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.
09 September 2020
Get a slice of the action in Napoli, the pizza capital of the world.
[more...]
Get way ahead with your getaway plans with our top five handy tips for planning a holiday in 2021...
02 September 2020
Many international borders may have reopened, but is air travel safe during the coronavirus pandemic? The answer may surprise you.
26 August 2020
Learn more about the government's advice on travel corridors and see the list of countries where you can travel back from without self-isolating.
Plan your next getaway while reducing the risk of catching and transmitting coronavirus, by following our simple advice.
09 March 2020
Move over hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, there's a whole world of Easter treats out there. Here are some alternative Easter foods from around the world.
Forget egg hunts and bunnies, Easter's done a little bit differently in these corners of the world. Here five alternative Easter celebrations.
28 February 2020
Keep your carbon footprint in check and travel green with our eco-friendly travel tips.
25 February 2020
For true carefree travel, decide on a destination that's kinder to the planet...
20 February 2020
Travel into the future and not just through time-zones, with destinations shaping urban living.
National Anthem Day falls on the 3rd March, so what better excuse is there to delve into into the world of music and motherland?