Capetown – Language Teaching Centre | LTC

Learning a language as leverage of employability and competitiveness

LTC Team — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:20:23 +0000

“South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona address the tourism sector and South Africa at large . “I am delighted to be back, to carry on the work of showcasing our beautiful country both domestically and internationally. “, says Ntshona. He further highlights his enthusiasm on moving towards achieving the 21 million international tourists by 2030”. Sisa Ntshona also stated that “tourism creates 1 in 5 jobs” and that “SA can’t afford not to be competitive”

In addition to the immediate improvements needed mentioned by Ntshona, competitiveness will also rely on the language skills and our ability to welcome the international tourists in the best conditions. We can easily understand that polyglots will benefit from a higher employability.

The researchers for StatsSA has released in July 2019 the latest trend of incoming nationalities:

United States of America (USA): 35 699 (21.5%)
United Kingdom (UK): 21 834 (13.1%)
India: 13 238 (8.0%)
Germany: 11 827 (7.1%)
France: 11 142 (6.7%)
Australia: 8 825 (5.3%)
China: 7 259 (4.4%)
The Netherlands: 5 782 (3.5%)
Brazil: 5 149 (3.1%)
Canada: 4 771 (2.9%)

And the most popular African visitors

(Virtually all tourists from Africa – 97.9% – came from the SADC countries.)

3.Mozambique: 106 341 (18.5%)

7.Angola: 5 090 (0.9%)

English, German, French, Mandarin and Portuguese are undeniably the key languages to master.

Trend that confirms Mechtild Braxmaier owner of Language Teaching Centre, LTC Cape Town “ We face a booming demand for our German courses. Our customers usually either work in the tourism industry or prepare a certificate to immigrate to Germany. French and Mandarin courses are also more and more popular. Not to forget that in a context of a global economy, speaking a foreign language is now a minimum requirement more than a specific asset.”

Welcome to the Waterfont!

LTC Team — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 08:04:09 +0000

Historically the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront port is the center of a modern and dynamic square situated close to the business district and the Cape Town National Football Stadium created for the World Cup in 2010.

The harbour was initially created by the English at the end of the 19th century and it was at the end of the eighties that this port became the image of South African success.

This is a perfect place to stroll along the harbour and discover the artists and sculptors who sing and dance for the spectators.

It is indeed on this port that you will find the South African spirit through its artists who are committed to the future and who have revived the debate on pollution and plastic. It is also through collaboration with artists from all over the world such as the Belgian artist who sculpted this great penguin. He denounces the over- use of plastic bags that are released into the oceans and that kill off marine animals

You will also have the opportunity to discover the V&A Food Market in a charming place that will guide you to the aquarium.

Seeing that Cape Town is the “centre of the world” you can always be guided by signs to the biggest cities in the world.

That’s also the charm of Cape Town – living a different experience everyday thousands of miles away and yet feeling at home! Because it’s never boring here!

Retracing your steps, you will discover restaurants and bars that offer a breathtaking view of the port and its shops or the Big Wheel.

You will have the opportunity to go to the V&A Food Market and discover fantastic people and products that will make you love this atypical and warm place. It is the place to come and have a drink or eat produce that you won’t find elsewhere!

Don’t hesitate to visit the V&A Waterfront which invites you to stay and take a tour of its most luxurious boutiques and small shops, including its “Pick n Pay” (supermarket).

The summer of your life!

LTC Team — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:08:28 +0000

Cape Town is truly a summer paradise, with the most beautiful hikes, tourist attractions, beaches, wine estates, family-friendly adventures, festivals and sport activities.

A few of our favourites:

(Music) Festivals in Cape Town

Kirstenbosch summer concert series
Every year, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens host a series of summer concerts. Everyone is having a good time in the sun and enjoying the music of South African’s most well-known acts. You can even bring you own baskets with food, beers and wine. It is a must do if you are in Cape Town between November and January.
Up the creek
The Rock ‘n Roll festival in Cape Town. Relaxing on an inflatable pool lounger in the sunshine with a cold drink while a band is playing the best Rock ‘n roll music. The festival is held in January every year. There are several stages. There are only 3000 tickets, so you better get yours now for one of the best rock music festivals in town.

Mother City queer project party
For over two decades, the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) has been painting the town pink… and red,orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet! The theme of the party changes each year – in 2015 it was Candyland – and figuring out what you’re going to wear was half the fun. Well, maybe not half the fun; after all, this is a party that stretches out over eight music areas and offers up over a hundred international DJs, artists and performers. Roughly 9000 partygoers attend each year, so if you don’t get your hands on a ticket, FOMO is inevitable.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
The best party in Cape Town happens on the 2^nd of January, also called Tweede Nuwe Jaar.
In a tradition that goes back to the days of slavery. thousands of people go on to the streets of Cape Town’s CBD to celebrate culture and history unique to the Cape. The celebration is locally known as the Kaapse Klopse. If you’re want to watch, find a spot on Darling, Adderley, Wale or Rose streets.
Cape Town international jazz festival
The Cape Town Jazz Fest is one of the world’s biggest jazz festivals. Taking place in March each year, the festival brings some of the greatest local and international jazz acts to different places in the city. It is also the largest music event in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sport Activities:

Surfing in Muizenberg
Surfer’s Corner at Muizenberg is a popular training spot and is only about a 30-minutes’ drive from Cape Town’s city centre. The waves characteristic of this surf spot, are gentle, and ideal under a north-westerly wind direction. If surfing is new to you, pick up a few lessons
Hiking
Whether you’re after a coastal wander, a mountainous hike with spectacular views, or a hike in Cape’s beautiful nature reserves, here are some of the best hiking trails in and around the city.
-Lion’s Head
-Platteklip Gorge
-Kasteelport
-Krom river
-Skeleton Gorge
Quad riding
By far the most exciting thing on 4 wheels, Quad Biking, can be done in Cape Town on the sand dunes and it is a rush like no other. Whether you are riding through the fast stretches or navigating the technical sections, Quadding will knock your socks off!

