The advantages of the small destination on the way up
With almost 1.5 million students trained in English, the Maltese archipelago has become one of the leading destinations for language schools and a must for young people looking to perfect their English in a sunny, seaside and festive setting. A trend that has gained strength over the course of the 2010s, as evidenced by the increase in the number of students welcomed each year: over 87,000 in 2018, according to official statistics. The covid crisis has slowed the trend somewhat, but by 2022, the number of students will have risen to almost 57,000, almost double the figure for 2021. Originating from some sixty countries, a quarter of them come from Italy, followed by Germany and France (over 10% of the total). The first reason for this growing craze is quite simple. The small island was part of the British Empire for over 160 years, and English is still the official language, along with Maltese of course, which means that Malta can pride itself on being able to offer total Anglophone immersion: a bilingual population, a daily life full of reminders of the British world (cars driving on the left, red and round mailboxes and telephone booths just like over there) and a cultural environment in which Shakespeare's language plays a major role, as in newspapers, magazines and cultural programming. Not to mention the place names and architectural heritage. The second reason is more financial. If you compare prices in London and Malta, you'll find that the island's course fees are much lower. Added to this first advantage is the lower cost of living in Malta. Although the latter has risen in recent years, the difference is still significant. Last but not least, the job market, with unemployment rates particularly low for the European Union, provides a more favorable environment for taking on a small job in addition to your studies, and even the opportunity to find your first job here. Thirdly, and by no means least, Malta can, and does, boast the quality of its living environment. In the knowledge that it will always be very attractive to combine business with pleasure by immersing oneself in an Anglo-Saxon universe that includes the Mediterranean, its shimmering colors and its promise of bathing, sunshine approaching 300 days a year and a very festive atmosphere, even if no one can deny that London also has assets in this area.
The custom-made methodology
All of the island's fifty or so schools offer specialized or general English courses, the latter being the most popular module, chosen by almost 70% of students. The courses are designed for teenagers, students, professionals and even senior citizens, to meet their specific needs and constraints: a quick refresher course during the vacations, a longer-term in-depth course or a one-to-one course in a hotel. In terms of facilities, you'll find an impressive range, from small family-run schools to large international groups. Generally speaking, courses are often organized in groups of 5, 10 or 15 people and, rest assured, you won't spend the whole day working on grammar. The actual learning of the language takes place in half-day sessions, from Monday to Friday, and the subjects studied follow current events or themes likely to be of interest to the greatest number of people. The rest of the time can be used for sightseeing or part-time work. In addition, schools generally offer complementary activities in the form of educational or leisure outings, either in the afternoons or at weekends, which provide an opportunity to discover the Baroque style in Valletta, the fortified capital of Mdina, prehistoric sites listed as world heritage sites, or to visit the Blue Grotto and the island of Comino. Many schools also organize company visits to perfect immersion in the professional language. When it comes to accommodation, you can choose between staying with a Maltese family, renting an apartment or opting for a hotel, from guesthouse to 5-star. Schools can arrange your accommodation, and some even have their own halls of residence in Malta's main resorts.
The chain of custody
Certification of schools, qualification of teachers and regulation of accommodation: the whole language study holiday sector is strictly regulated. The process began in the 1960s, was first regulated in 1996, and is now governed by the ELT law published in 2015, with the aim of guaranteeing internationally-recognized quality teaching and preparation for exams such as Cambridge English, TOELF, TOEIC and IELTS. These regulations are based on three major bodies. The first is the ELT Council. Reporting to the Ministry of Education, its supervisory board is responsible for overseeing the professional standards of language schools in Malta and Gozo. As such, it monitors and coordinates teacher accreditation processes and professional standards. It is also responsible for carrying out an annual audit on this subject. The second entity is the Ministry of Tourism, which oversees the hospitality and activities offered during your stay. In particular, it certifies and monitors host families, whose level of English is tested on a regular basis, and grants them a certificate allowing them to operate. Each family can only host a maximum of 4 students at any one time. The last major player in this control system is Feltom (Federation of English Language Learning Organizations). Created in 1989, it now groups together some twenty language schools certified by the Feltom accreditation. To date, it's the only national organization of its kind, and it's also a seal of quality.
Elements to be taken into account when making a choice
You can access the list of schools on offer at visitmalta.com, under "language schools". Each government-certified school guarantees quality teaching and adapted formulas. Be sure to check before enrolling.
Schools such as NSTS Malta in Gzira, EC English in St Julian's, Inlingua in Sliema and Bels in Gozo are among the most highly rated, and you'll find numerous rankings on the web. However, before making your choice, be sure to check the following information. First of all, location. Many schools are located in St Julian's or Sliema, but you'll find them all over the island and even in Gozo. Make sure that the location you choose suits your lifestyle and that you can easily find accommodation. Don't hesitate to ask about the profile of the students attending the school: average age, presence or absence of other French speakers... You'll also need to take stock of the options on offer to find the one that suits you best: general course, intensive, professional, exam preparation, etc. And don't forget to ask about the little "extras" offered by some of them, such as facilities, outdoor activities and, of course, accommodation. The final element that will guide your choice will also be the cost of a stay. The price range varies enormously and will of course depend on the specific offer and the time spent. To give you a general idea, in low season a week's general English course costs from €150 to €250, and a short stay from €90 to €200 (€180 to €300 and €150 to €250 for intensive English). In summer, prices rise by around €50 per week. Private lessons range from €30 to €50 for 45 minutes. Accommodation offered by schools ranges from €130 to €300 per week, but you'll more often be offered packagesthat include courses and accommodation. Your ultimate choice will also depend on how much time you want to devote to learning, bearing in mind that longer stays will be proportionately less expensive. The price will also be lower if you go in low season and share a room. And don't hesitate to look out for special offers and promotions.
You can also enlist the help of a partner to help you in your search. Numerous organizations offer language travel in Malta. These include SICL(http://www.silc.fr), EF(https://www.ef.fr), Envol Espace(https://www.envol-espace.fr), Verdié Open Class(https://www.verdieopenclass.com) and Nacel(https://www.nacel.fr). All are affiliated to institutional bodies such as Unosel(https://www.unosel.org/) and the Office association(https://www.loffice.org) and will be able to advise you on the most suitable formulas for your search.
Addresses :
ELT COUNCIL
Room 318 Ministry of Education and Employment, Great Siege Road, Floriana FRN 1810
+356 2598 1241
FELTOM
17, Flat 1 Triq Sir Augustus Bartolo Ta' Xbiex XBX, 1092, Malta
+356 2131 0927
