What the English language students have to say
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
Late night skinny dips, mass drunkenness, assaults, neighbourhood noise pollution... lurid headlines have added to the perception that English language students are out of control in Malta.
Patrick Cooke spoke to some of them to get their side of the story.
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172 Comments
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Ms P M Graham
Aug 24th 2010, 21:23
Isn't the biggest problem the fact that these students are sold alcohol? Start taking away licenses from those establishments selling to minors and you may just halve the problem seen from many of the students. Foreign and resident, I may add.
On an UP note. I had to deal with a fracas outside my house a week ago and alcohol was the problem. It was after midnight and with little ones woken my mood was one of a very irate mother. I treated them as the children they were behaving as, and the following evening, both young boys knocked my door and apologized profusely.
Not all of the students are behaving badly, and yes, just remember the money they spend while here. Shame they are allowed to spend it on alcohol.
Bill Khan
Aug 24th 2010, 21:00
Perhaps all the English teaching schools could be shifted to some quiet corner of Gozo far away from the nearest dico.
R.Cassar
Sep 1st 2010, 02:06
Yeah of course considering that the main attraction in malta apart from the beaches is paceville, taking them to some remote place in gozo would be great. It's a great idea if you want to kill this section of tourism in less than 5 years.
Thomas Spot
Aug 24th 2010, 14:22
What a nation of puritans! We're all so holy I'm amazed that we even need a legal system. Suddenly the whole country appoints itself judge, jury and executioner when there is mention of young people being rowdy and unruly. For your own sake, deal with your own problems before standing at a distance and condemning these youngsters. Do they complain that senseless petards are set off around the country regardless of whether it is to everyone's liking? Do they complain that they are regularly ripped off? Do they complain that self-righteous do-gooders with nothing better to do are clamouring for them to leave and never return? Do they complain that we would have them penned into corrals rather than let them run loose and enjoy their summer holiday abroad? Those who are complaining should listen to themselves moan. You were young once and have now grown into that which you despised as a child. Well done.
Charles Callus
Aug 24th 2010, 16:00
As I said to someone else Mr Spot, just give me your address so that I can come round with my friends at 4.00 in the morning to scream and shout under your window, puke and piss on your front door and damage your property. And this every night without fail.
Put your money where your mouth is, hero.
Gilbert Lia
Aug 24th 2010, 13:02
Well these students are no income to our country.Its rather the opposite since they cause so much damage and litter a lot.I think that english schools should have more resposability on these students actions since they are the one who profit in all this.
a tonna
Aug 24th 2010, 12:45
We don't want bored tourist who don't spend one cent. We want youths who spend all what is in their pockets. And if some maoners and grumblers are unhappy with this situation, it doesn't matter. GET A LIFE and LET OTHERS LIVE!!!
Jurgen Borg
Aug 24th 2010, 08:27
Just Leave everyone live his different lifestyle guys. You just have to keep in mind that we're a modern generation that lives in a different lifestyle that those of the older generation.
P. Borg
Aug 24th 2010, 09:47
And maybe pissing from balconies onto people?
And maybe destroying cars of others?
Having sex on the beach infront of everyone?
Is this a jungle by any chance?
Come one, is this your meant modern generation? If yes, well I think the world in not by any means in good hands and destruction is coming if you consider acting like this.
No one is telling you not to party and have fun, but be responsible in your actions and NEVER party at the detriment and damage of someone else. You can still party, have fun and so on without harming others.
MBorg
Aug 24th 2010, 14:38
If you think that the way these louts are behaving represents the lifestyle of the modern genaration, I thank God that I do not belong to it.
I do not want to form part of a generation of loud mounthed hooligans , who are rude and show no respect to anybody or anything. There is no need to act in this way to have fun.
Ann Vella
Aug 23rd 2010, 21:37
Who said quote 'students are a very good source of income to Malta' ?
To whom ? The Language Schools ?!
Thomas Spot
Aug 24th 2010, 14:25
And what if the language schools pay taxes on their profits? And what if they employ people? And what if these students need to eat, drink and sleep in Malta? Ask yourself the most basic of questions before posting comments that have clearly not been thought through.
C. Schembri
Aug 23rd 2010, 20:21
Why doesn't the police force send some policemen to these schools so they could speak to the students themselves and explain to them all the consequences for everything they are doing! Serrhu raskom li kemm ghandhom arja, malli jisimghu xi twissija tajba jibzghu minn dellhom!
M BORG
Aug 23rd 2010, 14:05
This is the way st. george's bay in paceville is described on a website about paceville called http://www.visitpaceville.com/index.php
''During the evening, the beach is packed with people of all ages who simply sit on the sand to chat, relax and chill out alongside a cool summer breeze ... ''
The best is yet to come in this link !!!!!!!
http://www.visitpaceville.com/stgeorgesbay.php
The best is yet to come !!!!
Jacqui Pace
Aug 23rd 2010, 12:36
c cassar your very generalised letter is tosh !do you follow every ryanair passenger to establish where they stay and what they get up to?since air malta pulled out of glasgow,ryanair from edinburgh is the only airline flying to malta from central scotland apart from thomas cook once a week.it has absolutely nothing to do with where we choose to stay(always a 5 star)or our spending patterns.students bring in money due to the high amount of them and length of stay,but macdonalds rather than upmarket restaurants will benefit.
Karen Siddall
Aug 23rd 2010, 18:33
Hear hear Jacqui Pace. @C Cassar - Air Malta was replaced by Ryanair at our local airport this year too, so some of us do not have much choice as to which airline to fly with. We stayed in Sliema for the last 2 years and last year our hotel was inundated with noisy, rude and obnoxious students, so this year we booked directly with a small family run hotel in a different resort on a B&B basis - certainly no "all inclusive rubbish hotel". With respect to coming with tiny budget and not being interested in the local culture, my hard-earned money has contributed in the last 3 years to the transport network (buses, Gozo ferry), museums, churches, cafes, restaurants, shops (to name but a few) - not that it should matter where or how much/little people should be spending on their holiday. We can very easily take it elsewhere if you so wish, and people will start to do so if faced with this kind of attitude on top of having to share our holidays with these so called "students".
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:24
I agree 100% with C Cassar. If one wants to enjoy the quite of the night one shouldn't be in Paceville or St George's Bay or anywhere near. And the students are a very good source of income for Malta. each student brings in about Eur1 000 which is much much more than the average tourist. If each visitor brings in that much Malta would get some Eur 1.25 billion every year. What's wrong with these young students singing and bathing - even without a stitch on - at St George's Bay at night? Who are they offending? Some prude? Why don't these Maltese busybodies mind their own business? Don't they have anything better to do? And why waste the time of the police by lodging reports on these petty things? Don't the police have anything better to do?
P Pace Balzan
Aug 23rd 2010, 11:59
When you state: "If one wants to enjoy the quite of the night one shouldn't be in Paceville or St George's Bay or anywhere near";
are you proposing a massive exodus of all the residents?
I hope not.
j n ebejer
Aug 23rd 2010, 12:34
Obviously you know you are not being logical. You cannot have Paceville, Swieqi St Julian's area dedicated to student tourism. This area, it's services, establishments, beaches etc have to cater for different categories of tourists.
