All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
20 March 2015 09:41
Foreign languages have an image problem
Learning a second language can help you at work and at play and is even good for your brain, so why are pupils and schools shunning the option?
Being proficient in a language can improve employment and career opportunities in later life. Of course people who speak a second language can also get more out of a holiday.
Low take up of languages
But a report by the CfBT Education Trust and the British Council found take-up of subjects such as French, German and Spanish remains low at GCSE and A-level.
The Language Trends Survey suggests fewer young people are taking up subjects such as French or German because of the stereotypical view that languages are not as important as subjects such as maths and English.
One of the problems, the report finds, is a growing trend in state secondaries and to a lesser extent in independent schools, to exclude or excuse pupils from the study of a language in order to give them further tuition in literacy and numeracy.
Primary schools starting young on language skills
However, despite take-up problems at GCSE and A-Level, the picture was brighter among younger children.
Compulsory foreign language lessons in primary schools are having an immediate impact. Some 99% of primary schools surveyed are now teaching languages while more than a third (38%) have increased resources for language teaching.
Learning a language for a holiday
Learning a new language may not be as essential to your holiday as taking out travel insurance, but it can still make it better in lots of ways.
It makes ordering food, finding your way around, speaking with locals and many other things easier. A study from the University of Edinburgh even found learning a second language slows brain ageing.
19 November 2020
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
[more...]
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.
Is it possible to fly green? Discover five ways to fly more eco-friendly and reduce the impact of your air travel.
From sustainable architecture to reduced energy consumption, here's how airports around the world are helping to reduce their carbon footprints.
Hankering for a German grill? Here's everything you need to know about the traditional bratwurst sausage...
Make your next adventure guilt-free, by travelling with a sustainable conscience.
Discover a new type of adventure with these sustainable holiday activities.
15 October 2020
It's time to learn more about one of Europe's finest exports.
Ready for a spooky tale? Discover the fascinating history of Halloween.
Get into the Halloween spirit with these spooky traditions from around the world.
Looking for a stress-free vacation without putting your loved ones at increased risk?
Discover more about Portugal's favourite wine.