FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I book the course and accommodation with Gateway School of English (GSE)?
The procedure is quick and easy.
Step 1: Fill out the online registration form online here https://english-malta.com/booking or send an email with the course and accommodation details to [email protected]
Step 2: We will then confirm your booking within 24 hours by e-mailing you the Letter of Acceptance stating the start and finish dates of your course and accommodation. You will be requested to make a deposit of Euro 300 prior to booking or within 3 days of receiving the Letter of acceptance from us. The deposit can be paid by debit or credit card online https://gatewayschoolofenglish.flywire.com or by bank transfer. Details how to make the deposit will be sent to you in the email confirming your booking.

Can I send an enquiry without booking the course by filling in the online registration form?
Yes, you can either fill in the online registration form or send us an e-mail to [email protected].  We will get back to you within 24 hours.

Do I require a visa to travel to Malta?
If you are an EU citizen you do not need a Visa to travel to Malta.  If you are a non EU citizen please check with the Identity Malta website whether you require a Visa to travel to Malta.

If I require a Visa to travel to Malta, how do I apply?
Please visit the Identity Malta website to check where you should file your Visa application: https://identitymalta.com/where-to-apply/ 

Together with your Visa application you must present a copy of the Letter of Acceptance.  This is sent to you by the school upon confirming your enrolment as a student at GSE.

For Visa application forms: Gateway School of English GSE Malta Application for Schengen Visa

For more information about the Visa procedure while you’re studying English in Malta please CLICK HERE.

What happens when I arrive at the airport?
We always recommend that our students book our 24 hours (Monday to Sunday) airport transfers when booking their course and accommodation.  Upon arrival (at the Arrivals Hall) you will be met by the driver and/or school representative who will be holding a placard with your name, surname and the logo of our school.  The school representative will accompany you all the way from the airport to your accommodation.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport to the school.  This will cost you approximately as much as our airport transfers.  Otherwise use public transport.  Please check the address of your accommodation.  If you are staying at the school residence then the address is the same as that of the school. You can download the Gateway School of English pre-arrival information handbook for more information how to get to school from the airport: Gateway School of English Pre-Arrival Information Student Handbook English Courses in Malta

What happens if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Our drivers and airport representatives will know when your flight is delayed and will meet you at the new time of arrival.  Alternatively, you can call us on our 24 hours Emergency telephone number: +356 99225244 (no WhatsApp) or +35699229463 (also WhatsApp available)

How can I get in touch with a school representative 24 hours before my arrival and during my stay in Malta?
You can contact us on our 24 hours Emergency telephone number: +35699229463 (also WhatsApp available) OR +356 99225244 (no WhatsApp)

Will I be supported when studying at GSE?
From the time that you enroll and all throughout your stay in Malta, we will look after you as our student.  We will assist you with any problems you may have.  Remember GSE is a family-run and family owned school and we are there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If I choose school residence accommodation do I have to bring bed linen or bath towels with me?
No.  Bed linen and bath towels will be provided by us.  Bed linen is changed once a week while towels can be changed twice a week.

If I choose host family accommodation do I have to bring bed linen or bath towels with me?
No.  Bed linen and bath towels will be provided by your host family.

How can I wash my clothes while I am studying English in Malta?

At the GSE school residence we have coin/token operated launderettes. You are allowed one free wash per week so please ask one of our staff members for a token which can be used to wash your clothes (extra washes cost Euro 1 per wash) while if you’re staying with a host family the host parents will do the laundry for you at no extra charge.

Is there any check-in or check-out time for the school residence or host family accommodation?
No. You can check-in and check-out at the school residence or your host family any time seven days a week (including weekends and public holidays).

Do I have to start my English course on a Monday?
No. You can start on any day of the week from Monday to Friday depending on your day of arrival.  If you arrive at the weekend you will start your course on a Monday.  If you arrive on any day between Monday and Friday you will start on the following day. We always recommend that you will take our Online Placement Test so that we can immediately place you in class on your first day.

How will I find my way to school on my first day?
– If you are staying at the GSE school residence, the school is located right next to the residence.
– If you are staying with a host family, the host mother or father will show you the way to school on your first day.
– If you would like us to send you a map showing the exact location of our school and residence just send us an e-mail to [email protected]

What should I do on my first day of school?
On your first day of school you should be at the school premises at 8:15 am for the welcome speech by our Director of Studies.  If you haven’t done the online test you will be asked to do it after the welcome speech which would take you approximately an hour to complete although we always recommend that you will take the online test prior to starting the course. This is a short test to determine your level of English.

For more information about your first day of school please consult our Pre-Arrival Information guide HERE.

When do the lessons start and finish?
If you are taking General English, then you will start at 9:00 and finish at 12:15.  You will have a fifteen minute break between 10:30 and 10:45.  If you are taking Intensive English, then you have your conversation English classes between 13:00 and 14:30.
For Business English lessons, the time schedule is the same as for the General English classes.  That is, they start at 9:00 and finish at 12:15.

We also hold lessons in the afternoon and if you booked an afternoon General English course (or you have been placed in a group in the afternoon according to the results of your test) it will start at 15:00 and finish at 18:15.

Evening classes are held between 18:30 and 20:00 daily Monday to Friday.

Do I have lessons on public holidays?
Lessons missed on public holidays which fall on weekdays will not be recovered on other days. Public holidays in Malta:

What can I do during my free time?
Gateway School of English (GSE) offers a weekly programme of free-time activities.  You can book your activities during your stay.  For more information regarding the social programme please visit the Social Programme section on this website which can be found under the top menu called Student Life.

If you do not wish to sign up for an activity organized by the school, you can choose to go out with your friends from school either to the nearest beach in St. Julian’s (about 12 minutes walking distance from the school and the residence), for a stroll along the St. Julian’s and Sliema promenade or visit places of interest around the island.  St. Julian’s and Sliema are Malta’s main tourist resorts.

How far is the public transport network from the school?
The nearest bus stop is within 2 minutes walking distance from the school and the residence: Bus no. 120 (Stop Baltiku) runs between the school and residence to Spinola Bay St Julian’s (3 minutes by bus to the LOVE sign/monument in Spinola Bay) and Bus no. 22 (Stop Anard – 5 minutes walking distance from school) takes you to Valletta (duration of journey to Valletta is approximately 20 minutes).

What is the student nationality mix at Gateway School of English (GSE)?

Gateway School of English is well known for its excellent mix of nationalities. We have taught many students from all over the world since 2002. The majority of our students (60%) come from Western, Central & Eastern Europe, namely from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan. A smaller percentage (20%) come from South America, mainly Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. An even smaller percentage also come from Asia (10%), mostly Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China, as well as from the Middle East (5%), mainly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. A few others (5%), come from North African states such as Libya, Algeria and Morocco.

How do I get to the airport on my day of departure?
If you book our 24/7 assisted airport transfers you will be picked up from your accommodation 2.5 hours before your time of departure.  An airport transfers voucher is normally sent upon booking the transfers with us and when you send us your full flight details. The airport transfers voucher has the pick up time and your flight number. We always recommend that you will confirm your flight details and pick up time with one of our staff members in the school’s office on your last day of school .

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to drop us a line: [email protected]  We will be very happy to assist you!