The number of students who came to Malta to learn English was 20 per cent higher than last year, Education Minister Louis Galea said while inaugurating the new Education First (EF) premises in St Julian’s.
EF Education was founded in Sweden in 1965 by a young entrepreneur named Bertil Hult.
The concept was straightforward: take local high school students to England to learn English. Four decades later, Education First is the world’s largest private education company, with a group of 14 subsidiaries and non-profit organisations centred around language learning, educational travel, cultural exchange and academic programmes.
EF is now expanding its base in Malta as the next step in its continuous drive to provide service to a large number of students who choose to travel to Malta to study English and discover more about the country’s history and culture. The new premises are situated within the Mayfair Complex in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s, in one of Malta’s best family entertainment and shopping areas. The light-filled reception floor overlooks a popular avenue running down to the sandy beach in St George’s Bay.
The school is equipped with wireless internet accessible throughout the building and four computer labs which enable the students to have continuous access to the unique EFEKTA language-learning online system. EF students also benefit from an EF-developed, complete academic programme, a full range of school-organised activities, and excellent support facilities which include a library, a study room, a DVD room, a cafeteria, a book shop, a souvenir outlet and sun terraces. Special attention has been given to the staff areas, which include a resource room.
“It is indeed a special moment for EF in Malta,” commented Roger Bugeja, EF Malta school director. “Our presence in Malta has been a success for the past 15 years and we continue working on these achievements. Our qualified staff is trained to deliver quality educational programmes for the many students who visit us all year round for both short and long stays”
The official launch of the new premises coincides with the EF Worldwide Meeting. This annual event on EF’s global calendar brings together EF top management team and school directors from more than 15 countries. Throughout their stay, the meeting delegates have an opportunity to experience Malta. The EF school directors meeting is being supported by the Malta Tourism Authority.