Clubclass English Language Schools is celebrating its 15th year of operations this year.
“The authorities and the country as a whole need to appreciate the ever-increasing importance our English language teaching to foreign students industry offers to Malta’s overall tourism product,” said Clubclass English Language Schools managing director and founder Joe Aquilina.
Founded in January 1999, Clubclass English Language Schools has, to date, taught English as a foreign language to over 25,000 students from over 50 countries. In 2009, Clubclass acquired East Finchley School of English, which was rebranded as Clubclass London when it moved to new premises in Bloomsbury in June 2012.
“Ours is a healthy sector. In fact, around 85,000 people are choosing Malta as their preferred destination for EFL. However, as prominent players in this sector, we still feel that there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed if the country wants to keep strengthening this industry,” Mr Aquilina said.
“Many countries have now invested in teaching basic English skills and therefore, our product needs to be more targeted and specific, with ESP (English for Specific Purposes) packages and the infrastructure too needing a number of improvements. Better route planning and ensuring enough seating capacity by airlines flying to Malta will also help the further growth of the industry,” he added.
Clubclass is not just another local English language teaching institution. It is a residential school. The majority of students, aged 18 to 35, reside at the school premises.
“This more mature student base together with a professional approach and commitment to a quality service have defined our success over the past 15 years,” said Mr Aquilina.
Clubclass, which is accredited in Malta by Feltom and by the British Council, English UK and ISI in London, is in the process of applying for accreditation by Eaquals (Evaluation and Accreditation of Quality in Language Services) to further strengthen its brand on the international front.
The school is also strengthening its Business English courses held in the school’s new business centre and has introduced state-of-the-art technology to give students the best possible learning experience.
This includes an e-Learning portal to provide a customised online learning and information system as well as an e-Reception facility that allows students to get to know what’s happening at Clubclass, look up schoolmates, view or add pictures to the school’s photo album and complete administrative forms and applications.
“It’s bit like having Facebook, but limited to the school’s students,” Mr Aquilina pointed out.