[attach id=259157 size="medium"]Joe Aquilina, managing director and founder of Clubclass English Language Schools. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli[/attach]
The English teaching industry is booming, but more airline routes and the level of spoken English are challenges Malta needs to address if it wants to keep strengthening the sector, according to the director of a 15-year-old school.
The number of students who came to Malta to study English as a foreign language last year rose by 18 per cent over 2011 to 82,000. This translates into 5.7 per cent of total foreigners visiting Malta.
The pleasant climate, safety, short commuting distances and hospitality remain attractive features.
At the same time, however, lack of direct flights from some countries and the deteriorating level of spoken English among the Maltese are sometimes a letdown, says Joe Aquilina, the managing director and founder of Clubclass English Language Schools.
Founded 15 years ago in Swieqi, Clubclass has taught English as a foreign language to 25,000 students from over 50 countries.
If the community starts to understand the lengths we go to, to bring students over, they might not look at them as a nuisance anymore
In 2009, it acquired East Finchley School of English, which was rebranded as Clubclass London when it moved to new premises in Bloomsbury in June 2012.
The school, which is accredited in Malta by Feltom, is situated within a complex housing accommodation, swimming pools, a fitness centre and a games room among other facilities. It encourages students to communicate in English outside classes as well.
“Teaching English as a foreign language is a healthy sector but there needs to be better route planning and enough seating capacity by airlines flying to Malta.
“We see a demand for English lang-uage teaching from destinations like Portugal and Romania, but there are no direct flights,” Mr Aquilina, 40, said.
“This is a recurrent demand by several sectors within the tourism industry. Maybe there could be more attractive landing charges to encourage more carriers. We have received positive feedback from agents since the introduction of flights to Latvia, for example.”
Another issue that students highlight in their feedback questionnaires is the level of English at some host families.
“Some students who are really committed to learn English like to stay with host families.
“The industry does feel that the level of English in Malta is deteriorating. Some students would tell you that in Malta, English is not a first language because everybody speaks Maltese.”
The biggest challenge, however, remains the local perception that accidents involving young people – loud music, vandalism on cars – are attributed to English language students, overlooking the fact that Malta hosts foreign young people who are not studying English.
“There should be more appreciation of the schools’ work and the money invested in the industry. Workshops abroad where we get to meet agents cost thousands of euros.
“We invest a lot to bring students to Malta, and if the community starts to understand the lengths we go to, to bring students over, they might not look at them as a nuisance anymore.
“These students spend money on accommodation and food, among others, and some stay here for months.
“They are spending money in Malta,” he said.
Mr Aquilina suggested the introduction of tourist police on beaches and in public spaces.
If Malta gained a reputation of having zero tolerance to inconvenience, but remained a place where you could still have fun, it would be more attractive, he said.