| |
 |
Cactus provides financial protection under Total Payment Protection Policy. |
 |
Cactus are members of the world's leading International Youth Organisation. |
|
Our Brighton Office:
No. 4 Clarence House
30-31 North Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 1EB
Telephone:
0845 130 4775
Email Cactus
|
|
|
|
1.
How do I book?
2.
What is the profile of the students on Cactus courses?
3.
How soon do I have to enrol?
4.
Can I join a class in the second week?
5.
How do I know there is space on a course?
6.
Will my course run? (minimum requirements for a course
to take place)
7.
Can you issue a letter of invitation in order for me
to get / extend a
visa to study with Cactus?
1.
When do the next courses start?
2.
Why learn a language?
3.
How much will I learn during my course?
4.
How do you choose your teachers?
5.
Do teachers speak English during the lessons?
6.
Do I receive a qualification or certificate?
7.
How much homework is typically involved?
8.
When will I receive my coursebook?
9.
What should I do if my class is too easy /
difficult
for me?
10.Will
I get a copy of the CD / listening materials that are
used in
the class?
11.What
do I do if I am going to miss a lesson during the course?
12.What
do I do if I am going to miss the first lesson?
13.What if my teacher is ill during the
course?
1.
How do I know what level I am?
2.
Where can I study the language I want to learn?
1.
Language Courses UK Refund Policy
2.
Am I allowed a discount if I book two courses?
3.
Can I get an NUS discount?
4.
Can I pay a deposit and then pay the rest later?
1.
I am already doing an evening course with Cactus, can
I get a
discount for my next course?
2.
I like my teacher and classmates, can I continue with
them next
term?
1.
Can I talk to a real person about the course I am taking?
2.
How can I find out the exact address of the school?
|
| |
Booking & Availability
1. How do I book?
- Book Course: Follow this link to book
securely
online
- Payment: full payment is required at the
time of confirming your course. We do not take deposits
for language courses in the UK.
- Confirmation: we will send you a confirmation
email to confirm payment and later with the course
details by email.
- Pre-course Pack: prior to your course you
will be sent a pre-course information email, containing
all school and course information.
- Course: time to learn!
- Feedback: towards the end of your course
you will be sent a short online questionnaire which
we will hope you will take the trouble to fill out.
- Course Materials: you will receive
your coursebook during your first lesson at the school
2. What is the profile
of the students on Cactus courses?
Our evening courses are for adults of all ages (min
18 yrs) and nationalities and, where offered, for all
levels from beginners upwards. For most courses, the
average age range will be mid 20s to mid 40s. However
many younger and older students also take these courses.
3. How soon do I have to enrol?
The earlier the better to ensure that we have the correct
numbers. If we don’t receive enough bookings for
courses, we will cancel them and the course you wanted
may disappear off the site.
4. Can I join a class in the
second week?
Yes, if there is space in the classes we can take bookings
for students to join the class in the second week, although
there will be no discount to the price. You will need
to call us to check availability. After the second week
we do not allow any students to join the course as this
is too disruptive to the learning programme.
5. How do I know there is space on a
course?
A date will show next to the course or the course will
not show at all. All courses with dates have space on
the course.
6. Will my course run?
Cactus want to run all of the courses we advertise.
We are however, reliant upon course bookings. We need
a minimum of 4 students to run a course. In the event
that we do not have enough students to run your class
at your chosen centre, we may ask you to move to another
centre as close as possible to your chosen location,
to join a class that is definitely running. If you choose
not to take up this place you will be offered a full
course refund. We will email / telephone you to inform
you of this.
7. Can you issue a letter of
invitation in order for me to get / extend a Visa to
study with Cactus?
No, we cannot offer such letters as all our courses
are part time and are not eligible for this process.
If you have further questions regarding Booking &
Availability please email
us.
|
| |
Course Information
1. When do the next courses
start?
Please visit our dates
and times page.
2. Why learn a language?
People learn languages for a number of reasons: some
for work or business, some for education or to put on
their CVs, and some merely for the pleasure of being
able to communicate with different people and cultures.
Any trip abroad is greatly enhanced if you can say a
few words, let alone if you can actually have a conversation
with the locals!
3. How much will
I learn during my course?
The Cactus Academic team has created the Language
Learning Pathway to give you a clear idea of what
you will be able to do with your new language after
you have completed a course.
Other factors will also affect your rate of progress.
These will include the level you are when you start,
how proficient you are at languages in general, how
much you participate in the class (and do the homework!),
and also how difficult the language is.
4. How do you
choose your teachers?
All our teachers are native speakers or have native-speaker
fluency in the language they teach. They have specialist
qualifications and experience in Teaching a Foreign
Language to Adults.
5. Do teachers
speak English during the lessons?
Very rarely, because the most effective way to learn
or improve your language skills is through complete
immersion in the language. However, the occasional explanation
or vocabulary term may be explained in English, and
teachers are very used to teaching - and making themselves
understood by - students who may have little or no prior
knowledge of the language.
6. Do I receive a qualification
or certificate?
