• Get out and mingle

The biggest mistake you can make when you’re here is to spend too much time on your own. Sure, everyone needs some alone time and it’s important to give ourselves that quiet, private time so we can process all the new information we’re getting, both academically and as visitors exploring a new country, but the one thing that will help the most when your goal is to learn English and improve your language skills is … to use it!

When you are out and about with other students or even with locals or any people you meet in Malta, your brain is getting a workout* in English since you are doing all of the below and much more more:

• looking around for the right words from the vocabulary you know,
• putting sentences together using the correct structure and tense,
• understanding what you are hearing and inferring the meaning of the words you don’t know, etc.

• Go on school excursions

There is a lot to see when you are here, and there are many ways you can explore our unique islands, but the easiest and most cost-effective* way is by booking organised activities with the school as all the hassle of transport and getting around will be taken care of. Moreover, we know the places worth visiting and how much time it is necessary to spend there, and our group leaders do their utmost to make each trip worth remembering.

• Don’t complicate things – be patient

While it’s good to be ambitious and aim high* in your language learning goals, especially in today’s fast-paced, success-driven world, you should also make sure not to go to the extreme of being too hard on yourself* when you find yourself making mistakes, or if you sometimes feel that you’re not learning quickly enough. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Remember, there’s no easy shortcut to learning a language and it isn’t a subject you can learn by simply memorising a set of facts or rules. Rather, it is like a muscle that you build with practice. Therefore, it is better to have small specific goals which you can measure, like:

• I want to learn how to speak about my past experiences and plans for the future;
• I want to understand the main points when I listen to a news bulletin;
• I want to be able to ask relevant questions when I hear about something that interests me and want to know more;
• I want to read articles on topics I find interesting and be able to understand words I don’t know from the general meaning of the text;
• I want to write well-expressed concise tweets / status updates about myself / my brand / my products to upload on social media;
• I want to express myself clearly whenever I share an opinion or emotion;

instead of big general goals which:

1. are too difficult to measure,
2. leave you feeling like you haven’t achieved them, and
3. keep you focused on what you don’t know,

for example:

• I want to be able to read English novels;
• I want to understand when I listen to the radio;
• I want to speak fluently in English.

Baby steps will get you there in the end, so don’t rush the process, enjoy the journey.

Which brings us to the next point:

• Celebrate the little successes

Documenting the things you learn and recording examples of how you used them successfully in day-to-day situations and interactions (for example by keeping a notebook, journal or diary) can help you measure your learning and give you a real sense of your progress. This also puts you, as the student, in a position of control over your own learning, as it makes you more aware of where you stand and can even help you identify what you need to improve, which you can then discuss with your teacher.

Most importantly, it is an exercise which should serve to motivate you as it keeps you focused on the positive, that is, on what you are learning and how much you know, not on what you don’t know. This will automatically help you build momentum* as you go forward on your language learning journey, giving you faster results while also making you feel better in the process. In a nutshell*: do not underestimate the little achievements.

• Trust the experts

You have travelled to a different country and enrolled at a school because you want to learn or improve on what you already know. Therefore you should trust our judgement as regards your level and your progress, but of course it is still important to approach us if there is anything you are concerned about.

Be sure to follow the advice your teachers give you and ask questions if you have specific targets or concerns – don’t keep them to yourself. Now is your chance to discuss and meet your academic needs so make the most of it while you’re here and don’t waste the opportunity, as it will be too late once you go back home.

You can ask a teacher or other member of the academic staff to give you recommendations on books, online subscriptions, websites and other resources that can help you. Even if you just want to chat about places to visit and things to do, there is always a staff member who can help.

• Respect – everyone, everything, everywhere

This is your home away from home, which means that you deserve to feel comfortable throughout your stay and to receive fair treatment and a good service. However it also means that, in return, you should treat Malta and everyone you meet here (Maltese or foreign) with the same respect that you treat your home country and fellow nationals, whether at school, out in the street or at your accommodation.

Respect goes both ways. Respect to each other, to our friends, to strangers, to the people we pay for a service, to our surroundings, and even to the day-to-day objects we use, especially if we share them with others, such as any shared facilities at our accommodation.