Do you want to enjoy the summer in Cape Town and improve your English at the same time?
Contact us for more information:

Contact

Internship & Volunteering program: How does it work?

LTC Team — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 07:54:07 +0000

Nowadays, the internship program abroad is getting more and more popular among the student population. How does it work?
Our LTC Internship coach, Zsofia Ivony-CEO of Intern Cape Town, is answering all your questions!

1. What level of English is recommended/requested to apply for an internship?

The recommended minimum level of English would be Upper-Intermediate level, which is a B2 level according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This means that you are an independent user of the language and have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers even if you make some mistakes.

2. Can you tell us about the application procedure? What are the minimum requirements?

The first step is to send us your CV, so we can determine your key skill set. When your skills set is in demand, we contact you for a skype chat to establish your English level, your motivation and set your expectations. We might recommend some changes on your CV so that it better suits the local market. Then we send your application to multiple companies that are looking for your skill set and profile. When we get a positive response, we set up another interview with the company. After a successful interview, we assist with the visa procedure, the accommodation search and meet you in person when you arrive to Cape Town.

3. What is the average duration of an internship or a volunteering program?

Most companies need interns for at least a 3-month period, so it is beneficial for both parties. Volunteering can be shorter as you are “helping out” an organisation and they are happy with whatever time you can dedicate to them.

4. What are the internship/ volunteering fields available?

We specialise in the business field, where skills in marketing, sales, finance and law are needed. We work with smaller companies so the interns can gain experience in every department and can actively participate in the decision-making process.

5. What kind of tasks can I expect during my internship?

The main tasks will be the ones related to your studies and previous experience so that you can validate your internship at your school or deepen some knowledge that you already have. However, sometimes you will be required to learn new skills and execute tasks that are necessary for the running of the company. This could include some daily tasks that might seem unnecessary to you. You should always look at the tasks as potential learning possibilities and ask as many questions as you can to perfect the execution.

6. Would you have a success story to share with us?

I have many success stories… One would be when the intern was so successful in his internship that the company asked him if he could continue his work as an associate from his country. Another one would be when the company owner calls me in despair because the intern finished their internship and they need a new intern immediately… but just as great as he or she was…this happens often…which means that your work is meaningful and valuable for the company therefore you contributed to the South African eco-system.

7. Who needs more than that? According to you, what are the benefits of an internship abroad?

An internship abroad not only gives you the work experience you need to enter the highly competitive job market but also gives you the chance to stand out. Why? Because having lived in a different country shows the recruiters that you are determined ( no matter how complicated the visa procedure is) that you are adaptable and open-minded towards a new culture and last but not least, that you are an independent person who can make decisions, defend them and…do all that in ENGLISH. I truly believe that future leaders come from global citizens who make a real impact on our world, simply because they see the bigger picture.

Contact us for more information:
http://www.languageteachingcentre.com/contact/

Zsofia Ivony, CEO
Intern Cape Town

Apprendre l’espagnol

LTC Team — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:46:23 +0000

Hola !

L’espagnol est une langue répandue. Elle est la langue officielle de l’Argentine, de la Bolivie, du Chili, de la Colombie, du Costa Rica, de Cuba, de la République Dominicaine, de l’Équateur, de la Guinée équatoriale, de El Salvador, du Guatemala, du Honduras, du Mexique, du Nicaragua, du Panama, du Paraguay, du Pérou, de Puerto Rico, de l’Uruguay, du Venezuela, et bien évidemment de l’Espagne. Environ 410 millions de personnes sont des locuteurs natifs de la langue espagnole et environ 60 millions de personnes parlent l’espagnol comme deuxième langue.

L’Espagne

L’Espagne est un État souverain situé en Europe du Sud-ouest. Avec la France et le Maroc, il est l’un des trois seuls pays qui ont les deux côtes dans la Méditerranée et dans l’Atlantique. Avec une superficie d’environ 506.000 km2, l’Espagne est le quatrième pays le plus vaste en Europe, et le deuxième en Europe occidentale. L’Espagne a une population de 47 millions de personnes. Ils ont la sixième plus grande population en Europe.

En raison du relief en Espagne, il existe de grandes différences de climat entre les différentes zones, autant qu’a l’interieur des zones elles memes. Il existe également des différences entre les saisons et les températures diurnes et nocturnes. Une grande partie de l’Espagne a un climat plus continental que méditerranéen. L’ensemble de la côte Est a un climat méditerranéen avec des étés chauds et ensoleillés. Lorsque vous allez au sud il y a une légère augmentation des températures. La côte nord a un climat tempéré humide et en été, il est beaucoup plus frais. Les Baléares ont des hivers doux et des étés chauds et secs. Les îles Canaries ont un climat beaucoup plus constant avec des températures de 27 degrés en été et 22 degrés en hiver.

Pourquoi devriez vous apprendre l’espagnol :

– Apprendre l’espagnol est amusant !

– L’espagnol est facile à apprendre

– Parmi les langues, hormis l’anglais, l’espagnol se répand rapidement !

– Apprendre l’espagnol vous aidera dans votre carrière

– Apprendre l’espagnol va améliorer votre expérience de Voyage

– L’espagnol vous permettra de saisir des opportunités de faire des études a l’étranger

– Lorsque vous avez appris l’espagnol, vous pouvez apprendre une autre langue étrangère plus facilement.

Si vous suivez un cours d’espagnol, vous aurez également un bon départ dans l’apprentissage d’autres langues telles que le français et le portugais