Yes, you will receive an end of course certificate
confirming the course you have taken and the level you
have achieved if you complete our online end of course
questionnaire. This will be sent to you by email.
7. How
much homework is typically involved?
Your teacher will give you approximately one hour's
worth of formal homework per week but we would recommend
you do ten minutes per day of self study in order to
assimilate and retain the information you are learning.
8. When will
I receive my coursebook?
Your teacher will give you your coursebook during your
second week at the school. We choose the book based
on the level of the class and the proficiency of the
students.
9. What should
I do if my class is too easy / difficult for me?
Please contact Cactus. We will see if your teacher
agrees with you and if we can offer you a place in a
higher or lower level class (subject to availability)
then we will. Otherwise our general refund policy will
apply.
10. Will I get
a copy of the CD / listening materials that are used
in the class?
No, our coursebook CDs are designed to be used in class
and with a teacher, they are not designed for self study.
However, if you would like to buy a copy of the listening
material that goes with your coursebook, you can either
order online or at the shop in London www.grantandcutler.com.
11.
What do I do if I am going to miss a lesson during the
course?
We recommend that you tell your teacher as soon as
you know that you are going to miss a class. Your teacher
can then email you with an outline of what was covered
in the class you missed, along with any homework set
and what part of the textbook was used. In the interests
of course continuity, please note you will not be able
to take an alternative lesson with another class at
another centre.
12.
What do I do if I am going to miss the first lesson?
Please do let us know so that we can pass a message
on to your teacher.
13.
What if my teacher is ill during the course?
If your teacher is ill during the term we will organise
a cover teacher to take your lesson. If no cover teacher
is available we will either reschedule the lesson to
take place on a different day or give you a refund for
the class (depending on the circumstances).
|
| |
Languages
1. How do I know
what level I am?
If you are not sure which class to choose, please complete
our online level test and follow the guidance notes.
You may also find it useful to check our Level
Guide >>
2. Where can
I study the language I want to learn?
Visit our location
page to see if the language you want to learn operates
in your area. |
| |
Payment & Refunds
1. Language Courses
UK Refund Policy
- More than 7 days before course start date: Cactus
can offer you a full refund of your course up to one
week before the advertised start date.
- Less than 7 days before course start date: You
can transfer your booking to the next course at no
extra charge OR you may have a refund of the course
fee minus a £50 administration fee.
- After the first lesson: You can transfer your booking
to the next course at no extra charge OR you may have
a refund of the course fee minus a £50 administration
fee.
- After the second lesson: You may have a refund of
the course fee minus £50 administration fee.
- After the third lesson: You will not be entitled
to any refund and you will NOT be able to transfer
your booking to the next course.
- Claiming a refund: You must contact Cactus at the
time of cancellation, following the stages indicated
above, in order to claim any refund. We cannot offer
any refunds at all once the third lesson has passed.
Those who do not attend the rest of their course after
the second lesson cannot claim for a refund at any
later stage if they have not advised us of their cancellation
at the time.
- In the case of weekend courses, or courses running
from the Covent Garden location, no refunds are available
once the course has started or where cancellations
are made on the start date.
Note: Cactus cannot offer any lessons on a
trial basis.
2. Am I allowed
a discount if I book two courses?
We do not offer a discount for bookings for two
people/courses but you will get a £10 loyalty discount* when you book another language course with Cactus. To claim your discount simply book online using the same email address as before.
*Applies to evening & part-time group courses in the UK only, excludes weekend courses. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer.
3. Can I get
an NUS discount?
No we do not offer any NUS discount.
4. Can
I pay a deposit and then pay the rest later?
No, you must pay the entire amount by card at time
of booking. Please note that we cannot accept payments
in cash. |
| |
Repeat students
1.
I am already doing an evening course with Cactus, can
I get a discount for my next course?
As an existing Cactus students you get a £10 loyalty discount* when you book another language course with us. To claim your discount simply book online using the same email address as before.
*Applies to evening & part-time group courses in the UK only, excludes weekend courses. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer.
2.
I like my teacher and classmates, can I continue with
them next term?
Please do tell your teacher if you would like to continue
with them in the next term and we’ll do our best
to assign them to your next level. We can’t guarantee
that your teacher will be available though, as it does
depend on their availability |
| |
Cactus
School Info & Procedures
1.
Can I talk to a real person about the course I am taking?
We do try and include all relevant information on the
website. However, if you cannot find the information
you are looking for please call 0845 130 4775 (option
4) or email info@languagecoursesuk.co.uk
for a response within 24 hours.
2. How can
I find out the exact address of the school?
When you book your course online you will receive all
of the course details by email, including the school
address and a link to an online map. |
| |
Meet the team
| ::
Chris Moore - Head of Cactus Language Training |
 Chris
graduated from Cambridge in Social and Political
Sciences, before spending 16 years teaching and
teacher training in Spain, Nepal, Pakistan, and
the UK. He has both CELTA and DELTA teaching qualifications.
