Page 22 - ELG2505 May Issue 494

INTERVIEW

wellbeing. For instance, we’ve run free CPD
sessions on “Gamifying Wellbeing” and,
in collaboration with FELTOM, a seminar
on “Safeguarding Minors in ELT Schools”.
Such initiatives equip teachers with the
skills to engage children and teenagers
effectively and to look after them properly.
We also continue to enforce our established
qualification standards: under Council
regulations, teachers in ELT schools must
hold recognised ELT qualifications and be in
possession of a teaching permit issued by us.
To promote advanced training, the Council
even offers scholarships for a University
of Malta M.A. in Applied Linguistics &
TESOL. I believe the youth-oriented
demographics highlighted by the NSO have
sharpened our focus on relevant teacher
education. By upgrading qualifications and
tailoring professional development to the outreach. The Council therefore encourages emphasis on sustainability in ELT (the
needs of younger learners, we reinforce the ELT schools to cultivate new markets: this conference theme this year is “ELT for a
industry’s overall quality and reputation. might be through joint marketing campaigns Sustainable World”). Notably, international
abroad or participating in international experts will feature prominently. For
BK: How does the Council use NSO data conferences and expos (we attended instance, our 14th Conference will include
(student demographics, course types, ICEF Berlin and similar events). We also dedicated strands by IATEFL’s Business
student weeks) to inform and refine its strengthen Malta’s international presence English and Global Issues Special Interest
quality assurance systems and audits of by hosting globally recognised events (like Groups. In effect, participants get the best
ELT schools? the upcoming Mediterranean Symposium of both worlds: one event for high-level
SF: Every year the ELT Council collects in ELT and the ELT Malta Conference). exchange and networking, and another for
detailed data from all licensed schools (in In this way, we balance sustaining our in-depth pedagogy and content sessions.
cooperation with the NSO). We analyse this European base with an ever-wider global Presenters benefit too: attendance is free
information closely. For example, knowing footprint – reinforcing Malta’s role as a for all Symposium speakers, and those who
that nearly 77% of students opt for General truly international hub for quality English present at the Symposium are encouraged
English (Standard) courses tells us where language learning. to stay on for the Conference as attendees
to focus our academic visits, ensuring or presenters. Taken together, these back-
those core programmes meet curricular BK: How does the 4th Mediterranean to-back events offer ELT professionals
standards. Similarly, the breakdown by age Symposium in ELT align with the unparalleled opportunities for learning,
and nationality helps us identify emerging Council’s objectives, and what is its collaboration and exposure. Teachers and
patterns: a surge in junior learners might intended impact on the profession in administrators can attend workshops, share
trigger more frequent checks on student Malta and the Mediterranean region? research, explore policy discussions, and
welfare policies, whereas growth in new SF: The Mediterranean Symposium in build international contacts – all within
source markets might prompt cultural or ELT is exactly the kind of initiative that a compact, conference-rich week. This
language support measures. The data on embodies our mission. By bringing together complements our collaborative ethos, as
student weeks and seasonality – e.g., the representatives from a wide range of each event reinforces the other: regional
fact that July is our busiest month (17% of regional teacher associations, it fosters the dialogue at the Symposium feeds fresh ideas
weeks) – allow us to plan monitoring visits in profession and industry in all its aspects – into the Conference, and vice versa. Overall,
advance. This data-driven approach means which is our stated mission. Holding the the dual format amplifies professional
our approach is not generic but finely tuned 4th Mediterranean Symposium in Valletta development and underscores Malta’s role
to the sector’s realities. (back-to-back with the 14th ELT Malta as a dynamic ELT centre.
conference) allows the country to showcase
BK: With most ELT students coming from leadership in ELT education. In practical BK: Considering the NSO data and the
EU countries (Italy, France, Germany), terms, the symposium aligns with our upcoming Symposium, what are the ELT
what strategies does the Council use to objectives by facilitating high-level dialogue, Council’s main priorities over the coming
maintain its strong European base while promoting best practices, and strengthening years to ensure continued growth and
also reaching new global markets? networks. excellence in ELT in Malta?
SF: It is true that EU markets remain our SF: Building on the insights from the NSO
backbone. Indeed, 73.9% of students in 2024 BK: How do the Mediterranean data and events like the Symposium, our
were EU citizens. We therefore continue to Symposium and the 14th ELT Malta priorities are comprehensive. Foremost, we
nurture strong ties within Europe, ensuring Conference complement each other, are committed to overhauling our quality
Malta stays top-of-mind as a safe, high- and what opportunities do they offer to assurance framework by 2026, making
quality study destination. We also work professionals in the sector? it even more rigorous and responsive to
hand-in-hand with the Malta Tourism SF: Holding the Symposium and the ELT sectoral needs. In summary, our pillars
Authority and FELTOM, in line with our Malta Conference back-to-back creates are clear: maintain and raise quality as we
statutory aim to link ELT with tourism for a powerful synergy. The Mediterranean grow; reform our frameworks (like QA and
sustainable growth. At the same time, we are Symposium (on 23 October) focuses on TELT) by 2026; empower teachers through
actively diversifying. The NSO tables show regional and strategic topics – bringing in world-class training; and engage our industry
interesting growth in non-EU segments – delegates from teacher associations based and international partners at every step. By
for instance, Brazil and Japan represented in different countries. The Conference focusing on these priorities, we are confident
sizeable numbers of students. We see these (24–25 October) then provides a broader Malta will continue to flourish as a hub for
as opportunities to broaden our international forum for all professionals, with a strong outstanding English language education.
22 May 2025