Striving to the top: buildings, structures, and languages
As far back as records go, humans have strived to go faster, further, and higher than before. Our buildings and structures are no exception to this. As cultures throughout history have fought for the top spot, the title of World’s Tallest Building has changed hands many times.
Read on to see which structures have held this record, where they are located, and what their connection to the languages of the world is.

As the Pearl of the French Alps, Annecy is arguably one of the most diverse destinations in all of France – and maybe even in Europe. Nestled between majestic mountains and the gentle shores of Lac d’Annecy, this charming place is the perfect base for mountain lovers and water sports enthusiasts. With its stunning Old Town full of historic sights, quaint cafés, and lovely townhouses, history buffs and romantics are sure to get their fix as well. If none of these pique your interest, the huge number of exciting annual events the city hosts surely will. It’s impossible to be bored here!
Traditional and funky, historic and modern, quaint and vibrant – the city of Regensburg combines lots of seemingly contradictory characteristics. One of the loveliest historic towns in Bavaria and also a vibrant student city, Regensburg offers something for everyone. It’s certainly an amazing location for an immersive German course! Work on your language skills in the morning, visit impressive historical sights in the afternoon, and finish your day with a glass of beer in a trendy local bar.
Ancient temples dating back to the dawn of Western civilisation, dramatic volcanic landscapes, dreamy medieval villages, sunny beaches with crystal clear water, warm-hearted and welcoming people – Sicily is Italy at its best, and it brings together everything we love about this beautiful country.
Nestled between high mountains like a pearl held in an oyster shell, Kitzbühel is a true gem. It’s a typical representative of Austria’s alpine communities. The alleys and streets of its medieval old town are lined with colourful houses characteristic of traditional Austrian architecture. Painted wooden window shutters and purple and white petunias adorning the façades make these buildings a lovely sight to behold.
French is such a diverse language and its speakers can prove to be extremely creative. Did you know, for instance, that different French speakers use different words to count, that some of them grow up using French words that have a different meaning to that in Standard French, or that they use different idioms depending on where they come from? Well, if you’re interested to know more about the French spoken outside of France, I gladly invite you to read further.
The world’s top ten places for book lovers 📚
Shanghai is the vibrant centre of China’s soaring economy, a bustling international metropolis and an amazing place to experience the best of modern China. Expats have named Shanghai the most attractive city for foreigners in Mainland China, surpassing popular cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. This doesn’t come as a surprise – Shanghai is a city of superlatives that will enthral everyone travelling there.
Known worldwide for its picturesque harbour and iconic Opera House, Sydney is a dream destination for many travellers. Arguably the best thing about the city, though, is its close connection to nature despite being a buzzing metropolis, full of life and many places to discover.
This coastal city is often overlooked, but Bournemouth has a lot to offer – not least its weather. It experiences more daily hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK, as well as fewer rainy days. Besides this, Bournemouth offers extensive coastline and an interesting centre packed with diverse attractions for you to enjoy during your immersive English experience.



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