Page 25 - ELG2304 Apr Issue 484

FEATURES & COMMENT

English in the
English in the Mediterranean –

Mediterranean
–
the secrets of Malta’s success?
ets of Malta’
s success?
the secr

COPYRIGHT PEXELS.COM

Mellieˉha, Malta
t has been a truism for some years that who have never learned to speak another The second most unusual thing about Malta
Ireland has the most English Language language. is the sheer range of accommodation options
schools per capita of any English language In fact, there is some evidence that available. Not only is it the only destination
Idestination. Outside the summer that is countries and regions with traditions of where host families can be accredited. It is also
almost certainly true (see article below) In language learning are increasingly popular the one with the largest selection of residences:
peak season, though, the award might go to with language learners. Canada and choose from the hotel accommodation at
Malta where a population of just over half a Wales have bilingual education systems. Gateway, the student residence at CIELS or the
million welcomed over 87,000 student, the In Ireland everyone has to learn Irish all the on-Campus accommodation at Club Class.
year before Covid. way through school, and though some of Perhaps the most exciting though - at least
To put that into context – it means the them struggle I’ve never met an Irish EFL if you are under sixteen – are the ESE junior
annual number of language students equals teacher who doesn’t think the experience camps which take place in the Salini resort
around 4 per cent of the population overall. influences the way they teach in class. “Apart hotel. Anxious parents can rest assured that
How do they cope? This is a country which from anything else,” one confided,” I know they are cared for round the clock by ESE’s
welcomes over 2 million visitors a year, every what worked for me and what did not!” very own squad of group leaders.
year. It is built to welcome foreign guests. With European school children now For older students, the University of Malta’s
International students are just a tiny, but heading to Holland to learn English, it’s very own language schools uses university
much welcomed, fraction of them. easy to see the message: why learn a second residences. At BELS exclusive boutique
So, what attracts language learners to Malta? language from someone who only speaks schools on the tiny island of Gozo only
Apart from, of course, the Mediterranean on?. A message which is reinforced on many over-18s need apply.
climate, the gorgeous beaches, the array of online teacher websites where the teachers Finally, of course, Maltese schools are
water sports and the delicious food! with the highest student ratings are often the famous for their activities, especially their
Well, one reason could be that, as well as ones with the most languages. water sports. At EC Classic Island kids
being one of the few Mediterranean countries Of course, it is important that teachers camp, students get English in the morning
which speak English, they are probably the have a high level of English – but Malta and sailing in the afternoon. Inlingua Malta
only truly multilingual English Language is the only ELT destination we know of also have Kayak, Windsurfing and Paddle
destination in the world. Malta advertises its where would-be teachers are required to Boarding. Gateway adds in Body Boarding
teachers as native speakers of English – but sit an English language exam, before they and Rowing. The choice seems endless.
they are more than that. An astonishing 88 can be licensed to teach English. They even Small wonder then, that Malta is such a
per cent of Maltese are bilingual, 66 per cent have their own, heavily subsidised, teacher popular summer destination but with many
of them also speak Italian and more than 17 training courses. schools now offering language and activity
per cent speak French. Russian, Spanish and Maltese language schools are beginning to holidays for kids at Easter and Christmas too,
German are also studied at school. market their multilingual advantage. ESE, for there is certainly room for the sector to grow
Why is that important? Because people example, boasts on its website that they are – even in a tiny island nation where everyone
who have learned several languages “a truly multilingual’ organization with staff knows everyone else and many of them can
themselves are likely to be better at teaching from 18 countries who speak 20 languages speak your language in addition, of course,
them than monolingual native speakers between them. to English.
editorial@elgazette.com 25