Using English in Malta

In the Southern Mediterranean, just 93 Kilometresa bus, to going to the cinema, English is used
South of Sicily and 288 Kilometres North of Tunisia, iseverywhere, so students can take the day's lessons
the little island of Malta, where cultures have beenout into the real world, and gain confidence in the use
meeting for thousands of years, and communication isof spoken English while enjoying time with friends, and
part of the very bedrock of the island's character.visiting a new country. The use of 'host-families'; where
Acceding to the British Empire in 1800, and gaining itsstudents stay with a local Maltese family during their
independence in 1963, Malta's ties with the Englishcourse, provides another setting for communication in
language are very strong, with most children grow upEnglish, and further challenges the students to use
speaking both English and Maltese. As one of the twowhat they have learned.
official languages of Malta (together with Maltese),Students from a wide variety of countries visit Malta
English is used within the judiciary, medicine, and cultureto learn English; once upon a time, the island took
of Malta to such an extent that it has fast becomestudents mainly from Europe, however, these days,
one of Europe's premier language destinations, asthe Far East and South America are fast becoming a
students have flocked to combine education with themajor new source of visitors, and many other new
beautiful natural sights the island has to offer.countries are also sending students Malta's way. With
The education system in Malta is first class, andthe island joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has
languages are part of fabric of the nation's identity. It'ssignalled its desire to increase upon its commercial ties
this academic quality, combined with the island's culturewith Europe, and has invested heavily in IT
of hard-work, which has meant that the languageinfrastructure, as well as regeneration of its towns and
schools which have developed in Malta give a serviceheritage sites. Increasingly, Malta also plays host to
which has gained the island scholastic recognitionpan-European, and global political and commercial
throughout Europe and the world as a whole.meetings where once again, Malta's location, and
Independent schools such as Elanguest Ltd have beenreputation as a communications hub have made it the
able to boast some of the world's highest Cambridgeperfect choice for businesses and political leaderships.
First Certificate pass marks for EFL teaching, and areWithout the use of English (the lingua franca of
just one of Malta's independent schools catering forbusiness and politics) as an official language, this would
the world's growing demand for English languagenot have been possible, and it's this skill at adaptation
training.and incorporation of new talents which has kept Malta
Due to the widespread use of English in Malta,thriving for thousands of years, and will ensure its
students quickly find the opportunity to practise theirsurvival and growth in future.
new language skills; from buying a sandwich to taking