You agree there are different category hotels in the area whose clients' expectations do differ grossly with what students are after.
This stands for residents who have been living there long before establishments opened up and have no means to move out of the area.
So there has to be some kind of order respected and restraint on what is excessive - like noise in certain areas etc. Thiss applies to every tom dick and harry who frequents the area -not just foreign students.
And this costs money. So does repair of damage or even costlier, to regain a reputation. In your equation you forgot all this.
So no, mr wholier than thou because i am not a maltese bigot - your way of reasoning is faulty and too simplistic. And this is not just by the 'maltese way of reasoning' but by the standards set by a professional way of managing a successful and long lasting tourist resort area in what are wise communities.
Karl Consiglio
Aug 23rd 2010, 09:48
C. Cassar
You fail to understand that we do embrace their visiting Malta, point is we won't tolerate disrespectful behavior, that is all. Its only normal, imagine it was your home.
Adrian Camilleri
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:34
What's wrong with late night skinny dipping, anyway?
nicky diacono
Aug 23rd 2010, 09:42
It shows that many of you do not live in the St. Julians area, usally people like to sleep at night, but when you have drunk kids singing, screaming and making all kinds of noises till 5/6 in the morning I am sure that you would not comment. Let me make one think clear it is not only these students, in the winter months the Maltese replace them and I can tell you they are even worse. The swearing, vomiting, vandalism and the list goes on is unbearable. We do not need to turn this into a polictal situation, all that needs to ne done is more proffesioanl action from the Police, more foot patrols, serious follwing of regulations when it comes to selling alcohol to people under 16 and again here inspections by the police in all these so called bars. I can tell you as I live there the law is broken once every minute on the weekends, you see these young kids walking out of these stores with bottles of vodka, they then come and party on our parapets.
P Pace Balzan
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:28
Very correct. (re Swieqi,Paceville etc.. residents)
and then the next day exhausted from lack of sleep, in my case, I head off to work in Floriana and the wardens fine me for failing to reach a parking space (all spaces reserved for Furjanizi) within 4 mins.
In Swieqi, residents do not have reserved parking spaces.
P. Rizzo
Aug 23rd 2010, 09:00
Foreign students have been causing disturbances on their way home from Paceville for years now. No concrete action has ever been taken. Why are some of us so surprised? If nothing is ever done in Paceville to limit abuse, do you think the sudents (or Maltese youths, for that matter) will behave differently in other places like Swieqi, St Julians or Sliema? Malta is a country were decent and proper law enforcement never takes place, or when it does it's a mockery. Is arresting skinny dipping students the best police can do? Are these really the offenders? How many students have been arrested for really disturbing the public peace IN and OUTSIDE Paceville? Has anyone ever bothered to check the type of adulterated alcohol that is being served in Paceville bars and nightclubs? No wonder young people get smashed after only a couple of drinks. What a farce and what a bunch of amateurs.
Peter Korsten
Aug 23rd 2010, 08:53
Funny. People complain on youths doing exactly what all youths around the world do, but have no problem drinking and driving. And if the Maltese I know are in any way representative, they have absolutely no problem climbing behind the wheel of a car whilst blind drunk.
van de donk
Aug 23rd 2010, 08:44
If you really want to learn something ask open questions. and yes they make trouble and the money that they bring is 2 times nothing except for those schools that heve their own accomodation. they dont spent anything not on drinks in bars not on food in restaurants except mc D and BK. maybe a slice of pizza in paceville and further the whole day and evening getting drunk for 7 euro a bottle of booze from shops. Wake up Malta the new money is from people that are over 50. those people paid their homes and are still in good shape. that is where you should be investing in and that means better accomodation and less youngsters walking around during the night.
Joseph Cini
Aug 23rd 2010, 13:48
Hear, hear. At Last, someone talking real sense!
P Sciberras
Aug 23rd 2010, 03:19
Why are these students in Malta? To PARTY.
Of Drinking age?
We all do something wrong when young, but for a tiny country, with nothing spcl to offer students, let alone our own students, why are these students so interested in coming to Malta?
Prosit D Ellul, let's clean house. This starts w/ our GOVT. Instead our govt takes action against good, tax paying, Maltese citizens, ex, cultural hobbyists like trappers, traditional hunting, freedom to fish in our waters without being attacked by greenpeace or the like, or promoting real tourism, we are seeing a load of gypsy like students & cheap tourists. This has been the case for a long time. Other countries deport offenders.
Prosit E Mifsud, 100% right. When I sit dwn at a restrnt in Malta & see tourists split a btl of H2O by xx amt of glasses, that is so cheap. You don't see this done anywhere else. Wonder why? Bcs it is not tolerated!
Are we selling Malta as a dest for teens, or for adults & business people to come spnd their hols and invst in Malta? I love Malta & dont want to see it ruined! Please wake up voters!
C Cassar
Aug 23rd 2010, 08:41
You clearly haven't travelled very much. Many south coast towns in the UK have many foreign students and they also enjoy themselves to the full. It's not unique to Malta. Students are not 'cheap' tourists, they bring in around €83 million per year. The really cheap tourists are those that arrive by Ryan Air, who may have paid €50 for a ticket to Malta, so when they see a price of €40 for a nice meal out they won't spend it since it costs 'nearly as much as the flight'. That's the real problem for Malta, the tourists who don't want to spend anything because everything is relative to their flight ticket. They'll sit there in an evening drinking the cheapest beer in a bar and not very much of it either. They'll dine out at places that provide 'chips' with everything and complain about how expensive a pizza is at €7 (even though it's noticeably cheaper that the UK and of better quality). Yes, the British 'Ryan Air' clan are the ones spoiling the Maltese islands who come here with a tiny budget, aren't interested in anything related to the local culture and only accept 'all inclusive' rubbish hotels.
Fred Medhurst
Aug 23rd 2010, 11:17
@ccassar you are right about people coming to Malta on a budget. I think you should write an open letter or two in the UK newspapers to let the RuinAir tourists know they are not welcome unless they have a big budget to help your particular outlet. I will give you a head start by adding your comments to TripAdvisor.com because one thing travellers can do is choose another destination if they are not wanted in Malta. By the way I don't travel by budget airlines but it has become increasingly obvious by comments in this newspaper that there are a lot of people think that those that do are not welcome. I will help you out and spread the word
Joseph Cini
Aug 23rd 2010, 13:46
@ Fred Medhurst
Thank You .
Andrew Hili
Aug 23rd 2010, 01:47
Continued from previous comment!
------------------------
So please....stop complaining at trivial youth antics and start complaining seriously about what really matters to us now and in the coming future. What is and what will affect us really badly soon.
If you love the way we live now, then let us keep it as we like it best, let us keep our freedom!!!
So wake up and realise what the true problems really are that will very soon be affecting all our lives as we know it.
PUT YOUR COMPLAINING WHERE IT IS REALLY NEEDED!!!
And before any "bravu" accuses me of gaining from the students, allow me to reassure you that I, nor my families, have nothing to do with these students.
P Pace Balzan
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:44
If there was no financial burden I would say "so sad so bad never mind" ; but there are financial burdens imposed on residents living in these areas.