Everyone stands to gain* from such a diverse setting with people from so many different cultures and walks of life, and this could be the opportunity of a lifetime for you to learn far more than just English and to expose yourself to so much that is new – in language, culture and life. But this can only work as long as there is respect.

Smile, be polite, tolerate others’ differences, be mindful with how you use things in class and at your accommodation, and follow the rules, as these are there to safeguard* your rights as well as others’ (e.g. keeping noise levels down at night, being punctual for lessons and excursions, not littering etc.).

• Think positive

Have a sense of humour, laugh at your mistakes, help others see the funny side of theirs, go with the flow, take things in your stride, don’t take yourself too seriously (even if you are rightfully serious about your goals and success, of course), and enjoy the ride. What’s the use of fretting* over little things which are not worth spoiling your experience?

Yes, of course you must take action and do what you can to improve a situation if something is not right, and that’s what we are here for, to help. But a lot counts on* how you react to a situation, and a solution can be found much more easily with the right attitude, and if there is cooperation on all sides and a will* to make things work out.

So don’t add to the stress and make unnecessary difficulties, because there is definitely more which is positive, and negativity is a waste of time as it can never make things better. Always look on the bright side!*

Now the ball is in your court.* Do you want to have the best possible time in Malta? You choose.

*Glossary:

• getting a workout – getting exercise
• cost-effective – financially worthwhile
• aim high – set high standards
• being too hard on yourself – being self-critical; criticising yourself too much; being negative about yourself
• build momentum – become more productive, efficient and effective
• In a nutshell – To summarise
• stands to gain – is in a position from which they can have an advantage;
• safeguard – protect
• fretting – stressing out, feeling anxious
• counts on – depends on
• a will – determination, intention, desire, wish
• look on the bright side – be optimistic; see the good in a difficult situation
• the ball is in your court – it’s your responsibility; it’s up to you; the decision is in your hands

The post Top 7 Tips to Keep Positive while learning English appeared first on Gateway School of English.

Malta has a growing reputation as an excellent English language learning destination, mainly thanks to the fact that English is an official language and the Maltese islands were a British colony for almost 200 years until Malta got its independence from Britain in 1964.

Over the years, the local English language teaching industry has evolved from a small ‘mostly summer’ operation into an all year round centre of activity with high academic standards of English teaching, seeing the establishment of many new English language schools and the growth of other existing schools which have continued to enlarge their operation. The language student source markets have also increased over the years with traditional markets such as Italy, Germany, France, Austria and Spain still making it to the top of the list while students from other newer markets such as Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America rapidly increasing in numbers.

Nowadays Malta attracts not only a diverse mix of nationalities and cultures from different continents but also a wide range of ages, from the very young children of 4 to 12 years old (referred to as young learners), to the more mature students aged 50 and over.

Initially, in the inception years of the industry, Malta was mostly popular with teenagers as a ‘summer fun’ destination combining English learning with a Mediterranean holiday. However, over the course of the past ten years Malta remains busy year-round, targeting various age groups across the spectrum throughout the seasons. The low season months in winter  are particularly popular among adults of all ages, including families travelling with children, while the Easter holiday period and summer are still the obvious choice for teenagers and junior groups.

With so many English language schools on the island, students planning an English language learning trip to Malta are spoilt for choice. However the wide choice available to students may sometimes present a challenge when it comes to deciding on the perfect language school to suit one’s needs.

With 17 years of experience at GSE, the ongoing queries and requests made by our students, and our commitment to improving our service and meeting students’ expectations thanks to our dedicated staff, we have come up with 7 tips to help you decide on the right school if a language trip to Malta is on your bucket list this year!

