Page 13 - ELG2107 Jul Issue 476

SPECIAL FEATURE
Malta opens for summer but
Malta opens for summer but

other destinations lag behind
other destinations lag behind

Where can international language students study now? Melanie Butler finds out

A approval for allowing vaccinated EU citizens Southern hemisphere
viral video of a beach party in the
to enter the country this summer.
Maltese resort of Sliema is a sign
In the southern hemisphere, now in its winter
season, South Africa is open for business and
that summer is here, while the
Vaccine passports, however, are not
report on the Lovin Malta website
though travellers from some countries may
that ‘the group of youths form part of an English generally available to the under-16s, the some schools are advertising junior courses,
largest cohort in the European summer school
language school’ shows that the Mediterranean market, as vaccinations for under 18s has only face quarantine when they return home.
island nation, which opened its doors and its been recently approved and few youngsters Australia remains closed, although there is
language schools to foreign visitors in early June, are likely to have had both jabs before the July talk of some states running pilot programmes
can expect a bumper summer – especially as the peak for junior courses has passed. for international university students in
opening dates of the other main summer school Ireland, which is following the EU the near future. There is good news for
destinations remain uncertain. agreement, is also likely to accept vaccine international students who are working in the
On 4 June, the Maltese government passports when international travel resumes. country, as the government proposes, for the
announced a €10-a-day voucher scheme for Citizens from EU countries should also be first time since Covid struck, to include them
all visitors enrolling in a local language school allowed to enter with a negative Covid test if in the next financial support package.
for between 15 and 30 days. According to international travel restrictions are lifted as It is in New Zealand, however, that the
Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo, while the future looks most bleak, with industry figures
main aim of the scheme is to support the Quarantine rules warning that the entire English language
country’s Covid-hit English language industry, industry could collapse by the end of the year,
giving students €10 to spend in Malta for make it hard for according to the RNZ website. Although
every night of their visit would ensure the the university language centres are likely to
students would spend more money in local short-stay students survive, only 25 private language schools are
businesses during their stay. currently still open, according to the article.
Tourists from a wide range of countries, Education Ministry documents, seen by
including most of the EU, can enter the scheduled by mid-July, with most language RNZ, show the government has been aware
country if they can to produce a negative schools looking to re-open shortly after for a of the problem since April. A summary from
Covid test result before boarding their flight truncated summer season. a number of workshops held by officials
or, alternatively, from 1 July, a certificate The outlook for the UK market, by far identified a risk that “the entire English
showing the traveller is fully vaccinated. the largest of the main summer school language sub-sector will not exist by the end
Some Covid restrictions about safe distancing destinations, remains uncertain. Although the of the year.
remain, though as this article goes to press UK schools are currently open, the ongoing “Staffing has been reduced across the
they are gradually being lifted. All too late for quarantine rules make it hard for short- board, a number of English language schools
the students at the Sliema beach part who, stay students to come. Schools are hopeful, have closed and a number of other schools are
locals complained, were guilty of breaking the though, of some summer business in August, considering their options beyond June.”
rule that no more than six people should mix mirroring the experience of 2020 when there
outside and drinking should not be permitted was a surge in late summer. Information correct at time of going to press.
except at a table of four with food.

Vaccine passports
This vaccine-passport approach to language
travel has also been signalled by Canada,
although a date for the launch of the new PHOTO FROM SHUTTERSTOCK
system has yet to be set. Under the new
policy, students would still have to self-isolate
for up to five days in a residence or homestay
while awaiting the results of the Covid test
they are required to take on their arrival in
the country. The country’s language travel
industry, which includes language schools for
both English and French, has welcomed the
proposal, noting that it would remove the
need for students to spend time and money
in the country’s ‘Covid hotels’, which are
reported by schools and agents as a major
reason for students reluctance to enrol in
Canadian schools.
The USA is also expected to adopt the
vaccine passport approach to foreign travel,
with the Biden administration demonstrating
editorial@elgazette.com 13