Learning English with BELS – Meet the BELS Team

As Owner and CEO, Rebecca is proud to call BELS her own. Having worked in English language education for over 25 years, she’s experienced almost every side of the business – from teaching and academic management to international business development. Today, she leads BELS with a hands-on approach, believing that an exceptional student experience comes from combining outstanding teaching with genuine care and support. You’ll often find her visiting both schools, chatting with students and staff, and looking for new ways to make BELS even better. Outside work, she enjoys diving, reading, travelling and, most of all, spending time with her family.

With over 20 years of experience in English language education, Ian has worn many hats – from teacher and trainer to Director of Studies and Operations Manager. Today, as Head of Business Development, he leads BELS’ global network of agency partnerships, working closely with education agents around the world to build lasting relationships and help students find the right English course. Friendly, approachable and always happy to share his expertise, Ian is a proud father who loves football, travelling and spending quality time with his family.

Having been part of the BELS team for over 10 years, Arianna knows the school inside out. From starting as a teacher to leading the academic team as Director of Studies at BELS Malta, she’s passionate about helping students and teachers get the very best from their BELS experience. Away from work, she’s a professional dancer, a keen traveller with a love for culture and adventure, and enjoys discovering new music and live concerts.

Having been part of the BELS team for over 10 years, Daniel has developed a deep understanding of what makes a great student experience. As School Operations Manager, he works behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, helping students feel supported from arrival to departure. Daniel loves travelling and discovering new cultures, and outside work you’ll often find him keeping active, following sports or enjoying anything car-related. Always eager to learn, he’s passionate about making every student’s time at BELS as enjoyable as possible.

After spending 15 years living and working in Malta, Ryan recently returned to his home island of Gozo, bringing with him a wealth of experience in customer service and operations. As School Operations Manager at BELS Gozo, he’s passionate about making sure every student enjoys a smooth, memorable stay, paying close attention to the little details that make a holiday truly special. Outside work, Ryan enjoys swimming, making the most of island life, and catching up with friends over a beer in the village square.

As Director of Studies at BELS Gozo, Claudia leads the academic team with over 20 years of experience in English language teaching. She is passionate about supporting both teachers and students, creating a welcoming learning environment where everyone can thrive. With a background in Art, Claudia brings creativity and fresh thinking to education, believing that learning should be engaging, meaningful and enjoyable. Outside BELS, she enjoys travelling, painting, dancing and cooking for family and friends. An animal lover with two dogs, she’s happiest when spending time with her loved ones or exploring new places.

Andrea joined BELS in 2016 as a part-time English teacher while completing her university studies. After graduating, she transitioned into marketing, where she now leads marketing, digital sales and branding across BELS Language Schools. Her teaching background gives her a unique understanding of the student journey, while her passion for languages, culture, media, psychology and all things digital helps shape how BELS connects with students around the world. When she’s not at work, Andrea loves travelling, reading, long walks with her dog, and any opportunity to spend time with animals or enjoy unique wildlife experiences.

Originally from Peru, Aimee fell in love with Malta on her first visit and made the island her home in 2019. She loves connecting with people from around the world and building lasting relationships, making her role at BELS a perfect fit. Curious by nature, she’s always keen to discover new cultures, flavours and experiences—especially if Peruvian food is involved! Outside work, Aimee enjoys travelling, spending time by the sea with a good book, catching beautiful sunsets, and has a soft spot for cats and otters.

Originally from Germany, Lola first came to Malta in 2020 for an English language holiday—and quickly fell in love with the island. A few years later, she returned to study Tourism Management and is now part of the BELS team, helping students create unforgettable experiences during their time in Malta. Having once been an international student herself, Lola understands the excitement of arriving in a new country and discovering everything it has to offer. Outside work, she enjoys surfing, hiking and exploring Malta by bike, and is always happy to share her favourite scenic routes and hidden gems with students.

Hitomi first discovered her passion for languages through her studies in Applied Linguistics and her experience teaching Japanese. Fascinated by how people learn and communicate across cultures, she loves helping students find the course that’s right for them and supporting them on their language-learning journey. Originally from Japan and now happily calling Malta home, Hitomi enjoys combining her love of languages with meeting people from around the world. Outside work, you’ll find her travelling, running, hiking, cycling or expressing her creativity through jewellery making. She also enjoys exploring the connection between Western culture and her Asian roots.

Originally from Ostrava in the Czech Republic, Karolina brings her passion for languages and international communication to her role as Sales Executive at BELS. She studied Business French at university and loves helping students take the next step in their language-learning journey. After moving to Malta in 2023, she quickly fell in love with the island’s multicultural atmosphere, beautiful coastline and relaxed lifestyle. Outside work, Karolina is a certified yoga teacher who enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time in nature, watching sunsets, and relaxing with her two cats.

Having lived in several countries before settling in Malta, Paulina brings an international perspective and a genuine love of languages and cultures to BELS. She enjoys meeting people from around the world and helping students feel welcome from the moment they arrive. A proud mother of three, Paulina is also a certified diving instructor who loves travelling, exploring beneath the waves, and getting lost in a good book whenever she has the chance.

Sara first joined BELS as a teacher and, after four years, progressed to Assistant Director of Studies at BELS Malta. Passionate about education, she works closely with students and teachers to help create a supportive, engaging learning environment where everyone can succeed. With an insatiable curiosity for travel and different cultures, Sara is always eager to discover somewhere new. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with friends, getting lost in a good book, catching the latest films and staying active with regular workouts.

Born in Malta and raised in London, Nicholas brings together the best of both his Maltese and British roots. With over 20 years of experience in education, he joined BELS as a Junior Team Supervisor and now leads our Junior Operations, ensuring every student enjoys a safe, memorable and rewarding experience. From student welfare to activities and camps, Nicholas is passionate about creating an environment where young learners can thrive. Friendly and approachable, he loves travelling, discovering new cultures, and making the most of sunny days by the sea.

Originally a chemist by profession, Juan brings a practical, friendly and people-focused approach to his role as Accommodation Officer at BELS. Having lived in Malta for the past five years, he understands what it’s like to settle into a new country and is always happy to help students feel at home. Juan looks after our apartments and host families, ensuring students enjoy a comfortable stay throughout their time with us. Outside work, he enjoys travelling, keeping active through sports, and sharing his favourite places and local tips with students discovering Malta for the first time.

After building a career across finance, sales and business, Fleur is now living her long-held dream of working in education. As Operations & Programmes Coordinator at BELS Malta, she supports students throughout their learning journey and stay in Malta, helping to ensure every experience is smooth, rewarding and memorable. Originally from Malta, Fleur’s international education and diverse professional background have shaped her people-first approach and passion for personal growth. Guided by her motto, “Live life to the full,” she enjoys helping others achieve their goals while creating a welcoming environment where students can truly thrive.

BELS hand picks its trainers and ensures that they are in possession of internationally recognised qualifications in TEFL, as well as being highly experienced speakers of the English language. Teachers are encouraged to design lessons that target learners’ needs, using supplementary material whenever appropriate. The schools’ teaching facilities include audio/ visual equipment, interactive white-boards and a library.