• First off, you need to think about the location and type of environment which best suits you. Do you want to be in a quiet residential area but still close to the vibrant town of St Julian’s or San Gwann, close to all the amenities but comfortably away from the noise and pollution to enjoy some peace and quiet during your time in class and bed? If so, Gateway School of English GSE is the perfect place to be. We have large open spaces around the school and residence and we are located only 12 minutes’ walk from St Julian’s Bay and Spinola Park (which has a Business/Shopping Centre, Supermarket and the famous French cafe in St Julian’s called Manouche and The Carob Tree Food Court). Even though our school and adjacent residence are located in a clean and peaceful environment, which is ideal for those students wishing to relax and study, a 5-minute bus ride or 15-minute walk from the school/residence will get you right in the heart of the entertainment area of Paceville.  At GSE we always encourage students to venture outside the school campus, and we emphasise the importance of exploring their surroundings, ideally with new friends from foreign countries who they meet in class so they can practise their English while discovering our beautiful islands together. So do ask us for recommendations on public transport, tourist attractions, eateries, shopping centres, beaches, nightlife areas etc, if you want to get a true flavour of the country from locals! Spinola Bay is a hub for buses and you can take any direct bus to the North/NorthWest of the island (mostly to go to popular sandy beaches such as Mellieha Bay, Paradise Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden Bay or to take the ferry to Gozo – Malta’s lovely sister island), or to the cities in the Harbour area: Sliema, Gzira, Valletta, Floriana and Msida. The capital city of Valletta is only 20 to 30 minutes away from Spinola Bay by bus. Buses from the Spinola Bay area, apart from being direct, are also very frequent since it is a tourist centre..
• The school atmosphere is just as important as the location. Would you prefer a smaller setting where you will be given individual attention and the school staff will know you by your name rather, than a bigger school where you’ll only be a number – just one out of 300 students? GSE is considered a small to medium-sized school with a capacity of 120 students, and there is always a minimum number of 50 students throughout the year. So rest assured you’ll make a lot of new friends at GSE, whenever you decide to come!
• Are you a sociable kind of person who likes to go out with classmates/friends after lessons and visit places of interest, or simply go fo a coffee to chat? Our suggestion is to choose a school which: (a) has a good mix of nationalities — at GSE this is a guarantee in every classroom at any time of the year which gives you maximum opportunity to practise your English; (b) provides the ideal setting and opportunities to mix with other students — (GSE organises afternoon, evening and weekend activities which you can sign up for during your stay in Malta)

• Would you like to stay in a school’s very own accommodation with other students and as close to the school as possible, or maybe with a Maltese host family? GSE’s on-campus accommodation is located right next to the school and is available on B&B basis (breakfast included), and we now we also have a brand new communal kitchen where students can cook their own meals, meet other students over lunch and dinner, and a launderette where they can wash their clothes. It’s all self-contained! Moreover, GSE is located in one of the best areas for host families and 90% of our host families are not more than 15 minutes’ walk from school. In fact, our neighbourhood is used by most of the English language schools in St Julian’s and Sliema to host students with families in our area as it is a very family-friendly, so much so that San Gwann has the highest number of host families in Malta. GSE is located right in between San Gwann and St Julian’s, so we can truly offer you the best of both worlds.
• Next think carefully about the study course which best suits your needs. Your decision may depend on why you want to learn English in the first place. Are you planning on studying in another country in the future? Then there are special courses to help, such as English for Academic Purposes and English examination courses or Exam Preparation Courses. Or maybe your job requires frequent communication (written or spoken) and business networking with people from another country? In that case you will need a Business English course (for which we have very good price offers at GSE!)…or a Professional English course such as Medical English if you work in the Medical field, Aviation English for air traffic controllers, cabin crew or pilots, Legal English if you’re a lawyer or a notary, English for Engineering and many other ESP courses. We have dedicated and experienced teachers who can go the extra mile when preparing lessons with topics related to your profession so that you can improve your spoken and written English as well as deliver presentations at your workplace or conferences/seminars to an international audience, if that is what you need. At GSE we also offer family programmes for parents wishing to travel with their children. Parents are free to take an adult course or simply accompany their children without taking a course while the children have classes at GSE. Malta is the perfect destination for families. We also offer teacher training courses funded by Erasmus plus. For the more mature students we have specific 50 plus programmes that are held 4 times a year during special cultural events taking place in Malta. Check out our 50 plus programmes here.
•  Or do you just want to make new friends and brush up on your English while you travel and explore the Maltese islands? Then choose a General or Intensive English Course , which is a combination of ‘all-purpose’ English and conversation classes targeting the skill of speaking, which is essential for day-to-day use of the language. What’s more and in November, December, January and February GSE offers a free upgrade to Intensive English for those students booking General English — so you pay for 20 lessons and get 30 lessons, meaning 10 extra FREE lessons per week!) During General English classes, if you study at an English language school in an English speaking destination such as Malta, the teacher covers the 4 language skills, namely speaking, listening, reading and writing, while including  language systems such as vocabulary, practical grammar and pronunciation. During conversation classes (as part of the Intensive course), the lessons focus on speaking and involve various interesting topics of conversation to stimulate discussion among students and get them to feel more comfortable using the language.  At GSE we use the communicative approach to language teaching where the emphasis is on speaking, because from our experience we are aware that a lot of students are used to more traditional teaching methods and simply know a bunch of grammar rules but still cannot apply them and express themselves effectively.  So in all our General English classes we encourage ongoing student-student interaction so that students can practise their speaking. The less teacher talk time the better!
• Choose a school that has a great mix of nationalities in its classrooms.  This is very important as an international environment with a lot of students from different countries enhances your English language experience and encourages you to speak English all the time. At GSE we have an excellent mix of nationalities and a minimum of 15 different nationalities at any given time. We can guarantee that you will make friends from all over the world! At the moment (as at January 2019), we have students from Japan, Turkey, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Belarus, Spain, Argentina, France, Peru, Chile, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