Double glazed windows, broken cars, vandalised properties etc...
Wardens are never to be seen in the Swieqi area - there is no financial gain for them.
We need real Wardens in these areas.
Andrew Hili
Aug 23rd 2010, 01:35
What I find so ironic is that many are complaining about these harmless students/youths/call them what you want antics at being young free and happy as it should be. They are no treat to any of us and they are Europeans and civilised like us. They have no intentions of taking over the world and causing drastic havoc....they simply want to enjoy their youth as we ourselves did.
But then nobody is complaining about the behaviour of the many Muslims we have running loose on our Island, procreating like there's no tomorrow (this results in them overpopulating), unlawfully using public places for their daily prayers when they have their own mosque within easy reach where they can go, expecting us to change our ways to their sad ways of living, etc...when to start off with these people swear vengeance on whoever is not Muslim, their religion does not allow them to live and befriend non muslims, and in all the years they have existed, their only true aim in life is to take over the world (happening now with illegal immigration) and make it all muslim, with those not converting being eliminated!!!
To be continued...
Andrew Hili
Aug 23rd 2010, 01:16
Why all the fuss??? Have we all forgotten our own youth? Most of us got drunk, skinny dipped, made noise and even had sex in public places, especially in the hectic 80's where we were daily surrounded by gorgeous foreigners. So what is new today? Nothing...it's just history repeating itself as it will always be with youths, be they Maltese or foreigners. Let them enjoy their youth, let them have fun, get drunk, skinny dip and be noisy. Whoever is complaining is forgetting his own youth and showing sure signs of getting old.
I live in Bugibba and my street is constantly littered with people both Maltese and foreigners. Both walk down sober and quiet, but walk back up at all hours drunk and noisy. The only difference is that the Maltese are by far noisier and are the ones to piss on your doors, cars, road and throw out beer bottles and take away left overs.
Do like me and get used to it and live and let live...someday soon your own kids will be the ones doing these so called "outrageous" scenes!
Robert Henry Bugeja
Aug 23rd 2010, 09:33
Everyone can clearly see that by the way you are protecting the attitude of many of these 'hard learning STUDENTS' you have no such interest, Mr.Hili!
Come for a walk around Sliema at around one in the morning and you will see what I mean.
Joe Xuereb
Aug 23rd 2010, 00:10
Phil Pryce. Are you by any chance talking about English language schools in Malta that are British-owned and staffed by native English speakers? And are these kids being taught the kind of English spoken by the child of a mother from deepest Yorkshire, a father from the Upper Niger or thereabouts, and going to a school of sorts in 'sarf' London?
Phil Pryce
Aug 23rd 2010, 18:34
The school I am referring to is Maltese owned with a minority of British teachers. As for the Yorkshire accent... even I don't understand them and we wouldn't want to churn out students who go home saying 'Eee, by gum' now would we?
James Gauci
Aug 22nd 2010, 23:45
sorry for being such a spoil sport and not grumbling about how rude these students are...I am a Maltese student...together with my group of friends I will start attending university this year...we applied for courses such as Bsc.'s, Law, Medicine and Nursing...nearly every saturday we get drunk together and skinny dipping is a favourite of ours...no, ladies and gents...this activities are not exclusive to foreign students studying English...get over your grumbling...
btw, my summer job was made possible thanks to these students...without them i might have ended up unemployed this summer...we do need them after all...i think that the journalists of the Times would be more professional if they showed less biased and reported the benefits of welcoming these students...
MBorg
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:09
@ C Cassar
So what in your opinion do we have to do not to be " out of date and out of touch " ? Do you ever behave in the same manner whenever you are out of the country ? I hope not you will not have a nice tale to tell when you return. If you are lucky you might even land in prison.
C Cassar
Aug 23rd 2010, 04:46
The problem with attitudes such as yours is that you assume that all foreign students act unreasonably. There are maybe 20-30 each evening out of thousands who cause some nuisance. With regards to what I do abroad, sure I have a few beers, sometimes quite a few. I like to live a little, just like the majority of students who come to Malta. If you go to ANY Mediterranean destination, particularly the islands, you will see far more 'activity' from teenagers/young people than has ever been seen in Malta. For example, take a look at Mallorca or Zakynthos - they make Malta look like a sleeping dormitory. However, the locals there take it in their stride and adapt to the situation which is what is happening in Malta bar a few people moaning on this blog. If people really believe that by posting negative comments on websites such as this will make an iota of difference then it simply shows what an immature and sheltered life they must lead.
In fact, posting details of the party atmosphere that English language students enjoy in Malta will only encourage even more to come - so keep posting!
David Ellul
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:04
Some of the comments I've read are either delusional, shockingly misinformed or hypocritical. There is nothing these students are being accused of that I haven't personally witnessed many times being done by Maltese people in (or returning from) Paceville. Fights, damaging property, urinating everywhere, skinny dipping, public sex, littering everywhere and making enough noise to wake the dead while on a quiet street. Let's throw in drunk driving to top things off. It seems to be a cultural pastime. Then there is the attempted rape by a maltese youth upon an unconscious Maltese girl that I stopped, just to the side of St. George's Bay. At least the students aren't blowing themselves and others up. At least I don't dodge students half a dozen times while driving along the coast road. So many Maltese drive in an illegal and highly dangerous way. Not all tourists have been as lucky to avoid death caused by this.
In general, what I've seen are kids, acting somewhere between being a student and a tourist. Hardly surprising because that's exactly the intention many of them have arrived with. So, how about we get our own house in order before we start throwing stones.
clare spiteri
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:52
Disgraceful behaviour on the beach. Stripping naked on the beach in sliema and walking naked all the way down to the exiles. I was with my grandchildren and called the police. These were spanish. The Italians were too busy fondling each other.These are not students, who travel in hordes as they have the hearding instinct,and would not dare behave in this fashion in their own countries.As for the people who take every opportunity to complain and criticize the Catholic Church and blame every ill on the Church in Malta, shut up I say, your comments are utterly despicable.
David Ellul
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:15
I'm curious about this. What time of day or night was this? Where in Sliema? Do you mean completely naked, with genitals displayed? Did they walk along the beach or the walkway above?
Edwin Mifsud
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:51
"All the money Malta makes in Summer comes from Students."
Tell us another one LOL!!1
I work with these students it like
"One large bottle of water and forteen glasses."
They drove our good clients away.
I'm a tourist guide.
C Cassar
Aug 22nd 2010, 20:44
I've had the opposite experience with students, especially in the evenings, they regularly spend a lot of money.
The Maltese need to embrace the change in visitors over the last few years. Stop being so out of date and out of touch.
Sergio Vassallo
Aug 22nd 2010, 22:44
C Cassar we will not embrace this turn for the worse Cassar Perhaps you are an owner of one of those shops selling the alcohol to these students? Or perhaps have some other financial or even some other interest in these students?
C Cassar
Aug 23rd 2010, 05:04
@ Sergio Vassallo: No financial interests for me, just a lot more open minded, tolerant and still in touch with the vibrant young generation that Europe has to offer. What about you?
