Cambridge School
May/100
Language Schools in Malta
Inhabited since around 5200 B.C, Malta’s rich, vibrant history and culture have ensured its survival, prosperity, and lure throughout Europe’s history. Today, this jewel in the Mediterranean has entered a new chapter, with its acceptance into the E.U, and the island’s eagerness for new challenges.
Malta’s past is one so richly woven with visitors, invaders, merchants, and pilgrims that the idea of international communication is one of the founding skills upon which this island has prospered for many thousands of years. From the great old cities, built by the European knights of the order of St. John, to Mdina, ‘the silent city’ with its roots in North African culture, Malta has held on to the very best of the many other nationalities it has met along the way. With the Neolithic temples dating back to 3600 B.C, this is an island which has always served as a very special meeting place for different cultures – the Phoenicians naming the island ‘Malat’ meaning ‘Safe haven’ around 1000BC.
The island’s ties with English began in the late 1700’s and were cemented in 1800 when Malta voluntarily became part of the British Empire. At the time, Italian was the language spoken by Malta’s elite, and was the official written language of Malta, although Maltese, a distinct language with Semitic roots was widely spoken. As British rule carried on through the years, English became more widely used, until Maltese and English were declared the sole official languages of Malta in 1934, at which time only about 15% of the population could speak Italian. Since gaining it’s independence from Britain in 1964, Malta, as a nation, has prospered, and renewed itself in the same way it always has; it’s location, climate, and national character attracting people from all over the world for business and leisure.
For many years, this little island in the Mediterranean has been attracting those wishing to learn English, as Malta’s education system and enterprising nature has meant that it has been able to offer an excellent academic level, whilst occupying and entertaining generations of visitors with its wonderful natural resources. As a mainly bi, or even tri-lingual culture, Malta’s inhabitants know communication better than most, and while not all native English speakers, the Maltese have grown up with all the subtleties and nuances of the language needed to produce first class teachers.
As tourism and education have come together, language schools have developed across the island, offering courses in world-recognised certificates, as well as targeted language courses such as medical, or business English. Many of the schools occupy prime locations in and around the St.Julian’s area, one of Malta’s centres for restaurants and nightlife, and some schools also organise tours and excursions to the more remote sights the island has to offer. Malta’s status as a first class language-holiday destination has meant that some of the big named international schools have set up shop, as well as independent schools such as Elanguest Ltd who have achieved some of the highest Cambridge First Certificate pass marks in the world.
The future for English language schools in Malta is tied to the nation’s ability to change and adapt to new challenges whilst keeping the best of what makes this island so special; its traditions, culture, hard-working nature, and simple beauty, and it’s for these reasons that people will be travelling to Malta to learn English for many years to come.
About the Author
Thomas West writes articles a well a fictional short stories, has taught English,and lived and worked in Malta.
Use these links to find out more about language schools in Malta,
|
|
1881 Ridley Hall Cambridge Examination School Oxford £13.24 Old Antique Historical Victorian Prints Maps and Historic Fine Art ———-. 1881 Ridley Hall Cambridge Examination School Oxford Full Page From The Illustrated London News Dated 1881, An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Weeks Date As Shown On Top Of Page, The Size Of Each Page Is Approx ( injcluding margins as shown )imately 15.5 X 11 Inches (395X280). All Are Genuine Antique Prints And Not Modern … |
|
|
Navy & Army Gunnery Instructor Cambridge Gunnery School £15.19 Navy & army gunnery instructor cambridge gunnery school page and reverse from, the navy & army illustrated 1897. Quality print from an early photograph over 100 years old . Size of each page, measures approx ( injcluding margins as shown ) 14 x 9.5 inches ( 355 x 240 ).. all are genuine antique and not modern reproductions . . selling at your price. . from. …. |
|
|
CAMBS:School of Pythagoras,Cambridge,old print,1845 Antique Print: CAMBS:School of Pythagoras,Cambridge. Caption below print: ‘1107. The School of Pythagoras, Cambridge’. Type: Antique wood engraving Date of printing: 1845. Size: 8.5 x 11.0cm, 3.25 x 4.25 inches (Small), 96 sq cm. Artist, cartographer or engraver: Unsigned. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. However, please note: Verso text quite apparent; May have a tight margin on one or mor… |
|
|
Birth Nation Videocsstte Vhs … |
|
|
Jung in Deutschland Video VHS PAL £86.62 … |
|
|
A World of English Video VHS PAL Spanish Edition £67.80 … |
|
|
Old School Style Satchel hand-crafted from Chestnut Brown Leather (Large 14-inch) £81.00 Hand-crafted in Britain from quality heavy leather by artisan leather-smiths. It’s great for kids, teenagers or adults who want something unusual. This 14-inch satchel is handmade from Autumn Tan leather and stitched using a blend of cotton and nylon for extra durability, then finished with silver buckles and rivets to complete. This design features a long adjustable shoulder strap (4-foot) giving… |
|
|
Chestnut Brown Leather Satchel hand-crafted using Vintage British Styling from Real Heavy Hide Leather (Extra Large 15-inch) £69.99 Hand-crafted in Britain from quality heavy leather by artisan leather-smiths. It’s great for kids, teenagers or adults who want something unusual. This 15-inch satchel is handmade from Autumn Tan leather and stitched using a blend of cotton and nylon for extra durability, then finished with silver buckles and rivets to complete. This design features a long adjustable shoulder strap (4-foot) giving… |
|
|
British Styled Mens/Womens Leather Messenger Satchel hand-crafted from Chocolate Brown Leather (Extra Large 15-inch Tallboy) £89.00 Hand-crafted in Britain from quality heavy leather by artisan leather-smiths. It’s great for kids, teenagers or adults who want something unusual. This 15-inch Tallboy satchel is handmade from Chestnut Brown leather and stitched using a blend of cotton and nylon for extra durability, then finished with silver buckles and rivets to complete. This design features a long adjustable shoulder strap (4-… |
|
|
Cambridge Traditional Products 5oz. Neutral Beeswax Furniture Polish P1 £5.49 Beeswax Furniture Polish helps to provide natural wood furniture with a beautiful fragrance of the polish, and to help to protect the wood, and help to cover up scratches or marks. Key Features Neutral Polish protect your wooden furniture without changing the appearance and colour of the wood. Cream unlike most polishes which are of a paste like consistency, this wax is like a cream and will go fu… |