of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. For the most part, courses are taught by American teachers in English, but some other courses are also taught in French, making the students become very proficient in both languages!
The campus of Notre-Dame is definitely unique: the Château de Verneuil is located in the heart of a beautiful wide park with gardens and lots of trees… so that pupils can study in a real pleasant atmosphere!
Moreover, this school offers lots of extra-curricular activities for all the students! Many clubs such as Photo, Theatre, Flamenco or Jazz for example are available. Many schools trips are also organized in France and in Europe, in order to enable students to discover various cultures.
Notre-Dame International high school’s boarding quarters’ and host families’ options are also an asset, above all for international students living far away. Host families enable them to get fully immersed in the French culture.
This a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so just don’t let go this opportunity!
Students of the school are waiting for you to share this unique experience. >>Join this American School in Paris now!<<
Have you ever heard of “Malta”? Even if you have, you might not be able to locate it on a world map, am I right? =)
If you decide to 
1. Arabic is in the top 5 of the most commonly spoken native languages in the world. Arabic is spoken in more than 20 countries in the world, not only in the Middle-East, but also in North Africa. More than 450 millions people speak Arabic throughout the world. It exits various arabic dialects from one country to another: dialectical arabic is known as al-lougha derija, whereas literary Arabic, which is used in writing and in formal speech and understood by any Arabic country, is called al-lougha fusHa.
3. The Arabic-speaking world has a rich cultural heritage. If you go to Andalusia in Spain, you’ll surely imagine even one second you’re in an Arabic country. Indeed, Arab people let historical monuments of a great beauty there. Arab-speaking countries have a long past history in sciences and literature… Arts and musique are unique as well… Have you ever tried bellydance? And what about Arabic food and dishes? Sure you have already tasted them! Enjoy the beautiful colors and the pleasant smells of their wonderful spices!
Australia is also known for its wonderful landscapes and unique wildlife: kangaroos, koalas, ostriches and many other species. Its Christmas that some people usually spent on the beautiful beaches getting a suntan or surfing is also very typical!
3) Homestay in a French host family: you spend the evening and the week ends in a welcoming French-speaking host family. This family can welcome more than a student, often from a different culture from yours, so enjoy!
Notre-Dame International high school is part of the Saint Paul Preparatory school’s network. It actually offers an American curriculum leading to the US High School Diploma in the French environment of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. For the most part, courses are taught by American teachers in English, but some other courses are also taught in French, making the students become very proficient in both languages!
The campus of Notre-Dame is definitely unique: the Château de Verneuil is located in the heart of a beautiful wide park with gardens and lots of trees… so that pupils can study in a real pleasant atmosphere!
Notre-Dame International high school’s boarding quarters’ and host families’ options are also an asset, above all for international students living far away. Host families enable them to get fully immersed in the French culture.
