FAQS about Certified English Language Courses - BELS Malta

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Pre-Arrival Questions
How do I know my booking is complete?

After providing us with your requirements via email phone / online form, we will confirm availability and provide you with payment options to suit your needs. A minimum of 25% deposit will be required to confirm your booking, after which, you will be provided with a confirmation letter.

Yes, upon confirmation of booking, you will be provided with the respective emergency contact details for a representative from our BELS Language School in Gozo, BELS Language School in Malta or BELS Juniors English School representatives.

You are kindly requested to contact us via the emergency phone number provided upon confirmation of booking, so that your arrival transfer may be re-arranged according to the new flight date and time.

Depending on whether you have booked a self-catering, bed and breakfast, homestay Malta, half or full board accommodation, you will need to pay for your day-to-day living expenses.

Within Malta and Gozo, transport is rather cheap and efficient, as well as the general cost of living. From our experience and past student feedback, students at our English schools in Malta and Gozo can live comfortably on the islands on as little as €50-75 per week.

All BELS residences, homestays in Malta and Gozo, and self-catering apartments are within walking distance of the school. See your accommodation descriptions, which include a map and route to your selected school.

BELS Language Schools in Malta and Gozo are closed on public holidays. However, BELS provides a full day tour in Malta or Gozo on every public holiday that falls on a weekday. The tour is free of charge to all BELS students taking English courses in Malta and Gozo. Visit publicholidays.eu/malta for the full calendar of public holidays.

We recommend that you bring some stationery with you apart from your usual weather-appropriate clothes. The material for your English courses in Malta will be provided by your BELS Language School in Malta or Gozo on your first day of school.

Your chosen course, online placement test, course-material, Wi-Fi, use of lending library in our language schools in Malta and Gozo, certificate of attendance, mobile SIM card and welcome event.

Kindly request our school fact files for all updated age and nationality mix information.

Course Related Questions

Yes, BELS offers business English mini-group courses designed to help you develop your English to make your daily work tasks easier, as well as individual business English lessons which are tailored to your specific role and learning needs. On your first, we’ll conduct a detailed needs analysis.

The standard English course in our language schools in Malta and Gozo has a maximum capacity of 12 students per class. If you prefer smaller groups, we also have courses with mini-groups available, with maximum 6 students per class for increased teacher attention.

Yes, we can provide both course and accommodation that are suitable for you and your child. We also have teen summer camps in Malta that include a programme of activities.

One week before your requested starting date (every Monday) is ideal.

You will sit for a level test prior to the start of your course, based on your answers, we will then be able to place you in a class at the correct level. The online English placement test can be accessed here: https://belsmalta.com/english-test.

If your level is lower than Elementary, you have to join our Beginner English courses which have specific start dates, or take individual lessons. These are two week courses which cover the fundamental language points necessary to build confidence, and prepare students to join an elementary class. If we do not have a beginner course for your booked course dates, we may suggest changing your dates when possible. If it’s not possible, students that are beginners will be required to take individual lessons until they are fully able to join an elementary level classes.

On the first day you are kindly asked to inform your teacher, who will liaise with our director of studies, and together, we will ensure lesson plans and classes are adapted to a more appropriate level for you. All students also perform a progress test on a weekly basis to track academic progress and point out any weaknesses. Level changes with progress are also possible. You can rest assured that you will be in the appropriate level during your English course in Malta.

Yes, all our teachers are qualified and we also ensure that every teacher undergoes the necessary hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on an annual basis. BELS language schools in Malta and Gozo are also accredited by FELTOM, ALTO, ELT and IALC. All teachers are also hand-picked by our director of studies to ensure pronunciation is clear and correct and one that our students will want to mimic.

Yes, at BELS adult centres we also prepare an individual student assessment summary, which provides details of your development and teacher remarks regarding your English courses in Malta and Gozo, together with your final certificate of attendance.

Adults and Juniors in low season: The general English group course of 20 lessons starts at 09:15 and finishes at 12:45 (including a 30-minute break). Whilst the intensive general English courses for adults have an additional lesson from 13:15 to 14:45 (includes additional 30-minute break).
*Adults in high season: Courses start 15 minutes earlier.
*Teen summer camps in Malta in high season: The general English group course of 20 lessons will begin at 14:30 and finish at 17:45 (including a 15-minute break).

Accommodation related questions

BELS offers homestay Malta, self-catering residences and shared/private apartments in both Malta and Gozo throughout the year. Hotels may also be offered upon request.

No, you are not obliged to book your accommodation with us. However, if you do, you will benefit from the same BELS standards across all services we provide.

No, you may book a twin (sharing) room and the BELS team will pair you with another student at our language school in Malta or Gozo of the same gender.

No. In all accommodation options, bed linen and towels are provided and changed on a weekly basis.

