Up to 85,000 English language students visited Malta last year based on the country’s projected growth, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said today.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations in Malta, Mr Vella projected that foreign students had spent €145 million over 250,000 student weeks last year.

Although last year's figures have yet to be published, the previous year’s statistics showed continued growth in the industry.

Mr Vella said that 2012 saw 1.59 million student bed nights, with most students staying an average of 2.8 weeks.

Students spent €135 million in 2012, making up some 10 per cent of tourist generated income.

EFL teachers, support staff and host families also benefited from the annual increase in student arrivals. Mr Vella said that the 40 language schools across the island paid their teachers €12.37 million in 2012.

Figures released by the National statistics Office show that language students make up around one in every 18 visitors to the island.

Mr Vella said students were mostly European, with 88 per cent coming from mainland Europe.

In fact, two out of every three students come from Germany, France, Spain, Russia or Italy.