MANDY BROWN
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:28
My husabnd and I love Malta and respect its population but.......I often feel that they don't respect their own country. It is no wonder that some of the students don't either. They see the mess and think you don't care.
D. Scerri
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:46
How very true. Sad, but true.
Etienne Ciantar
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:47
Most of these students seem to be only interested in sea and sun. Having a large influx of undisciplined students goes completely against Malta's quest of becoming a truly upmarket destination. It is fine to have students as long as their numbers are contained and their behaviour closely monitored. English language students must be a way of diversifying the tourism industry and not destroying it.
enrico acquaviva D'aragona
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:05
Malta an uptown destination?... how can it be with all those terrible buildings, some of them never even completed.... just on the edge of what instead it would be a nice landscapes... is there somewhere left in Malta that is not scared by distressful building regulation???
I think those are the things that will discourage a more upmarket type of tourism.. definitely not some students that are just relegated in a small area in Paceville. !
Joe Xuereb
Aug 22nd 2010, 17:56
Judging by the standard of spoken and written English in Malta, I would say that this lucrative (for some) little English Language Teaching industry is a failure and nobody in their right mind would spend good money sending their child to Malta to study English. The students are being short-changed and should ask for their money back before they leave. Malta is rightly very proud of its burgeoning tourist industry, now stalled. Malta never got to grips with two basic facts (in tourism). One, that tourists are fickle. And two, tourism is very competitive. Malta, like many places all over, has a lot to offer. To the casual visitor, interested only in getting away from the greyness and drudgery of home, it has nothing to offer that thousands of destinations don't. Walled cities are wonderful but not everybody's cuppa. And the same goes for churches and cathedrals. Maybe Malta could re-package itself as a pilgrimage destination, the infrastucture (ie. people's mentality) is already in place. As too foreign settlers who came to holy Malta to escape their own heathen culture. @M.Borg (2hrs.54mins.) - my comment gave you the creeps? Which part in particular. Come on. Be brave. I don't bite.
MBorg
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:35
You asked which part ? Why all of it I would like to know why you write all this material just to show that you are modern. It is oh so very moden to make fun of the church . The funny thing is no one, but no one wrote anything against religion.
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:09
Another English teacher? What do you know of the standards attained by these students. There are those that arrive as basic beginners and leave with the ability to communicate at a sophisticated and educated level in good English. Many achieve well beyond what they thought they could achieve. Don't let the few colour your judgment of the many satisfied students who leave Malta with new skills. I wish those that use this wonderful free podium, the Times of Malta, for the expression of their feelings would confine their mutterings to that about which they actually know something. And don't get me wrong. I DO NOT condone the state of St. Georges Bay after the revellers leave, and I do not condone the noise and mayhem that a few lambast the local population with. But, please don't belittle all the good that does go on.
Stephen Farrugia - Rightwing
Aug 22nd 2010, 17:31
I found a perfect video to explain what is really happening at St Georges Bay and Paceville. Students are most welcome but the law has to be respected. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgUuNk18VN4
Karl Consiglio
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:15
Dgilford,
Some Blue Flag
Sergio Vassallo
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:51
A lot of poles to stick the flag to
MBorg
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:09
@ Dgiford
Thanks for pointing it out to us. What a mess, unbelievable. In some of these student's home country you will be fined if you as much as drop a piece of paper . and they came here are leave all this mess behind them ? How dare they.? The police , yes the police should take the culprits to court and make them pay to clean the beach. If nothing works out the beach should be closed at night.
We have to show that we are strong that they are to obey our rules while in Malta and that includes no Skinny dipping even if late at night or early morning.
W Spencer
Aug 24th 2010, 10:25
How can you critisise foreigners for not abiding by various laws, etc, when the foreigners see that it is a Maltese custom to ignore any laws, regulations.
When in Rome................................. !!!
Philip Sultana
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:01
I used to think that the country is rotten, but I was wrong ... it's many Maltese people's minds that are rotten! Narrowmindedness, intolerance and bigotry pervades the islands; perhaps products of isolation in Europes fringes.
C Cassar
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:52
I agree. Many Maltese are simply jealous of the chances offered to these foreign visitors. The cocooned and shelterd upbringing of many Maltese doesn't allow them to cope when confronted by those who have had more life experience (during the same number of years) and who freely enjoy themselves.
Malta is in the EU which offeres limitless opportunity to the Maltese and yet they criticise those that come to Malta. Just because others don't lead their lives in the same way as many Maltese doesn't make them wrong.
The Maltese should really clean up their own back yard before being in a position to criticise anyone else.
I'm definitely all for bringing many more students to Malta, otherwise the islands will turn into a stagnant and empty museum.
Karl Consiglio
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:48
Dgilford,
Thank you for posting, prosit.
Out of all things they have a go at them for skinny dipping?
Philip Sultana
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:34
Going by the level of English used in many of these comments, these English courses will be useful for many Maltses people as well!
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:56
Well said my friend!!!
Daniel Spiteri
Aug 23rd 2010, 09:33
Maltses?!? :p
Mario Maccaronio
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:24
Salve ,io direi di incentivare meno questo flusso di studenti facendo scuola di qualita' riducendo con meno scuole e alzando i prezzi e chiedendo la pagella scolastica e accettare solo gli studenti piu promettenti. Se la vostra isola con troppi cattivi studenti si trasforma in una caotica e invivibbile isola le persone che voglio fare turismo in serenita' ,non vengono , quindi pochi studenti ma buoni , facendo una selezione prima di essere accettati da una buona scuola devono presentare un buon profitto dell'anno scolastico , quelli che non hanno studiato durante l'anno nei loro paesi e' sicuramente uno studente che quando arriva a malta dara' solo problemi , non sara' d'aiuto all'economia maltese .parlo cosi' perche ho vissuto e lavorato per 10 anni a malta.
D. Scerri
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:53
"parlo cosi' perche ho vissuto e lavorato per 10 anni a malta."
Then you should realise that your comment to an English language paper, in a country where Italian has no status as an official (or unofficial) language, should have been in...English. Congratulations.
Peter Cassar
Aug 22nd 2010, 22:50
Sono in accordo con te Mario. Qualita non quantita e la giusta scelta.
b briffa
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:13
Had the students been Arab, everyone would complain. Since they're not, some people are just happy about them. Catholic Malta.
Christian Ellul
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:07
I'm deeply worried about something...
clearly seen from their comments, they haven't socialised with Maltese people, some reported they haven't even met Maltese, yet they're on Malta! Instead they tend to socialize with counterparts from Spain, Italy, France etc. What worries me is that instead of taking the opportunity to integrate Malta and the Maltese into their culture (something which may bear fruit for us in the future) we tend to isolate ourselves even though they are in our country.
We have to see the bigger picture...Europeans on the mainland (mainly Germany, France and East Europe) don't really have a good impression of the Maltese...often having wrong perceptions about us.
But it seems we tend to completely disregard such an important issue. Never do i see it as an issue of concern for the Maltese, on the newspaper or on the news etc.
Yet being myself staunchly patriotic it seriously worries me!
C Cassar
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:57
It's probably because they are in Malta studying English. All their colleagues/classmates are from outside Malta. Why would they meet many/any Maltese anyway? In fact I recommend they don't make any effort to meet the locals since most of them seem to hate students anyway.
