The number of overseas language students in Malta dropped by 0.8 percent to 83,288 last year compared to 2007, the NSO said today.

It said a total number of 39 schools operated in English-language teaching during 2008

83,288 students followed EFL courses during 2008 a decrease of 664 students over the figure registered in 2007.

The biggest age group was of those aged 16-17 at 22.3 percent, followed by the '15 and under' age group, at 18.6 percent.

Female students were predominant in the student population, making up 57.1 per cent of total incoming students. Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Russian Federation were the biggest source markets and students from these countries amounted to 72.3 per cent of the total.

There was a net increase of 3,485 students from Italy and a net decrease of 4,576 from Spain.

During 2008 students visiting Malta to study English amounted to 6.5 percent of all incoming tourists, compared to 6.8 per cent for 2007. The majority of these students, 54.9 per cent, chose to follow a course during the summer. On the other hand, 10.1 per cent of stays occurred during the winter months and 35 per cent during the shoulder months.

When compared to 2007, the number of students as a percentage of total incoming tourists in summer decreased by 1 per cent, from 10.8 percent to 9.8 percent, amounting to a net decrease of 4,808 students. On the other hand, students studying during winter and shoulder months increased by 714 and 3,430 respectively over 2007.

The average length of stay for 2008 was 2.6 weeks, almost at par with the average stay for 2007. Longer stays were prevalent among students from Asia and America, with 9.8 and 6.7 weeks respectively.

In 2008, 1,340 teachers were employed with English-language specialised schools. Of these, 91.4 per cent were working on a part-time basis.