The Spanish government this year distributed 20,000 fewer scholarships to its university students to study English in a foreign country but Malta's share is expected to remain unchanged or possibly increased.

This was confirmed by the president of the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations (Feltom), Alex Fenech.

Over the past three years, Malta, the UK and Ireland together hosted over 45,000 Spanish University students for an average stay of three weeks between July and November. These student visits are part of the Spanish Education Ministry's project to send up to a quarter of its University population to improve their English by providing scholarships, worth about €1,800 for every student.

Inclusion in the list of countries scholarship students may visit was not automatic but Malta featured in it, as was the case in previous years.

Out of the 45,000 scholarships granted in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Malta attracted 12,000, 10,000 and 9,000 students respectively. This year, the country could improve slightly on last year's results, attracting up to 10,000 students for the three-week period.

Over the past years, the presence of Spanish students has been felt by the authorities and by residents in particular areas who complained about students' misbehaviour and havoc on the streets, especially during the night when the students make their way home after an evening in Paceville.

Mr Fenech said Feltom was working closely with the police, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Spanish Embassy in Malta to minimise the impact visiting students had on residents. "It is important all students understand and respect Maltese laws and customs so as not to inconvenience the community," he said.

He said Feltom met the Spanish authorities in Malta to discuss how best to assist and provide information to students to make their stay enjoyable and successful.

There had also been talks with the police to increase street patrols in areas frequented by foreign visitors, particularly during the summer months. "The presence of the police is a useful deterrent to noisy or anti-social behaviour in specific residential areas," Mr Fenech said.