Ideal for young students in search of an upscale school in St. Julian’s.
Not ideal for very mature students.
The good
- Various teacher training courses.
- One of the most affordable schools in Malta (great value for money).
- There are dedicated kids classrooms for the family programmes.
The bad
- Great but repetitive social activity programme.
Date of my inspection visit at ACE English Malta: June 14, 2024.
My overall take
ACE English Malta (ACE) is very conveniently located. Situated in a mini shopping complex, it is surrounded by numerous high end hotels and accommodations so beware that there is a bit of noise from all the construction work. This is common in St. Julian’s. Additionally it is a two-minute walk from the beautiful beach and ten minutes from the main promenade, making it easy to explore and enjoy Malta’s vibrant touristic centre.
One of the things that stood out to me about ACE was the wide variety of courses they offer. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to perfect your fluency, there’s a course tailored just for you. Their Eaquals accreditation also instils confidence in the quality and education standards provided. The presence of different departments within the school ensures that students are fully supported in all aspects. Every need is handled, from customer service and visa assistance to academic support and leisure activities.
One thing no other school spoke about was internship opportunities which ACE offer. Many of these interns are young adults and therefore get along well with the students, building a young vibrant community within the school. Many of the interns work within the activity team and accompany the students to the excursions. I had the pleasure of attending a trip to the Blue Grotto with the other students and I witnessed how well everyone got along, both students and activity co-ordinators.
The ideal student for this school would be young, sociable adults ready to mingle with people from all different backgrounds and make life long friends.
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ACE English Malta at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.3 (158 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Average Max. 15 students in Standard English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Below average diversity. No nationality more than 30%. Top nationality: Colombia |
| Learning intensity | Students are encouraged to do optional homework, but there is not compulsory homework |
| Number of students | 330 adults + 15 + 20 juniors in July 150 – 10-15in January |
| Minimum student age | 3 years for specific family programme |
| Accreditations | Eaquals, ILT, Bildungsurlaub, Trinity College London, Erasmus, European language label |
| Course range | ACE Group ACE Combination ACE Conversation ACE Kids Group (3 to 11 years old) ACE Kids Personalised (3 to 12 years old) ACE Teens Group (12 to 17 years old) ACE Teens Personalised (13 to 17 years old) ACE Personalised ACE Personalised (2-to-1) ACE Business ACE Business Combination Preliminary Exam Preparation (PET) ACE Cambridge First Certificate Exam Preparation (FCE) ACE Cambridge Exam Preparation (CPE) ACE Cambridge Key Exam Preparation (KET) ACE IELTS Preparation Course Teacher Training: Practical Methodology – CLIL Teacher Training: Practical Methodology – Dyslexia Teacher Training: Practical Methodology – Interactive Whiteboard Teacher Training: Practical Methodology – Primary Teacher Training: Practical Methodology – Secondary |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Shared apartments (18+) |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €221 3 weeks: €661 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €45 Course material fee: €35 |
| Price level – Standard Group course€221 | €16.50 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfiltered comments from random students I met at the school and asked about their experience.
“I liked the activities. I didn’t know anything about Malta, but the activities showed me everything about Malta. But the activities are the same. I have stayed here for three months, so sometimes the activities are boring. If I had to change anything, it would be different activities.”
Tunch
from Turkey
“I really like the climate in classes; it’s very uplifting, and the teachers are always there to explain if you don’t understand.“
Loïc
19 years from France
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Adelia Mubarakshina, International Relations Executive of ACE English Malta.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “We accept kids from 3 years old. Our different programmes are for kids, teens, and adults. We cover all the varieties [of courses].”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “Everyone is welcome, but I would say more young people, 20-35; young, positive and open-minded people who are ready to make new connections.”
School inspection report
Classrooms
Classrooms range in different shapes and sizes but are all bright, and furnished with like new tables and chairs. There are also interactive whiteboards, laptops for the students, and all the language books have QR codes for students to access extra work.
Facilities
There is a large lounge area on the ground floor as well as a study area on the first floor where students can both mingle and study individually or in groups.
Surrounding area
Several beaches and promenades can be found a short walk away from ACE, i.e. Spinola Bay, Paceville, St. George’s Bay, Portomaso Marina, Balluta Bay and the Sliema Promenade.
Social activities
There are several options for students to get involved, including several party options. However, one student did mention that the activities are repetitive, and once you have been there for four weeks, you are likely to have done all the activities.
Trusted student ratings of ACE English Malta on the web
| Total | 4.3 (158 ratings) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (158 ratings) |
Ratings as of June 28, 2024
Why no Google or Facebook ratings? Schools may have requested Facebook, Google or Trustpilot reviews only from those students that previously gave positive after-course evaluations. I only trust ratings from independent booking platforms/agencies, that allow exclusively clients who booked via their platform to rate the schools. I have checked each of these sites above and they have no disproportional number of positive vs negative reviews.
Location of ACE English Malta
Triq Santu Wistin, Bay Street Complex, Level 4, St. George’s Bay, St Julian’s STJ 3311, Malta
ACE English Malta – Reviews & Exclusive Discounts at LanguageCourse.net »
