These courses have proved to be so popular that classes were increased to offer courses for students from Year 2 to Matsec level.

Course director Joe D. Hamilton, was last year awarded the MBE by HM the Queen for his efforts in promoting the English language locally and for furthering closer Anglo-Maltese relations. Mr Hamilton, whose childhood was spent in Gozo during the war years, decided to give Gozitan students, both primary and secondary, the opportunity to benefit from these language courses by conducting them in Gozo.

For this reason, Gozitan students have for the past 11 years been attending these courses in Victoria, as this was the most convenient venue for them and their parents.

This summer, as in previous years, the Royal British Legion courses will be held at the Ninu Cremona Lyceum complex in Victoria, always on Monday mornings, as from 12 July.

It should be pointed out that in Gozo even the youngest pupils, ie those who have just completed kindergarten, are being catered for, with specially designed courses at year 1 level. Many of these students continue the courses by attending the winter ones after school hours.

These courses are held thanks to the British Council and the British High Commission, and a creative writing competition for the summer students is sponsored by British Airways. Support is also given by the Department of Education.

The courses in Gozo are possible thanks to the constant support of Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, who has instituted the minister’s prize for the best primary and secondary school student attending these courses.

All top students are presented with their prizes by the Gozo Minister, the British High Commissioner and the British Council director during the prize-giving ceremony at the Gozo Ministry’s Hall, Victoria.

With regard to the courses held in Gozo, special thanks go to assistant Director of Education, Gozo, Carmel Attard and Ninu Cremona Lyceum complex headmaster Fr Paul Bezzina, who enable the Royal British Legion to make use of the school premises and facilities for the benefit of Gozitan students attending the courses during the year.

The courses, spread over eight weeks, include creative writing, comprehension, vocabulary enrichment and grammar. As from this year, the courses will include listening comprehension at most levels apart from those already being held for Matsec students.

At the end of the summer course all the students will be given a certificate (Participation, Pass, Merit or Distinction) based on a continuous assessment and not on a final exam, to relieve students of unnecessary stress. Every student participating in the courses is also given a book-token since they all put in a lot of effort and time and this is rewarded; it also encourages them to read.

It is to be noted that no text books are used, as students are given a hand-out each week to work on.

Students are encouraged to read and a recommended reading list is also provided.

Senior students are expected to bring a dictionary with them – this is to make them aware of its importance as an educational tool.

For more information, and to register for the summer courses in Malta and in Gozo, please telephone 2133-8780, 2164-1486 or 2156-3420.