Ideal for students who want to take unique specialised courses.
Not ideal for students who just want to learn standard English.
The good
- Small class sizes (maximum 10, even in peak seasons).
- Newly renovated building.
- Many specialised courses are offered and change depending on the market trends, e.g. English and podcasting
The bad
- The school is not mobility accessible.
- Not a very diverse student body.
Date of my inspection visit at Alpha School of English Malta: June 25, 2024.
My overall take
Alpha School of English (Alpha) in Malta is located in St. Paul’s Bay, north of Malta, and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. When I visited, they were still completing the finishing touches in the building; however, they will be finished by the time you read this.
Alpha was one of the most forward-thinking schools I visited. The teachers design their courses and update their programmes annually to follow industry trends, incorporating feedback from returning students. This solution-based approach ensures that the courses are relevant and continuously improving. These professional courses include off-site training days in historic cities like Valletta and Mdina, culminating in student presentations.
Most teachers have been with the school for at least five years, creating a stable and familiar learning environment. They develop their syllabus, primarily focusing on interactive learning, using Navigate as a supplementary resource. All class materials are uploaded to Google Classrooms, making it easy to review and keep up with lessons, especially if lessons are missed; no money is wasted!
I was impressed by the thoughtfulness of their welcome package, which includes a free SIM card and a map. This makes it easier to settle in, again, something that wasn’t mentioned at the other schools I visited. Their partnership with the local council for city clean-up initiatives was another standout feature, reflecting the school’s commitment to community involvement and environmental sustainability.
The ideal student for this school is very specific: students who are looking for 1-2 week courses, not just a general English course but more specialised courses that can help them brush up on their English for different industry trends.
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Alpha School of English Malta at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.3 (26 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Very small Max. 10 students in Standard English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Below average diversity. No nationality more than 35%. Top nationality: Polish |
| Learning intensity | Once a week, usually written work on a Friday (20-30 minutes) |
| Number of students | 85 adults + 15 juniors in July 75 in January |
| Minimum student age | 3 years for specific group courses |
| Accreditations | FELTOM, Bildungsurlaub, ELT council |
| Course range | General English General English Mini-Group Junior/Teen General English (8 to 17 years old) Junior/Teen One-to-One Lessons (8 to 17 years old) Junior/Teen Two-to-One Lessons (8 to 17 years old) Kids English: Kid’s Club (5 to 8 years old) Kids English: Playschool (2 to 7 years old) Online One-to-One Lessons One-to-One Lessons Two-to-One Lessons General English + Unpaid Work Placement Business English Mini-Group Specialised One-to-One Professional Training |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Hotel, Apartments, |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45 min/lesson | 1 week: €260 3 weeks: €780 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €50 Course material fee: €30 |
| Price level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €19.10 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfortunately, no students were available/willing to be interviewed at this school.
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Dominique Sammut Buontempto, Assistant Director of Studies of Alpha School of English Malta.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “We create our professional courses. We design them with the needs of the student in mind. We have a lot of professional courses…where students can come and learn some techniques.“
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “We have a lot of students here who come for short-term courses. Most of our professional courses here are for one or two weeks. Also, students who love the beach because we are five minutes away from the sea!“
School inspection report
Classrooms
Most of the classrooms are modern, and they are in the process of creating a unique “kids club” with beautiful murals and cloud lights. Everything is child-friendly for the children who attend courses as part of the family programme. All the classrooms also have interactive whiteboards or TV panels.
Facilities
The facilities were still being finished, so there are no pictures, but the school will have a dedicated floor for professional students, a coffee bar with free coffee, a rooftop garden, and a tuck shop on the rooftop.
Surrounding area
Alpha is located on a quiet residential road, but just a short walk away, you’ll find Bugibba Square, a bustling hub with cafes, shops, and entertainment. The Malta National Aquarium and picturesque St. Paul’s Island are also nearby.
Social activities
The social programme consists primarily of cultural tours. This programme is also identical to the programme offered by othe schools. Some additional activities mentioned separately to me, not on this bulletin, included chocolate-making classes at a local factory.
Trusted student ratings of Alpha School of English Malta on the web
| Total | 4.3 (26 ratings) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (26 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 Alpha School of English Malta
Triq l-Arznell, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta
Alpha School of English Malta – Reviews & Exclusive Discounts at LanguageCourse.net »
