| Inhabited since around 5200 B.C, Malta's rich, vibrant | | | | For many years, this little island in the Mediterranean |
| history and culture have ensured its survival, prosperity, | | | | has been attracting those wishing to learn English, as |
| and lure throughout Europe's history. Today, this jewel | | | | Malta's education system and enterprising nature has |
| in the Mediterranean has entered a new chapter, with | | | | meant that it has been able to offer an excellent |
| its acceptance into the E.U, and the island's eagerness | | | | academic level, whilst occupying and entertaining |
| for new challenges. | | | | generations of visitors with its wonderful natural |
| Malta's past is one so richly woven with visitors, | | | | resources. As a mainly bi, or even tri-lingual culture, |
| invaders, merchants, and pilgrims that the idea of | | | | Malta's inhabitants know communication better than |
| international communication is one of the founding skills | | | | most, and while not all native English speakers, the |
| upon which this island has prospered for many | | | | Maltese have grown up with all the subtleties and |
| thousands of years. From the great old cities, built by | | | | nuances of the language needed to produce first class |
| the European knights of the order of St. John, to Mdina, | | | | teachers. |
| 'the silent city' with its roots in North African culture, | | | | As tourism and education have come together, |
| Malta has held on to the very best of the many other | | | | language schools have developed across the island, |
| nationalities it has met along the way. With the Neolithic | | | | offering courses in world-recognised certificates, as |
| temples dating back to 3600 B.C, this is an island which | | | | well as targeted language courses such as medical, or |
| has always served as a very special meeting place | | | | business English. Many of the schools occupy prime |
| for different cultures - the Phoenicians naming the | | | | locations in and around the St.Julian's area, one of |
| island 'Malat' meaning 'Safe haven' around 1000BC. | | | | Malta's centres for restaurants and nightlife, and some |
| The island's ties with English began in the late 1700's | | | | schools also organise tours and excursions to the |
| and were cemented in 1800 when Malta voluntarily | | | | more remote sights the island has to offer. Malta's |
| became part of the British Empire. At the time, Italian | | | | status as a first class language-holiday destination has |
| was the language spoken by Malta's elite, and was the | | | | meant that some of the big named international |
| official written language of Malta, although Maltese, a | | | | schools have set up shop, as well as independent |
| distinct language with Semitic roots was widely | | | | schools such as Elanguest Ltd who have achieved |
| spoken. As British rule carried on through the years, | | | | some of the highest Cambridge First Certificate pass |
| English became more widely used, until Maltese and | | | | marks in the world. |
| English were declared the sole official languages of | | | | The future for English language schools in Malta is tied |
| Malta in 1934, at which time only about 15% of the | | | | to the nation's ability to change and adapt to new |
| population could speak Italian. Since gaining it's | | | | challenges whilst keeping the best of what makes this |
| independence from Britain in 1964, Malta, as a nation, | | | | island so special; its traditions, culture, hard-working |
| has prospered, and renewed itself in the same way it | | | | nature, and simple beauty, and it's for these reasons |
| always has; it's location, climate, and national character | | | | that people will be travelling to Malta to learn English for |
| attracting people from all over the world for business | | | | many years to come. |
| and leisure. | | | | |