The Maltese Islands form a small archipelago consisting of Malta, Gozo and Comino, lying approximately 80 km south of Sicily and 333km north of Libya. Malta, being the cultural commercial and administrative centre is the largest member of the group and is the most popular destination for tourists, of which a large percentage are language students. With a population of about 515,000 covering an area of 316 km2 Malta is the world's tenth smallest country in area and fourth most densely populated sovereign country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area, at 0.61 km2. The official and national language is Maltese, which is descended from Sicilian Arabic that developed during the Emirate of Sicily, while English serves as the second official language. Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, a thriving nightlife, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso’s Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages lead to the main square, which is invariably dominated by the huge baroque church. As the countryside is dotted with medieval towers, wayside chapels and the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum. English Path Malta is located in St Julian’s, a seaside town in Malta. It is renowned for beaches like Balluta Bay, a rocky stretch with a promenade and restaurants. Bars and nightclubs line the streets of Paceville, an area south of St. George’s Bay Beach. Spinola Bay has traditional fishing boats, plus Spinola Palace, a baroque mansion with a carved clock centrepiece on its facade. Close to the school, various pubs, restaurants, cafeterias, nightclubs, shopping centres and a bus terminus are located, in addition to a small sandy beach, a shopping complex (open 7 days a week), cinema and a bowling alley. Health and hygiene standards throughout the islands are high and Malta is one of the safest destinations in Europe with little crime.

Choose Malta if… you want to practice the English language enjoying some sun!