The chief executive officer of EC Group of English Language schools, Andrew Mangion, has been elected the president of the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations – Malta (FELTOM).

Also elected to serve on the executive board at FELTOMs AGM on Wednesday, 30 January, were John Dimech (LAL), Louis Grech (NSTS), Greg Burrell (Sprachcaffe), Paul Fenech (Magister Academy) and Maurice Rizzo (EC).

Mr. Mangion has been at the forefront of the language travel industry in Malta as CEO and managing director of EC since 1997, and a board member and vice president of Feltom from 2001 – 2005. Mr. Mangion is also CEO and company director of Chiswick House School and St Martin’s College, and chapter chairman for the Young Presidents Organisation in Malta (YPO).

Mr. Mangion said the key areas they would focus on in 2008 were: the continued development of the FELTOM accreditation scheme, which will help maintain and improve standards; the expansion of FELTOM membership within the Maltese islands; the improvement of standards through working closely with the monitoring board; the consolidation and further development of the fast growing EFL (English as a Foreign Language) industry in conjunction with the Tourism Authority and other stakeholders; the expansion of the accommodation supply in Malta for English language students, and the need to work closely with local authorities on areas such as visas and industry regulation.

FELTOM was established in 1989 in order to “set, improve, and ensure the maintenance of standards in all aspects of English language stays in Malta”. Seventeen of the 49 licensed English language schools in Malta are members of FELTOM, representing approximately 70 per cent of the total number of foreign students enrolling for English language courses at all licensed EFL schools in Malta.

Isabelle Pace Warrington, appointed in October 2007 as executive officer of FELTOM, remains responsible for all administrative aspects, the management of a number of FELTOM’s projects, the implementation of strategies, the establishment of sectoral strategies, membership matters and communication, and organisation of activities, and is the main contact person for operations and services.