Some other tips to consider…

Consider that language schools have different sized classes. Generally speaking, the smaller the class (the fewer people are in it) the better, because the teacher will have more time to dedicate to you personally. Positive and motivating teachers are a must in any good language school. At GSE maximum group size is 12 per class and average group size in the low season months is 8 to 10 per class. All our teachers create a pleasant atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

How long do you want the course to last? This may depend on how much time you can get off work or school and how much the course costs. It is important that you decide on your length of stay and the duration of your course. Set a target start date and finish date. At GSE we have students who only book a one-week course and others who stay with us for anywhere between 24 weeks and 52 weeks. Prices depend on the duration of the course and, in case of accommodation, on the length of stay. A 24-week course of General English at GSE costs only Euro 75 per week.

If you want to know what a school is really like, it’s best to ask the students who have already studied there. Check out testimonials from the students on the school’s website. Check out Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube , Linkedin and other social media sites as this is where you can get a snapshot of what a school is like. At GSE we maintain our social media sites regularly and upload weekly photos showing students, classrooms and free time activities. We believe that social media platforms are just as important as the school itself and should be kept alive with real photos and videos showing life at Gateway School of English GSE. This helps students make an informed decision prior to booking with us. As such, they will know what to expect when they choose to study with us.

If you want to participate in a particular sport or activity during your trip, such as swimming, jet skiing or horse riding, then make sure that you are travelling at the right time of year for that particular activity. Do not forget, winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the opposite to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and Malta has mild, pleasant winters and very hot summers. In fact, Malta has a season for almost everyone, depending on personal preference.

Once you’re done with your choice, you’re good to go. Send an email to the school with any questions you might have…Fill out your application form…Book your flight tickets and, finally, pack your suitcase.  GSE Admin staff is very efficient, friendly and reliable. We always answer emails from our students prior to booking quickly as possible, giving clear and accurate information for students to make the right choice. Our Pre-Arrival information guide is also very comprehensive and helps students prepare for their stay at GSE. In this guide students can find the directions  to our school, the timetable for the first day of school, a link to the online placement test, general information about Malta and other useful advice.

We hope these tips will help you choose the right school for you and we wish you a SUCCESSFUL English language travel experience, wherever, whenever. Whatever your choice of school or destination, a language trip in a foreign country will be a lifetime experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life. So happy choosing!

The post English Courses and 7 tips to choose an English School in Malta appeared first on Gateway School of English.

This is one good example of how our students always have the opportunity to practise their functional language skills in an engaging classroom set-up, and then put them into immediate use in real-world situations right outside the class, in the native speaking environment that Malta provides. Malta truly does have it all when it comes to effective learning methods coupled with full English immersion, as class work can always be followed up with real-life interaction which enables students to improve their language abilities in a shorter time and in an international environment.