In all residences, ideally Saturday to Saturday, however, different days may be arranged upon request. A one-week booking entitles you to 8 days/ 7 nights. Additional nights can be booked at an additional supplement. (Reminder: Group English courses in Malta and Gozo start on Mondays).

For adults only a refundable deposit of €100 is to be paid by persons residing in the BELS residence or in the shared accommodation on the first day of school. Whilst for Junior students, a €50 refundable deposit is collected on the first day of school.

During enrolment at our language schools in Malta and Gozo you will be provided with the opportunity to inform us of this, so that we can provide and assist you with various options.

Yes, you may purchase laundry vouchers in-house and we will take care of your washing for you.

You are always kindly requested to inform a team member at the front desk or your BELS Gozo or Malta English school representative of any issues, so that we can discuss solutions and reach an amiable solution together.

Check-in is from 14:00 onwards, whilst check-out is at 10:00.

Travel Related Questions

You are responsible for purchasing your own flight tickets. However, we can provide assistance if necessary.

All students not from countries in the European Union or the Schengen zone require a student visa. We can provide assistance and country-specific information upon request. If assistance is required, after payment of the full invoice amount (required by law), BELS Malta Language schools will issue a student visa letter, specific to the country of the students’ nationality which will be required during the application in the appropriate embassy. Should the visa request be denied by the respective embassy, BELS will issue a full refund (excluding bank charges and administration fee).

BELS Malta English schools provide arrival and departure transfers for all students at competitive rates. Otherwise, students may opt to use public transport, which may take longer due to their operating procedures.

A BELS team member at the front desk of your language school in Malta or Gozo can provide this in-house and free of charge upon arrival.

Yes, you may do so during enrollment with the BELS Malta English schools an extra cost of approximately €10 per week.

In both centres we have snack, drinks and coffee vending machines. Within a few minutes’ walk of the St. Paul’s Bay centre, one will also find various kiosks/shops to purchase food from.

During the summer each bus ride costs €2 per trip, whilst during the rest of the year each ride costs €1.50 per trip. Each ticket is valid for 2 hours. Alternatively, you may also purchase a week ticket which costs either; €21 for unlimited travel for 7 days, or 2) €15 for 12 trips within 7 days.

All students will be provided with accommodation descriptions and welcome packs which include such information.

Students are requested to fill in an evaluation sheet on a weekly basis, which is carefully screened by the BELS team to ensure full customer satisfaction. Additionally, all students are encouraged to speak to any member of the BELS team whenever necessary to ensure the expectations and needs of our students are given highest priority. Students’ needs are priortised at BELS Malta Language schools.

Exchange bureaus can be found at the airport and also locally close to the language schools in Malta and Gozo. Most credit cards are also accepted by banks and their cash machines and also in most shops on the islands.

Leisure Related Questions (Adults)

Yes, upon arrival all students will be provided with a presentation and a weekly programme to select leisure activities from. Bookings for excursions of cultural activities can be made at the front desk of our language schools in Malta and Gozo.

Adult students may opt for pre-organised leisure activities at an additional cost – they may do this directly at the school, or purchase an activity package prior to arrival. Alternatively, students may wish to explore Malta and Gozo using public transport or other transport services at their own arrangements.

Malta and Gozo have many attractions and places to visit and, although you will have lessons during the week, you will also have plenty of time to visit locations of interest across Malta and Gozo. Visit the BELS blog page for a comprehensive list of ideas and things to do in Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Within a few steps of the BELS Malta English school and approximately 20-minute walking distance from the BELS Gozo centre, students will find grocery shops, supermarkets, local and foreign banks, post office, gymnasiums, stationary and snack shops, retail outlets, and many more. More information may be provided by our caring admins. Bus stops and routes are also very close to both centres.

Leisure Related Questions (Juniors)

Yes, included in the BELS Juniors package are 5 morning activities, 6 evening activities and 1 full day activity. The programme also includes 1 free evening and morning to allow for rest and some free time. Watersport activities are also available during our teen summer camp in Malta.

No, all activities are included in the package price. Occasionally, an additional activity may be offered, such as a boat party, and this would be optional and at an additional cost. Additionally, students may also opt for our weekly sailing/windsurfing/watersports packages before or during the programme start dates. The watersports packages are only available during teen summer camps in Malta.

Yes, all BELS Juniors students are provided private BELS transport, as part of the package, at no extra cost and established meeting points and times are communicated on location, via the group leaders and the leisure programme provided.

Yes, all BELS Juniors students are supervised throughout as we have group leaders supervising activities, the residence, and school time at a ratio of 1 leader for every 15 students at the least. Should students require visiting a doctor or particular attention, group leaders will be available upon request. Additionally, a qualified lifeguard and first aider will always be present as per EU law and regulations.