Some one million international students have come to Malta so far to study English as a foreign language, one of the pioneers of the industry, Francis Stivala, has announced.

The teaching of English as a foreign language started in the mid-1960s.

Mr Stivala said that Malta receives the largest percentage of student numbers annually in relation to its population - one student to just under 5 persons of the population (21.4 per cent). Next comes Ireland with 3.2 per cent and UK just receives a ratio of 1 per cent.

The industry contributes €200 million to the local economy every year.

Mr Stivala, who is the principal of NSTS Language Institute, was speaking at a conference headed by Valerie Mitchell, Director General of the world-wide English Speaking Union (ESU) and Professor Alan Williams, past Director General of the ESU.

For the future, Mr Stivala said plans for the future include an improvement in spoken English nationally with the help of ESU, a raising of the EFL profession through enhanced teacher training schemes and qualifications, an accreditation system that carries European recognition, and better liaison on industry matters with the Malta Tourism Authority, such as international marketing, host family accommodation and student residences.