A New Way of Considering Pets
Campaigners just brought a law change to Scotland, saying that households have the right to pets.
This law was opposed by private landlords who fear the additional expense pets’ damage may cause to their property.
As it was, the law saw families forced to move under changing economic circumstances – including a bereavement – being separated from their animals.
The law forced people with mental health problems that prevent them from working to live in solitude. It made single-parent families living in rented properties unable to have a pet.
The SSPCA reports that it has seen a 17% rise in people being forced to separate from their animals due to economic reasons.
What has this got to do with a language school, you may ask?
Well, unusually, (especially for the UK) we are a language school with cats.
We also care about our community (and have a Social Action Policy).
This new law change is one more detail in the tapestry of sharing how Scotland is more socially progressive than England.
People who haven’t visited the UK might think it’s all the same, but with different accents.
This is really not the case.
If you are searching for a language school holiday in the UK, choose the community you want to be within.
Travel doesn’t unlock your English; experiencing culture and community in memorable ways does.
About our Language School Cats
We welcomed the Cat Army nearly 2 years ago.
Some of the reasons were personal. I’ve always loved animals; my cats made a rocky time as an adolescent easier, and I wanted my daughter to have this comfort and support, too.
But it was also about making the space feel good for language learners. Speaking a foreign language causes many people to feel anxious. This feeling has a name: Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA). It’s real.
At best FLA is an energy drain. At worst, it causes imposter syndrome so much that people can’t speak.
The effect of animals on animal lovers is well proven. They are calming, relaxing.
Having cats with us in language class can significantly lighten the mood, lift learners from deep anxiety, and bring friendliness, love, and distraction.
Creating Your Language Holiday
The inspiration came from a pre-cat-owning moment. I was searching for something to do on a wintery day in Edinburgh, and a cat café popped up as an option.
Cake, coffee and cats to cuddle?
Exactly what I was in need of.
Only it wasn’t. It seemed gimmicky. It seemed a bit exploitative of the cats.
I don’t want to force myself on a contained or subdued cat; I wanted a connection.
Instead of staying at the cat café, we headed off to investigate local animal shelters.
We found out first-hand the volume of animals needing to be rescued. Unsurprisingly, we signed up to adopt that day.
A Language Experience for Everyone?
People cautioned me: it’s a bad idea, it will put people off coming for a holiday. You are reducing the potential pool of your clients.
I ran a LinkedIn Poll asking what my network thought, with mixed results.
I considered the opposing advice, and although I saw some truth in it, I looked at the bigger picture.
What path am I on?
Am I trying to please as many people as possible, or something different?
You Have the Right to Feel Good Learning English
I began my business to offer an alternative to bland or corporate classrooms, the processing of individuals through pre-written courses, the impossibility of asking people to connect with language when it’s delivered like this.
I’m not chasing vanilla like most other language ‘holiday’ options.
I’m chasing transformational comfort and joy. I prioritise individual English language speakers’ passions, interests, and physical and mental needs.
Only healthy English (not forced, stressful classroom English) keeps you talking. Combine meaningful travel experiences with targeted immersive coaching for powerful English that builds connections that truly matter.
English Holidays with a Difference
My language holidays are full of the ingredients needed for health and well-being, incuding arts and crafts, feeling comfortable, relaxation techniques, great food and drink, friendship – ALL of which are proven anxiety busters – so that in a week, people are not just learning a bit of English (they are), they are discovering a deep sense of peace with being inside the language, a sense of belonging that replaces imposter syndrome in lasting ways.
The Results
So far, every kid on our English family language holiday has fallen in love with my cats. Some of the adults, too. They have sat on laps during coaching sessions and workshops and cuddled up during downtime – an evening where someone might be chilling with a book or a film.
Some people are ambivalent, but most people have said that having the cats was a true bonus.
A Different Way to Consider Normal
Yes, I’m sad that a severe allergy might exclude people from getting all the other aspects of the experience I offer. I am Coeliac, I understand that having an allergy doesn’t define you as a person.
I also know that the rest of the world doesn’t eat gluten-free pasta (the compromise) because it is significantly less enjoyable if you don’t have a gluten allergy.
Building a dream, fall-in-love-with-English space (the hub), a container (the methods, the guest experts, the friendly homestay hosts), and all the enchanting experiences (activities, workshops, music events) matter most.
A good compromise leaves no one happy.
My competitors’ language holiday options have proven that far too long.
It’s time to build language holidays for people (not HR departments).
You have the right to feel comfortable while language learning.
Standing Up for Your Rights
It’s fitting to publish this with news of animal and wildlife activist Jane Goodall’s death.
Jane was an activist, visionary and animal lover.
I’ll end with a quote:
“It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.”
Further Information
Testimonials
British Council
The British Council listed our speciality Real-World English in its Top 2024 Language Teaching Innovations.
Friendly community
Perthshire was voted the Friendliest Region on Earth by Booking*com.
What more perfect combination could you need for an English conversation holiday?
5 Star Reviews
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