D. Scerri
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:56
"clearly seen from their comments, they haven't socialised with Maltese people, some reported they haven't even met Maltese, yet they're on Malta! Instead they tend to socialize with counterparts from Spain, Italy, France etc. What worries me is that instead of taking the opportunity to integrate Malta and the Maltese into their culture"
Judging by the way they demonstrate respect for this country and our laws, I'd say they're becoming more Maltese by the day.
Antoine Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:43
It's obvious what they think !!!! As long as they spend some money they can do what they like . Besides , it's ok with us because we have always bend over backwards to please the foreigners but threat each other like dirt. Such a shame
J Herrera
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:43
You hit the nail on the head mate :)
Joseph Calleja
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:37
Stop blaming the students. Put the blame where it belongs and that blame belongs to the reckless parents of these students who dump their kids on Malta and don't know or care what their kids are doing, obviously not learning English. These are hot blooded youths, away from home and obviously with plenty of money to spend and a lot of time on their hands. The other blame goes to the supervisors responsible for the behavior of these students. And the third and most important blame goes to the Maltese authorities for being so lax with law and order. Maybe we should hire Wardens to control these students and fine them when they brake the law. It works very well for illegal parking? I doubt if the commissioner is aware of all this hullabaloo going on or maybe he is ignoring the whole thing. Malta has built the reputation all over Europe that it is the place to go to if you want to party. All you have to do is convince Mommy and Daddy you are going to Malta to learn English and the rest is easy. We want tourists and as long as they have money who cares?
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:53
Oh... so you are another English teacher who knows exactly what these students do in the classroom. Oh pleeaassee! Why don't you keep your comments to what you know about. I agree with you on one thing; the authorities should provide proper policing of the known trouble spots. If trouble crops up, stamp it out and send them home. No question about it. But don't spout on about them being here to have fun and not learn English. They do, in their thousands.
Joan Mallia
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:54
To be honest after watching the vedio to my mind its a load of codss wallop in otherwords its crap. These so called "students" only come here to get away from their miserable stressfull country and ofcourse their immediate families..they call it FREEDOM. Our honest Maltese verdict....GET RID OF THEM QUICK , Let them go and annoy some other poor bagger in another mediterranean country, but not this one thankyou verymuch. so Hasta La vista Hombre, ciao ciao Bambino and all that .
Melisa Barbara
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:15
Well said Joan my girl, straight from up, no messing, and we are behind you 200%.
Joe Xuereb
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:54
For argument's sake, allow me to divide the revellers into two categories.
The first category, the foreign students are away from home for the first time. They are full of vigour. Consciously or not, they are exploring the boundaries of life by trial and error. The last thing on their mind is 'early to bed as I have to go to Mass tomorrow.
The second category are the home-grown Maltese youth. They may, or may not go frequent Paceville but they go to church like often. They are told to practise quick showers to avert temptation. They buy into Catholic guilt big time.
Of the two categories, give me the first type any time. The second category make my skin creep. They give me what they are, the creeps
.
Are you there T.Mifsud (4hrs.10mins.)? Talk about an insidious, manipulative mixed message. Not forgetting one Teresa Calleja on: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100811/local/students-fined-for-swimming-naked
And anybody who thinks like them naturally.
MBorg
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:36
Guess what ? Your comment gave me the creeps.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy,wealthy and wise. They are not making it to the early mass, but I wonder how the are getting up early enough to make it to school. As for the rest of the saying they are certainly not staying healthy with all the drinks they are consuming nor wealth and wise, If they were they would not behave in the way they are behaving.
Rene Debono
Aug 22nd 2010, 23:19
Stop generalising, no-one is as fanatically raised as you wrote. You can't sort Maltese youth into delinquents and religious fanatics, we're living in the early 21st century.
Nizar Hingari
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:44
You can party as much as you like but please respect local laws and traditions .. if you break the law, you will be deported and blacklisted !
Douglas Bagnall
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:41
What a sorry mess, I fear it is too late for you to turn this problem round. You have lost many tourists because of this influx of uncontrolled so called students, like ourselves I doubt a lot of tourists will ever return to your once lovely holiday Island. We feel cheated having to holiday in other countries after having so many happy years with you, but not every one likes the wild side, and not all students have the spending power as some of us older generation. Still your authorities must know what they are doing and know what is best. We still read the Times in the hope one day your lovely Island, and people, will appeal to us once again to us.
Mr & Mrs Bagnall
W Spencer
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:48
Think you have been a little bias with your comments. Most of the many dissatisfied tourists to the Maltese Islands have stated so many more reasons, other than students, for not wanting to return here.
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:25
Could you please be more specific, W. Spencer !!
victor vella
Aug 22nd 2010, 17:09
@Jesmond Micallef, Let me specify why tourists are shying away from our island 1) as soon as they arrive they find a mess in thier luggauge, as I have found to my dismay many times. 2) Taxi drivers or bus drivers try to cheat them. 3) They are given food which is not even fit for pigs and charged 3 times as much as they would have to pay for much better food in other countries. 4) The country has always been and still is in a mess.Have a look at Bugibba early in the morning. 5) Our so called beaches while they are cleaned every day are full of umbrellas and deckchairs and they have to pay through thier noses for the enforced services. 6) If the tourist has the misfortune to wake up early and drive through our roads he would learn the names of his ancestors up to and including the times of the knights. Is that enough or would you like me to specify more?
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 22nd 2010, 22:22
@Victor Vella, thanks. Please do by all means, I want to know more, seriously !!
Dgilford
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:26
"what the maltese have to say...."
St George’s Bay by night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk3rlqmHjmk
a.demicoli
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:23
Why do we keep calling them students given that the least thing they do is study !
c.ccarbonaro
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:22
DOISGUSTING.tHOSE WHO DO NOT BEHAVE WELL SHOULD BE BANISHED TO THEIR COUNTRY.sHAME ! They have their country to do such things.
ms ghoare
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:13
As a mother i dont think i would wonna send my kids to learn a language abroad ,I honestly beleive these parents are sending their kids out here for one RESON and 1 Reson only to GET RID OF THEM FOR THE SUMMER ,. I see what these kids get up to when they are here jumping from balcony to another,i live infront of a hotel that used to host Language student and my heart used to stop and when i use to hear a thump first thing that came to mind was one of them fell off .The nights were very roudy with screams and play with thier window and the curtains open we seen what was happening inside ,OMG is the only word i can say.these are not tourist ,they are niuncence waste of space and the only people that support these students are people who is making money out of it ,
Karl Consiglio
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:12
Why not interview students when they are drunk on our streets straight away?
And on the only 2hr a day lessons you will find out that these lessons are to be kept, not in the least bit intensive, but as fun a s possible lest they get bored and make bad publicity about coming here.
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:45
And just what do you know about the intensity of these courses? Don't comment on something you know absolutely nothing about!
Isabella Peresso Fiorentino
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:05
Haven't many of us been there?
Hans Fischer
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:54
I don't know i certainly have never been there. i lived in many countries in my time,now we ended up in Malta temporary, and i have never seen such shambles as this little island.
