Ideal for students who want to be in a safer and quieter part of Malta.
Not ideal for students who want to be in the hustle and bustle of Malta.
The good
- Located in a safe area in St. Paul’s Bay.
- Direct public transport links to Sliema and St. Julian’s only 2 minutes walk from the school
- Use of advanced technology i.e. VR Headsets.
The bad
- Smaller classrooms than average.
Date of my inspection visit at BELS St. Paul’s Bay: June 24, 2024.
My overall take
BELS St. Paul’s Bay is located in the picturesque and peaceful north of the island, St. Paul’s Bay. The school is just a minute’s walk from the sea. This safer part of Malta, with its close proximity to beautiful beaches, makes it an ideal spot for students of all ages. They also have a school in Gozo, the only language school in Gozo, specifically for adults 30+, students can transfer between the two schools.
One of my favourite aspects of BELS is its advanced technology. Using VR headsets with access to MetaQuest apps and Prometheus interactive whiteboards truly enhances the learning experience. Interactive games like Kahoot! keep lessons engaging and fun. The teachers at BELS go beyond traditional textbooks, focusing on real-world applications and interaction.
Fridays are particularly fun, as teachers and students often eat lunch together. These outings are more than just social events; they are practical learning experiences where they discuss various topics and practice ordering in English.
The staff are incredibly supportive and always ready to help. The open-door policy with the Director of Studies (DOS) and Head of Faculty (HOF) means that any questions or concerns are addressed promptly. This is a crucial reason why many students return year after year.
Overall, BELS is a technologically advanced, student-focused school in a stunning location that provides an exceptional learning experience. Ideally, a student who would enjoy this school the most would be someone looking for a fun but sensible and safe place to stay during their time in Malta.
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BELS St. Paul’s Bay at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.1 (585 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Small Max. 12 students in Standard English course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Average diversity. No nationality more than 20%. Top nationality: Italian |
| Learning intensity | No specific amount of homework, the teachers gauge from classes |
| Number of students | 168 adults + 210 juniors in July 70% of each in January |
| Minimum student age | 8 years for specific junior courses |
| Accreditations | Eaquals, FELTOM, FDSV, Bildungsurlaub, Erasmus, ELT, Malta further higher education |
| Course range | General English Standard General English Intensive Bildungsurlaub Package – Residence Accommodation Packages General English – Mini Group General English Intensive – Mini Group Junior Camp – Residence Junior Day Programme – Course + Activities Young Adults General English (16 to 17 years old) Young Adults Intensive English (16 to 17 years old) Young Adults PLUS General English (17 to 19 years old) Parent + Child Course – Family Programme (7 to 15 years old) Online Individual Lessons Individual Lessons Semi-individual Lessons |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Apartments, Hotels |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €255 3 weeks: €765 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €55 Course material fee: €30 |
| Price level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €18.90 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 Andrew O’Leary, Chief Revenue Officer of BELS St. Paul’s Bay
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “The people. When students are arriving from abroad they can be quite nervous… but the people that represent the school are who make the school today. We are very very open and we have an open door policy.”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “There’s no specific student because we’re a multinational school, so all of the classrooms we operate today are mixed with different nationalities. The student who chooses BELS over any other language school would be more sensible.“
School inspection report
Classrooms
Classrooms are slightly smaller than average but over 50% of the classrooms have natural light and all are equipped with the latest Prometheus interactive whiteboards.
Facilities
The main lounge area is bright and colourful, with comfortable padded seats. A few vending machines are also available.
Surrounding area
The school is located right by the St. Paul’s Bay harbour and in close proximity to the following landmarks: Bugibba Square, Malta National Aquarium, Wignacourt Tower, St. Paul’s Island, Qawra Tower, Kennedy Grove, Salina Nature Reserve, Bugibba Water Park, Bugibba Temple and Simar Nature Reserve.
The mini-complex behind the school is accessible to all students, and there are discounts with local restaurants, making it convenient and budget-friendly.
Social activities
Most of the activities are paid for and not necessarily cheap; they range from €18 and up. There are cultural tours as well as a few other exciting suggestions, such as jet skiing, water parks, zip lining, and paddle boarding. It appears that the activities on this side of the island cater more to the beach.
Residence
I visited two different accommodations. The first accommodation is a 2-minute walk from the school building, this accommodation is classified as basic but it is spacious, relatively modern and has great amenities. Some rooms also have a view of the bay which is a plus. These are shared apartments that can accommodate from 3-6 people.
The second accommodation was superior apartments, a 20-minute walk or 10-minute car journey. These apartments are even more modern, with tasteful interior design and some apartments have an even better view of the bay.
Trusted student ratings of BELS St. Paul’s Bay on the web
| Total | 4.1 (585 ratings) |
|---|---|
| ESL | 4.1 (494 ratings) |
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.2 (91 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 BELS St. Paul’s Bay
550 Triq San Pawl, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta
BELS St Paul’s Bay – Reviews & Exclusive Discounts at LanguageCourse.net »