Malta’s ELT & ESL roots can be traced back to 1963 when the country hosted its first cohort of international students on an English language holiday. Since then the English language teaching industry has continued to grow and evolve, and nowadays Malta attracts approximately 80,000 students annually, according to the latest figures released by Malta’s National Statistics Office (NSO). The latest statistics and reports can be found in the articles published on ICEF Monitor & the Study Travel Magazine, which are the two most important sources of market intelligence and news on the language travel industry.

The vast majority of Malta’s ESL students come from the European region with Italians, French, Spanish, Austrians, Swiss topping the list. Other source markets include Eastern European countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia & Turkey. Over the last few years Malta has also seen a rise in the number of students originating from Asian countries namely Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China as well as South American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela. This balanced mix of nationalities is certainly a contributing factor to Malta’s increasing success as an ELT destination for ESL students. At Gateway School of English we always ensure a thorough mix of nationalities, both in our classrooms as well as outside the school (in accommodation and leisure activities), as this enhances our students’ English language learning experience in Malta.

Malta can proudly boast high-level professionalism in English language teaching in an industry that is well structured and monitored, and is practically the only language learning destination in the world with legislation which ensures that every school maintains a national quality standard in various aspects of tuition and organisation management. It is the ELT Council which oversees that all English language schools in Malta adhere to the quality standards stipulated by law, and organises regular yearly visits to all schools, including member schools of the association of teaching organisations in Malta: FELTOM. All this has resulted in rapid growth for the industry.

The beauty of the Maltese islands is also a major driving force behind Malta’s ELT / ESL success story. Malta is very rich in history and culture and enjoys numerous historical sites such as the famous prehistoric temples,  which were places of worship for the Neolithic people and date back thousands of years BC. Valletta, Malta’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage site built during the times of the Knights of the Order of St John and founded by Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, is only a few kilometres away from Mdina, the old capital city whose origins date back to the 8th century BC and is known as the Silent City. Moreover, the close proximity between such historical attractions enables students to maximize their free time in Malta and visit various places in a short time. Annual cultural events which take place in Malta also attract a lot of people from all over the world, making Malta a multicultural hub, perfect for foreign students learning English in Malta. Not to mention the excellent climate with sunshine all year round which allows visitors to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. All these factors undoubtedly enhance a student’s English language learning experience in Malta.

The Azure Window which collapsed during a storm last winter drew many tears, especially from previous visitors who had admired the site while in Malta and fell in love with its natural beauty. But as CNN put it, Malta is so rich in natural attractions that even though Malta still mourns the loss of the Azure Window, visitors remain spoilt for choice in a place which has many more alternatives to offer. Thank goodness for that!

The post ESL English language learning in Malta appeared first on Gateway School of English.

This month we welcomed many students from Japan, France, Germany, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Taiwan, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Turkey & Russia. This diverse mix of nationalities and cultures has helped our students, not only to practise their English among international friends, but also to learn more about the world’s cultures and traditions, creating a unique international experience.

We have also welcomed groups of juniors from a Lycee in Paris, France who were with us on an English language Junior programme for a week in Malta. The French students had a jam-packed social programme of activities where they had the opportunity to study in the morning and visit some of Malta’s most popular historical attractions in the afternoon.

Last but not least we’ve had great weather in Malta, with plenty of Mediterranean sunshine. We organisd a lot of outdoor activities for our students. Below are some photos of our last Three Cities by night excursion. The Three Cities region, also known as the Cottonera, is a beautiful historical area across the Grand Harbour from Valletta and is even older then the capital city itself which was built in 1566.  Vittoriosa (Birgu in Maltese) and Senglea (Isla in Maltese) are two historical cities which were mostly built during the times of the Knights of the Order of St John. Whether you’re interested in history or simply like to admire the modern super yachts in the Grand Harbour yacht marina, you will be spoilt for choice as the surrounding harbour views from both cities are breathtaking.

We are now eagerly looking forward to welcoming more and more English language students to Malta from all over the world this spring.  And by the way don’t forget to use our official hashtag #myGatewayToSuccess when posting photos of your English language experience in Malta!  We would love to see them on our social media sites Instagram  Twitter & Facebook

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więcej informacji: https://english-malta.com/languages/kursy-jezyka-angielskiego-na-malcie-z-najlepsza-szkola-jezyka-angielskiego-dla-doroslych-rodzin-nastolatkow/

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