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 23rd 2010, 11:48
Could you be more specific about which countries you are talking about here, please ?
Ann Vella
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:50
The English Language Schools should be responsible for the students they bring over to 'learn English' !? Why don't the schools regulate these students?
Malta does not benefit from their economy, since these students have limited money to spend!
They are a nuisance and a disturbance to Maltese people.
They cause devastation and damage to apartments and public places.
They are a nightmare........
Maria Azzopardi
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:46
Students behaviour is not what is going to bring our tourist economy down.. it is the non existent sense of aesthetics when it comes to construction and the government and citizens negligence when it comes to environmental awareness and action.
How can we expect the students to have respect for the island if we dont respect it ourselves.. common sense!
a vella
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:45
to all moaners and grumblers:
go to afghanistan and join the taliban. we want malta to become and island synounymous with fun and youths
George Fenech
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:06
How about you going to afghanistan a vella? You can have more fun there.
sandro pace
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:26
Indeed. Enjoy and revel as much as you like, but with respect to law, order, decency, and private property. What's wrong with that?
Had the police not taken action, it would have been sex on the beach in two weeks time, in broad daylight, on a family beach. Give a finger take a hand. As we say in malta.
Taliban? You have no sense of proportion.
Inside where they stay they can do what they like, but probably even there there is some control if they are underage. Something that even their parents are in favour of.
Dgilford
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:28
A Vella...
Please watch the vedio link that I have posted.. Do you still call me moaner and grumbler? : )
Charles Micallef
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:44
"X'pajjiz ta' nies imdejjqin! Tgergir biss! (Have Internet, will grumble!)"
So applicable on this specific comment!
anthea doughty
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:41
Ha ha ha, if our students/youngsters were scrutinised most of them wouldn't be deemed fit to enter your country. And my first thought reading this article was they act badly and out of control here so why would they act any differently whilst in Malta?! I can hear the feedback now to my comments, generalising and tarring them all with the same brush blah blah, but FACT British youngsters are a drunken, foul mouthed, disrespectful lot. Legacy of do-gooders and PC.
J Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:37
Remind me, whenever was Sliema/St Julians quiet in summer? Some of you are just desperate to find an excuse in order to force a prohibitory injuction on bars.
If you're looking for quiet summer nights, rather than trying to move the activity away from the centre, you should contemplate moving to a quieter part of Malta yourselves.
Arnold Galea
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:29
The students that come to Malta are important for our tourism and the income that many families are making for offering accommodation at their homes.
This is a very effective way to advertise Malta because many of these students will always remember the hospitality of Maltese families, if we have to do something about it, we should make sure that all families are giving a good service and making a very good impression with them.
These students might in the future be potential Tourists or maybe Investors in our Economy. We should make sure to protect the citizens of Malta from noise and excessiveness, however, we should not become a Taliban country as the narrow minded amongst of us seem to suggest.
And apart from the economic benefits, it's good for our youngsters to open up opportunities to mix up with different peoples from all over Europe.
Finally I'm convinced that most of the population do not agree with the negativity towards these students and those that are should really seriously consider the various benefits they bring to our country.
john zahra
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:15
These so called english language students are doing more harm than good to Malta's image a s a tourist destination.
They end up putting our infrastructure services under pressure to the cost of the the bona fide tourists. more effort should be put into attracting the tourist required to run our hotels with the resulting ripple effect on our economy.
in my opinion thes so called language schools are more of a front with little or no control from the responsible authority!
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:55
From the standard of spoken English in the video, I think the language schools are generally doing a pretty good job. What are you implying by calling them 'a front'? A front for what?
Not sure what you mean by "more effort should be put into attracting the tourist required to run our hotels". Is there just one tourist going to run all the hotels in Malta. What an amazing tourist he/she must be... gifted indeed.
Anthony J. Borg
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:58
PAROLE, PAROLE, PAROLE ! Tparla minghajr ma taghmel daqsxejn homework. Bis-sahha ta' dawn it-tip ta' zjarrar, ghandna dhul sostanzjali, filwaqt li hafna zaghzagh Maltin ikollhom l-opportunita' ta' job / part-time job ghal diversi xhur. Issa min jikser xi ligi ghandu jigi ddixiplinat, izda dak li jaghmlu l-istudenti ta' l-Ingliz , jaghmluh il-Maltin, l-Ghawdxin, it-turisti normali u kullhadd ! XEJN TA' BARRA MINN HAWN !
Charles Micallef
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:10
The least offensive is the skinny dipping, the worse is their general behavior and vandalism mainly caused by un-supervised yobs, irrespective of their nationalities.
One night and just across from where I live they the demolished some 20 meters length of coping stones from a newly built wall of the former Amorin Complex, so i just hope that we do not play down such acts with remarks as boys will be boys!
The only thing that the Authorities can do is to insist on supervision and hold their supervisors responsible for these young louts’ actions and their behaviour will soon improve!
Leave them un-supervised and you can see the results for yourself!
Jack Vella
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:06
I think Malta should be happy with the fact that at least somebody come here and enjoys their stay. It seems that English language students is the only type of tourists that are attracted to Malta lately. No wonder that tourism is declining here, with absence of clean sandy beaches, good restaurants, bars, hotels, very poor level of service, 3rd world quality of transport and roads.
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:47
Mr. Vella, the 3rd. world quality of transport and roads will soon disappear, rest assured. At least one should be "proud" that Malta has a reputation for the teaching and the promotion of the 1st world language, English, to those countries that indeed define the difference between such "wordy worldly descriptions" in the first place !!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:56
X'pajjiz ta' nies imdejjqin! Tgergir biss! (Have Internet, will grumble!)
Samantha Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:29
X'interessi ghandek f'dawk l-istudenti sur Farrugia? Qed izzomm xi ftit minnhom id-dar tieghek? Jew ghandek xi skola jew xi agenzija li ggibhom Sur Farrugia?
M.Cachia
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:45
How nice you are - maybe you'd like to switch homes with my elderly parents, who have had students urinating all over the road, throwing rubbish in the porch , vandalising thier car and having sex in thier front garden. Are the Maltese to be held to ransom by these "students"? I'd invite any of the people that excuse thier actions to do the same in the students' home countries - and then to give us a good description of what forieghn jails look like.
A Abela
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:39
I don't think he has any interest. This students generate income to the establishments in Paceville. I think if they were your kids madam, and would go abroad to learn a language they would act similarly. They're only teenagers or slightly older! Respect them. Remember that once you were yourself a teenager.
Twanny Meilaq
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:43
He teaches Italian!
a abela
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:09
Whatever a commentator does is immaterial. Look at the substance of his comments! Far better than certain commentator on the timesofmalta
Samantha Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 22:59
A Abela I certainly did not act like these maniacs and neither would my kids because they are disciplined unlike the spoiled brats.
sandro pace
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:33
I dont know the percentages of foreign students by country, but one hardly hears of German and perhaps other nordic students causing any trouble or disobeying. There is something wrong with us mediterreneans and discipline.
Though the sentence was harsh, going nude remains illegal. Perhaps the police wanted to nip this thing from the bud (no pun), and cause a deterrence. A good and effective thing. However, a hefty fine would have been suitable, only to be replaced by a (not-suspendable) prison term if it is not payed.