He was Director of Studies in English schools
from 1994 to 2006, and was Head of a small school
in Brighton for 5 years. He has designed, written
and implemented a wide variety of language courses,
including general, business, exam and academic
language, in addition to teacher-training programmes
& seminars.
Since joining Cactus in November 2006, Chris
has implemented and led a range of teacher development
programmes, written both general and industry-specific
syllabi, and worked with teachers, the Cactus
team, and a wide range of organisations and
individuals to make sure the courses delivered
by Cactus are of a consistently high quality.
|
| ::
Fatima Rego - Operations Manager |
Originally from the north-west of Spain, I grew
up surrounded by nature, friends and sea. Graduating
from the Universidad of Oviedo in English Language,
Literature and Culture, I spent a year as an Erasmus
student in Amsterdam and moved to the Universidad
de Salamanca when I came back to enroll on a C.P.A.
course (Course of Pedagogic Aptitude). I’m
an Expert on International Cooperation and Development
and I’m currently studying to take the European
Union civil-service exam for the European Commission:
Foreign Relationships for Third World countries.
I hope my time at Cactus gives me the opportunity
to get the experience needed to pass my exam next
year!!
|
| ::
Diana Izu - Product Manager |
Diana graduated from Carlos III University in Humanities and Communication. She also has a Certificate in teaching Spanish as a second language, from Cervantes Institute in Alcala de Henares (Madrid), and a Certificate for teaching Spanish language from Complutense University (Madrid). She has several years of experience teaching Spanish in Spain and in the UK. Diana came to England to study English for one year, but never left! She has a passion for travelling and has been around the five continents. Diana also loves reading, cooking and her two cats.
|
| ::
Nadine Burzler - Language Course Consultant |
Nadine spent 4 years in Leon, Mexico teaching general, business, exam and academic English at all levels and to a wide range of students from ages 2-82 years old. She loves languages, linguistics, psychology, learning sciences, travelling and writing. Nadine speaks English, Spanish and Afrikaans and is currently studying Brazilian Portuguese. She loves everything Latin especially the men and food!
|
| ::
Peyman Shameli - Language Course Consultant |
Peyman was born in Iran and moved to Holland at the age of 11. He studied Journalism in Utrecht and has travelled to Lebanon, Syria and Palestine/Israel. Peyman has recently finished a degree in International Relations at Sussex University. His big passions in life are languages, acting, photography, travelling and playing tennis. Peyman speak Farsi, English and Dutch fluently and is currently working on Lithuanian. He hopes to learn 0.00088% of the 6809 languages spoken in the world by the time he is 50!
|
| ::
Clothilde Coudenhove - Language Course Advisor |
Clothilde is from France, she is between her Undergraduate and Graduate year at the ESC Montpellier which is part of the Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier. Clothilde started at this school after a 2 year degree in Control Management at the University of Paris 5. She loves discovering new places and came back from an ERASMUS in Finland in May, there she discovered the Finnish culture which is sometimes surprising. Clothilde has also met people from all over the world (South Korea, United States, Spain, Poland...) she wants to go and visit them as soon as she can. Clothilde decided to come to Brighton to discover England and to get a new international experience whilst living here.
|
| ::
Jenny Johnson - Academic Director |
Jenny spent many years in Spain as head of a TEFL teacher training department and has extensive experience of the TEFL world, including some years as a volunteer on various committees for the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. Her qualifications include a B.Ed in secondary education, a certificate in online training and the International Diploma in Language Teaching Management. She has travelled in the US, Asia, Mexico and Europe. Jenny speaks fluent Spanish and has visited most parts of Spain. She wrote Teaching English in Spain, a guide book for TEFL teachers. Jenny loves working, spending time with her daughter, cinema, well-written novels and good restaurants.
|
| ::
Rod Mitchell - Academic Director of Studies |
Rod hails from Queensland, Australia, and has a BA (French, Indonesian; James Cook University), a PostGrad DipEd (ESL/EFL/French; University of Queensland), and a Masters in Linguistics (JCU). His interest in languages and culture – as well as his British-Irish background – first led him to Europe, he has spent the last 25 years in Britain, France, Italy and Australia. Anna, his wife, is from Sardinia, and their son, Kevin, is doing Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florence. Rod has close on 30 years of TEFL, Cambridge Speaking examining, linguistic research at UQ, JCU and Oxford, Torres Strait music research, computer networking, CALL and database development/management … and was a postman for four years...
|
Contact
Email info@languagecoursesuk.co.uk
Telephone
UK (local rate): 0845 130 4775
International: +44 (0) 1273 725 200
Fax - +44 (0) 1273 775686
Pop into our friendly Brighton offices
for a chat
4 Clarence House
30-31 North Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 1EB
|
|
|
If you are a UK language school and interested in hosting our part time evening foreign language courses, please get in touch with us. We are actively seeking joint venture partnerships or rental-only agreements with schools throughout the UK including the following UK locations: South East London, the City of London, Birmingham, Bath, Leeds, Sheffield, Reading, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Nottingham and Glasgow. Please get in touch with Chris Moore, chris.moore@cactusworldwide.com
|
|
|
|
