Chinese students cleared to study in Malta

The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations is looking forward to welcoming about 250 students from China who had postponed their trip because of the outbreak of the deadly Sars virus.

Now that the Department of Health has lifted its advisory to avoid non-essential travel to mainland China and vice versa, English language schools are gearing up to welcome Chinese students for the academic year starting in October.

"The lifting of the advisory has come at the right time to allow the students to apply for the upcoming academic year," Feltom president Francis Stivala said.

Mr Stivala said that about four to five schools, making up 10 per cent of the market, which had been awaiting a high proportion of students from China, were badly hit by the outbreak.

"Chinese students are very important for our language schools. Through them we have opened a new dimension offering six-to-nine month courses as opposed to short two-to-three week courses," he said.

Feltom represents 11 of the longer-standing English language schools which together make up 80 per cent of the market.

Last year 630 Chinese students studied in Malta and the English language schools had felt that were it not for the virus the figure could have easily been doubled this year.

Mr Stivala said that last week Feltom met with Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech who had informed them that the advisory would be lifted.

One of the issues discussed was the present visa-issuing procedure for students wishing to come to Malta to study English.

At the moment, before being issued with a visa, students have to sit for an interview where they are assessed in their knowledge of English.

"We don't believe this is appropriate, especially since the students come to Malta to learn English in the first place. This is a barrier, especially for those who have to travel three to four hours for the interview with the knowledge they may not get a visa," he said. Mr Stivala said that Dr Zammit Dimech has promised to take up the matter with the Foreign Minister.

Mr Stivala was also asked about the reaction of host families, since upon news of the Sars outbreak a small number of host families had said they would refuse to host students from China.

"Now that the advisory and bans have been lifted by the authorities the host families feel serene, though there may be a few who may harbour some apprehension, and we respect that," he said.