Joseph Mizzi
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:33
Interesting that two of those interviewed state that they haven't come in contact with any Maltese. Probably because they might have read a translated version of 'Li Tkisser Sewwi' ...
B.Boyle
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:23
Only 2 hrs a day learning the English language! Maybe more time in the class an then their interviews would not sound like they have not learnt a thing!
By all means have fun but like myself, they are visitors to Malta and should respect the local views and ethics. Their parents should be more responsible too.
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:47
"Only 2 hrs a day learning the English language! Maybe more time in the class an then their interviews would not sound like they have not learnt a thing!"
Perhaps you didn't listen to all of then, but apart from one Spanish and one French guy, most of them seemed to have a good command of English. Most of the students spend a lot more than 2 hours in class. The minimum is 3 hours and many do 4.5 and up to 6 hours in class, plus homeork every day. Yes, I am an English language teacher, for which I make NO apologies. Most of my students are highly motivated, decent people. By the way, what you should have written was "more time in the class AND then their...etc"
savid spiteri
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:19
malta gets all it's money from students . NOT !
Stephen Forster
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:05
Wow, 2 hours a day learning English! Great course......NOT
Stephen Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:59
What a bunch of buffoons... Malta is becoming like ibiza... an island without a name... we should start charging students twice what we charge, ever been to ibiza?? ever considered that there might be inhabitants there?? I mean, really, don't be assholes, have you ever tought that someone actually lives in ibiza? Or the first think in mind is parties and discos?
"i haven't seen many maltese people" .... mostly because maltese people found other ways of recreation. These students come to malta to hook up with other students!
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:16
There you see? You said it yourself. In other countries the police will clamp down on you if you don't respect laws and customs. Quite right too. But most of the correspondents on this blog prefer to call the students scum and similar. No doubt a small percentage, as in any society are 'scum'. Tarring all foreign students with the same brush in this way is both wrong and inflamatory. Malta should do like other countries and clamp down hard on the trouble makers, leaving the decent students to enjoy their stay in Malta.
J Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:38
You're a very polite well-mannered man yourself, I see.
Phil Pryce
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:40
My last comment was supposed to be for JN Ebejer below. Apologies for finger problems.
C Cassar
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:56
They sound like normal teenagers to me. They come to learn English, enjoy the weather and party in the evenings. What's the problem with that? I can see some real jealousy from some who are posting on this blog who clearly lead a boring childhood and now realise what they missed out on.
The fact that those that are moaning lived sheltered lives doesn't give them the right to apply their limited experiences to the students that come to Malta. Most of these students have travelled far more than many moaning Maltese and are much more open minded as a result.
So there are a few bad apples? There are a much higher percentage of Maltese teenagers that cause problems that those from overseas.
I say bring more students to Malta since they add a vibrancy that would make Malta a dead zone if they weren't to come.
John Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:43
To Cassar; Right on! Makes sense.
Joe Borg
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:31
C Cassar if you want these scum as they were called we don't.
wcuschieri
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:52
A good article/video would be to go in the evening undercover and film and expose what's really going on...
c zammit
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:13
this footage explains it all....they come here not to learn English but to party and drink all night long....next time dear times of malta do this homework at night time...go around after midnight and check it out and you'll understand why these students come to malta !!!!!!!
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:07
And how many of these moaners actually live around St. Georges bay.
Michael Gatt
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:35
Stephen Koludrovic even if those commenting do not live near the beach they still have a right to comment and not let these students make Malta a free-for-all slum paradise. If they want to do so they can stay in their own countries because they are not welcome.
j n ebejer
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:02
In many states like contries in USA , regions in Italy and France, Federal or council by laws prohibit different behaviur - which some of the readiers commenting here would accept as normal.
In some resorts in Italy, were the atmosphere of quite streets in the evening is considereda s an asset, the wearing of wooden noisy clogs is prohibited, in Cannes going around in swimsuit will have you fined and confined out of establishments in many U.S. states skin dipping and topless bathing gets a police beach patrol checking you down. Should anyone dare call these Taliban? Maltese bigots? No they have set what they deem fit standards which suits their resident's way of lifer and because they respect themselves and are serious enough they make visitors respect them. And how.
But it seems we have no self respect and we can set no standards and have these respected. Just look around and me honest in judging a service, a programm a project etc etc
S. Azzopardi
Aug 23rd 2010, 11:03
Agree with you 100%
J Theuma
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:36
First!!!!
"I have'nt seen any maltese people".....??!!! lol
Nick Falzon
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:28
Hahaha. You really couldn't make this stuff up!
TWO HOURS A DAY LEARNING??
Unbelievable. What a farce!
T Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:54
Nick Falzon two hours a day learning a foreign language? They must be geniuses
Nick Falzon
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:02
I think the English Language Schools have got some explaining to do.
I work in the St George's Bay area. All I ever hear is these students speaking in Dutch/Spanish/Italian/Swedish. Never in English.
They seem to spend more time lazying around on the beach or buying expensive tat in Baystreet than learning English.
Steve Zammit
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:10
Wow how intense their lessons are...NOT
2 hours a day... WHAT A FARCE!
What ??? these thousands of students are coming here in the name of learning english and then they only have lessons of just 2 hours in a WHOLE day??? Unbelievable!
The above inteview just proves the fact that the majority are here simply to have fun and not to learn English!
C Cauchi
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:26
Yes we need theses students. The uausal moaners and grumblers should stay at home, put off the light at nine, wear ear plugs and sleep only to wake up when the sun goes up at 6. Pathetic some people think that youngsters should live like in a monastery.
wcuschieri
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:25
ccauchi, I don't know where I've heard this expression or who said it: "Your rights end, when the rights of others begin". Having fun and breaking the law are very different things. Would you do that yourself? Being forced to go to bed at 9 o'clock with earplugs? Just turning a blind eye if people vandalise your property? Why should that happen??? Where is your empathy if you know the meaning of the word? Sometimes it amazes me how many Maltese people don't show any solidarity towards their own. It also amazes me how when it has been proven again and again that there is a serious problem people tend to say: 'tough, let's live with it'. That is pathetic!
Samantha Grima
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:29
C Cauchi we don't need these scum. As they say birds of the same feather flock together.
C Cauchi
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:36
to cuschieri:
go to live in afghanistan or tibet. there no fun is allowed or at least only officialy approved fun.
wcuschieri
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:26
Cauchi, just because we want respect and that our laws are enforced it doesn't make us Afghanistan or China. Go yourself to these places if you want. Honestly, some levels of ignorance don't cease to surprise me...
S. Azzopardi
Aug 23rd 2010, 11:00
Mr Cauchi,
what does that mean? Are we supposed to live with everything that harms us? this is why this country is rotting because it's people accept everything and close their eyes because they are too lazy to react and adjust what's wrong. This is why we are in this state. We moan and moan but we never do anything. When they destroy your car just don't forget to tell us how happy your are please. I don't accept vandalism of any sort, coming from any nationality and being red, black or blue. Pissing on someone passing in the street from a balcony is totally unacceptable for example.
T Mifsud
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:25
To all language students ....
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!!!
