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MEDITERRANEAN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACADEMY

Useful Information

AN INTERNATIONAL ATMOSPHERE

Our students come from all over the world.  The mixture of languages and cultures creates a fascinating international atmosphere.  Our “English Only” policy means that everyone uses English exclusively in the school.  Our staff  are always delighted to welcome and get to know our international students.  Making new friends from around the world is easy. 

LOCATION

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily, the Maltese Archipelago consists of three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino.  Their total population is about 380,000. AREA of the Maltese Islands is 316 Km2 and internal waters: 198Km2.

LANGUAGE

The two official languages are Maltese and English.  English pervades Maltese society as a result of the British rule between 1802 and 1964 and it became an official language in 1933.  English is spoken widely and fluently and many Maltese families use English as their first language.

INDUSTRIES

Tourism is the Island’s biggest industry followed by shipbuilding and repairing, manufacturing, high tech, fishing and agriculture.   The free port and  financial services are currently being developed.

BANKS & CURRENCY

There are banks in most towns and villages.  You can cash both traveller and foreign cheques with either your passport, Eurocard or bank card.  Most hotels offer a currency exchange service.  Major credit cards, the Euro, British Sterling, and US dollar currencies  are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants .

The currency which is based on the Maltese Lire (Lm) is divided in 100 cents.  For current rates of exchange please check at the nearest bank or at your hotel or apartments. The Euro is widely accepted in shops and restaurants. Click here to check current rates of exchange.

DRIVING

In Malta driving is on  the left and speed limits are 65kph out of built-up areas and 40kph in built-up areas.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

The following is a list of public holidays in Malta:

01 January New Year’s Day
10 February St Paul’s Shipwreck
19 March St Joseph
 -  Good Friday (Mar/Apr)
01 May Worker’s Day
07 June – 7 June Martyrs’ Day
29 June St Peter & St Paul
15 August St Mary
21 September Independence
08 December Immaculate Conception
13 December Republic Day
25 December Christmas Day

There are over 50 ‘festas’ held each year in villages around the Island between May and September;  it is well worth paying a visit if there is one during your stay.

SHOPPING

Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 12.30 p.m. and again from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. every day except Sundays and public holidays.  There is a tendency for shops in tourist areas to remain open even up to 10.00 p.m.  There are some very good souvenirs to be found in Malta, including:  Malta lace, gold and silver filigree, Malta glass, wrought iron ornaments, Maltese dolls, woven cloth, pottery and ceramics.

CHEMISTS

Chemists are quite numerous and they usually stock all medicines available on the international market.  Chemists are closed on Sundays and public holidays, but one chemist in every district opens every Sunday morning on a roster basis.  Should you find it necessary to call a doctor, your hotel or  aparthotel receptionist and your host family would  be able to help.

PHONING HOME

International dialling telephone service is available everywhere.  Roaming  mobile telephony arrangements is in place with more than a hundred different countries.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is 240 volt – 50 cycle A.C. and three square-pin plugs and sockets are used.  If in doubt regarding any appliance, contact your receptionist or host family.

POST OFFICE

Post office branches are found all over Malta, and the main mailing post office is in Marsa.  The postage rates:  internal 6 cents;  to European counties: for letters and post-cards 16 cents.

RESTAURANTS

There are various types of restaurants in Malta from the little snack bar to the plushest restaurant.  There are many excellent pizza and hamburger places, as well as other fast food outlets including pasta specialities.  Restaurants serving chic food at higher prices are particularly good with their main emphasis being Italian, French and oriental cuisine, apart from the local specialities which include:

• Minestra – vegetable soup

• Bragioli – beef olives

• Timpana – baked macaroni in pastry with minced meat, egg, cheese and aubergine

• Ravjul – ravioli

• Qaqocc – stuffed globe artichokes

Fish is particularly delicious in Malta and depending on the season the main varieties are. Pixxispad (swordfish), acciola (amberjack, sargu (silverbream), dentici and lampuki.

The main local cheese is gbejna (cheeselet) – made from goat’s milk.

Several excellent beers are produced locally – the most popular local beers are HopLeaf and Cisk Lager.   Local wines such as Marsovin and Lachryma Vitis are very good and inexpensive.

NIGHT LIFE

There are hundreds of bars, restaurants, night-clubs, cinemas and other entertainment establishments concentrated in St Julians and the neighbouring Paceville area, as also around Marsascala in the south.  Group transport is made available in late evenings and during the night.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport is very cheap and quite reliable.  There are regular services connecting towns ad villages with Valletta, where the main bus terminus is located.  All public transport stops at 11.00 p.m. but some routes stop running earlier.