NSTS English Language Institute has held a National Business English Weekend Conference in collaboration with BESIG, the Business English Special Interest Group at IATEFL

This successful event, which took place as part of NSTF's 40th anniversary celebrations, was opened by managing director Francis Stivala and Louis Grech, director of studies of the NSTS English Language Institute (ELI).

In his welcome speech, Mr Stivala referred to the NSTS ELI's 40 years of success in the field of teaching English as a foreign language and teacher training in Malta. He traced the path from "a beginning of commitment, enthusiasm, motivation and determination" to the present ELT professional status enjoyed by the NSTS ELI, and the Maltese ELT scenario in general.

He contrasted this hard-earned expertise, recognised internationally, with the current concern over the English language situation in mainstream education as reported recently and questioned the lack of resourcing the ELT profession at last month's seminar organised by the ministry on the subject.

The National Business English Weekend Conference guest speakers were Mark Powell, author of several best-selling Business English course books and Evan Frendo, international co-ordinator of BESIG-IATEFL.

The event was attended by more than 40 participants from various schools in Malta and concentrated mainly on teaching English to the executive learner. Workshops with practical activities on meetings, negotiations, telephoning, presentations and business writing skills were presented by the guest speakers.

The conference was organised and co-ordinated by Jean Sciberras, teacher-trainer and deputy director of studies at NSTS.

Delicata Winery and General Soft Drinks sponsored the drinks while AudioVisual Ltd put up a book display during the conference and distributed freebies to all the participants.