We like you having fun here while you study. We like you relaying, when you go back to your country, what a beautiful country Malta is and how much you had fun. So study and party on.
When close to residential areas it would be prudent not to irate the citizens who have their homes built next to entertainment areas. Otherwise welcome welcome welcome! You help our economy too.
To the people irate about the students: You are right if they piss on your door, bang on your door at 3am, leave empty bottles in your porch. You should be respected. But please ... let them be young and happy. And if they skinny dip at 3.30am so what?! Look the other way if you are prudish. Damage to your house is one thing, but skinny dipping in the dark at 3.30am shouldnt even feature in the paper! Live and let live!
Jacob Sammut
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:30
T Mifsud host them at your home because we do not want them here and if they read this message so much the better because we are fed up with them and those who like you excuse their madness.
Ryan Bugeja
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:07
Jacob, you seem like you forgot the time when you were young, possibly getting sloshed and maybe even hunting like a caveman for the blonde student here and there. Or maybe you came in a time when Libyan was the must-language for Malta rather than English and so we couldn't teach English to others? Maybe your son and daughter (if you have any or if you will have any) will earn their cash working for language schools... THEN I want to see you and any other moaner complaining...
Come on people get a life.
These young students are bringing money into the country, maybe not as much when they are here (because like any young person, their budgets are very limited), but definitely before they depart as the language learning fees are not small... and what language schools pay to host families is much more than what most host families give to students.
Go to Paceville, anytime, any day of the week, and it's weekend everyday there thanks to these students.
Unfortunately some moaners like a lot of you here just see the noise, and the naked bather... and they forget many things from their youth!
Nizar Hingari
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:37
Its Arabic not libyan ! Libyan is a just a dialect( even so it has sub dialects) its like saying Im learning tuscan or sicilian ! No Im learning Italian :P
Jane Sammut
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:11
Ryan Bugeja quoting from another commentator. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Ryan Bugeja
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:24
@Nizar Hingari Ooops apologies for that!!! You are very right!
P. Borg
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:49
Mr/Ms. Mifsud.
I do not have a problem with them having fun or getting naked. At the end is their body they show not mine. But I will never be happy of them:
- coming infront of my car out of nowhere almost causing an accident (because then I would be blamed) because they do not respect the traffic rules;
- crossing the road on a green light because they are too drunk to notice it;
- leaving rubbish all over beaches especially St. George's Bay;
- Having sex on the beach;
- Going from one balcony to another;
- hindering my peaceful sleep;
- damaging my car;
- being arrogant;
and I can go on forever. Is this being happy and funny because they are young? Come on there is some sort of fun and another. I have fun but I never piss on someone else door or destroy a glass bottle on a car's bonit like I saw this weekend, only to be "funny". And for a change, there may be people that had their house built much before entertainment establishments decided to open. If a shop opens in my street I have no control on it.
S. Azzopardi
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:55
@Ryan Bugeja
They are welcome in our country as long as they behave properly. Are you going to excuse them because they are young? Would you excuse them because they are young if you found one of them jumping on your car's roof? Come on, no one used to complain when they behaved but now it is beginning to be too much. This is not about moaning, it is about doing something against any act of damage and this applies to everyone. I believe that all those who are complaining here are doing so against all those students that are being irresponsible and not against those who come here to study seriously. Do we have to except everything for the sake of money?
dfarrugia
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:18
How funny everything that is going bad in Malta we call it "PERCEPTION"
D Psaila
Aug 23rd 2010, 00:21
Let me guess dfarrugia ...... you are a startk labour party supporter.
And you are honestly convinced that once labour will be in power, almost all the bad things in this country will vanish in a short time. And the "perception" will then cease to exist.
Obviously, this is only a perception from my part, I might be totally wrong.
P. Borg
Aug 23rd 2010, 10:40
Why in this country no one can get through an argument without mentioning politics? It has always to be fault of Gonzi or Muscat. Those are the only two reasons of Malta's problems. Who mentiones PL and PN in this article? To my knowledge no one did it. This is why this country never grows up because we are in love and totally blind onto politics. Haven't you ever heard that politics is dirty? Whoever the party is by the way.
he one who need to be blamed for the problems caused by these students are the schools who only care about the money they make and not about the category of students they are infesting our islands with.
Mandy Spiteri
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:17
How about you go and do some filming at night time Times of Malta at St. Geroges bay, and post that on the site!.....not during the day when everyone is sober. Or perhaps at 5am, you can post a picture of what the beach there looks like before the beach cleaners get to work. Or perhaps some footage of the Sweiqi park area?
William Diacono
Aug 23rd 2010, 08:48
M Muscat
Re: respect towards parents - agreed.
And how did this happen? It happened in the name of "progress"
More luxuries in life, and less attention to kids. We got computers, we got mobile phones, we got air-conditoners, satellite receivers, internet and we got big flat-screen TV's.
And to sustain all this ...... women had to change thier role and go out to work, and in doing so, sacrifice the proper upbringing of their children, as used to be in the good old days from where I (and probably you) come from. Lack of attention and time spent with children ultimately results in lack of respect and good values. Then, we reap what we sow.
Material progress, human deterioration. I don't like it.
gcForte
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:14
I think that it makes more sense to teach these foreign students how they should behave, before teaching them English. I urge the authorities to scrutinize these students before leaving their respectful country, by first ask for their police conduct, and secondly a certificate from the state/ schools that they are harmless. I am saying this, before a tragedy will happen, or are we playing it as usual, when it happens we act.
M Muscat
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:14
What makes you think young Maltese people are any better?
Sergio Vassallo
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:33
M Muscat what interest do you have in these foreign rabble and riff-raff and denigrate Maltese youths?
gcForte
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:26
@ M.Muscat............I have no problem to say that if Maltese students goes abroad they will be scrutinized as well. From my point of view, I have spent part of my youth working as a soldier abroad. We were hundreds of us, and I never remember that any of us put a shame on our country. We use to go out at night having German boys / girls as our friends, drink dance, and enjoy ourselves, without annoying others. Many times we will be invited to there homes, and many of us got married, or remained friends till today. As far as I can say Maltese STUDENTS are more responsible ( when abroad ) than all other students, because, of our culture of respecting, and remain faithful to their parents,more than the foreign students.
W Spencer
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:06
@ Sergio Vassallo
He is not denigrating ( unfair critisism ) Maltese youth, he is merely telling the truth. Yet you would prefer to remain in denial ?
Moaners, complainers, are all wasting their time and breath in berating foreign students. In these " some are more equal than others " Maltese Islands. The people who have a vested financial interest in foreign students coming here, are members of the " untouchables ".so things will never change !!
M Muscat
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:38
Respect towards parents! You are talking about 20 years ago gcForte. Things have changed and the lack of discipline in this country is felt everywhere. Take a look around you and you will soon find out. Wake up!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:14
I think that such a write up as yours, viz. 'Late night skinny dips, mass drunkenness, assaults, neighbourhood noise pollution... lurid headlines ...' are extremely overexaggerated and certainly irresponsible.
Ryan Bugeja
Aug 22nd 2010, 13:04
I tend to agree with you Franco...sometimes it feels like there's some hidden agenda...