Institute of English Language Studies (IELS Malta)
Description of IELS Malta
The Institute of English Language Studies (IELS) is one of the largest English schools in Malta, both in size and reputation. Founded in 1985, IELS is one of the first English schools to have opened its doors in Malta.
The language school is ideally located in the popular tourist and seaside town of Sliema, an appealing environment highly appreciated by students from all walks of life.
IELS Malta has 55 classrooms, allowing it to accommodate up to 700 students at the same time, making it one of the largest educational structures on the archipelago. The school can host and teach English to students of all ages and levels. Courses for young learners are available from the age of 12.
Certifications of the IELS School
IELS holds the ELT license, making it an official school recognized by the Maltese government.
IELS is also among the most internationally accredited schools. It holds the Erasmus+ certification, enabling it to welcome students participating in the Erasmus program, a hallmark of recognition and quality at the European level. In addition, it is certified as an official Cambridge English training center and holds the Alto accreditation.
Finally, the school is a member of the 14 FELTOM schools (Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta), a Maltese body that brings together and certifies Malta’s most renowned English language schools.
IELS English Courses
IELS offers 12 formats of English courses for adults accessible to students aged 18 and above throughout the year, from Monday to Friday. Classes consist of a maximum of 12 students, except for mini-group classes which are limited to 6 students.
- General English – 15 hours per week
- Intensive English – 22.5 hours per week
- General English in a Mini-Group – 15 hours per week
- Intensive English in a Mini-Group – 22.5 hours per week
- Business English – 15 hours per week
- Intensive Business English (Intensive Business English) – 22.5 hours per week
- Supplementary IELTS/TOEIC exam preparation (IELTS/TOEIC PLUS) – 7.5 hours per week
- Supplementary Conversational English (Conversation English) – 7.5 hours per week
- Cambridge FCE/CAE/CPE preparation – 22.5 hours per week
- CELTA preparation for teachers (Intensive CELTA) – 40 hours per week
- Private lessons (Private Tuition) – 45 minutes per lesson
- Lessons in pairs (English for Two) – 45 minutes per lesson
The school also offers two formats of English courses for young learners and teenagers, available during summer holidays, as well as during Easter and All Saints’ vacations.
IELS students are assigned to groups of a homogeneous level. Each student takes an online level test 14 days before arrival, as well as an oral test (via Zoom) with a member of the academic department. The two evaluations help determine the student’s actual English level and the class they will be assigned to.
Accommodation
IELS Malta offers four accommodation options for adults opting for a complete language stay in the form of a “Package” or courses + accommodation. Students can choose between the Day’s Inn Hotel residence, which offers the comfort of a hotel along with additional facilities (kitchen, laundry, etc.), the Onsite shared apartments located within the school itself, shared apartments, and host family accommodation.
Underage students, on the other hand, can stay either at the Center Residence, located about one hundred meters from the school, or at the Club Residence (Topaz Hotel) in San Pawl il-Baħar.
Accommodation options for adults
Day’s Inn
Day’s Inn is a comfortable and well-equipped 3-star hotel residence. The residence notably has a rooftop pool, open from March to October. It’s an ideal setting for young adults (18 – 30 years old) in one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Malta.
Onesite
The Onsite Residence consists of shared apartments located on the top floors of the IELS school. The apartments were fully renovated at the beginning of 2023 and feature a shared kitchen as well as a shared living room for students’ comfort.
Sliema Tigne Suites
The Sliema Tigne Suites are shared apartments located just across from the school. They are modern, fully equipped apartments.
Host Families
IELS works with numerous Maltese host families to accommodate its students. The families are carefully selected and usually located within a 20-minute walk of the school. They can accommodate between 2 and 4 students.
IELS Malta Reviews
IELS Malta is a reference English school in Malta. It is one of the most popular establishments for undertaking a language stay. The school has modern facilities, well-equipped classrooms, and applies high standards in the recruitment of its English teachers as well as in its teaching methods.
IELS also has its own partner student residence, “Day’s Inn,” located less than five minutes from the school. This is an ideal residence for young adults on a language stay in Malta, as it is modern, close to the school, and promotes social interactions.
IELS’s pricing falls into the higher range of the rates charged by schools in Malta. However, the school regularly offers very attractive package deals for longer stays, as well as regular promotional offers.
Positive points of IELS
- A large multicultural school offering a great diversity of nationalities among its students.
- High-quality teaching provided by qualified native-speaking teachers.
- A modern main building with comfortable classrooms equipped with digital whiteboards.
- Modern and functional accommodation options for adults (Day’s Inn and Onsite).
- A good value for money on package deals (courses + accommodation) for stays of 3 weeks or more.
- An ideal location, less than a 5-minute walk from Malta’s main shopping centers and a 25-minute walk from the Paceville area.
- The possibility of preparing for the Cambridge exam in 6 weeks (only 4 schools offer this in Malta).
Negative points of IELS
- Host families are mainly “for profit,” and do not get very involved in students’ daily lives. However, this is a common situation among most host families for schools in Malta.
- The activity program for language stays aimed at young learners and teenagers is less extensive than that of other schools of the same standard, such as ESE Malta or EF Malta, for example.
Locations
Address of IELS Malta: Triq Mattew Pulis, Tas-Sliema, Malta
IELS is located at Sliema Ferry. It benefits from an ideal and highly sought-after location in Malta, just steps away from the ferry terminal to Valletta and less than 100 meters from the large shopping center The Point. The center of Saint Julian’s, as well as its famous Paceville district, can be reached in about a 20-minute walk.
Frequently Asked Questions about IELS Malta
Is IELS Malta a good school for learning English?
IELS is among the best schools for learning English in Malta. IELS has been present in Malta for 40 years, making it a renowned school that provides high-quality English lessons.
Which certifications does the IELS Malta English school hold?
IELS is a school certified by Malta’s Ministry of Education (ELT Council). It holds the following certifications.
- Elt Council
- Feltom
- Alto
- Cambridge English
- Erasmus +
- Trinity College
How many classrooms does IELS have?
IELS Malta has 55 classrooms equipped for English teaching.
Does IELS offer language stays for young learners and teenagers?
IELS Malta offers language stays for young learners during the main school holidays, in partnership with the Kennedy Nova Hotel and the Plaza Regency for the accommodation of minors. Both hotels, rated three stars, provide a quality and safe environment for teenage students.
Where is the Institute of English Language Studies (IELS Malta) located?
The Institute of English Language Studies (IELS Malta) is located at Triq Matthew Pulis in the town of Tas-Sliema, Malta.
How much does a language stay in Malta at IELS cost?
The price of a language stay in Malta varies greatly depending on the duration, time of year, course format, and any promotional offers. For a three-week stay with English courses and accommodation, prices typically hover around 1,200 euros.