Since I am a French and German student I figured out that doing a language study holiday in a non-German speaking country would be very beneficial for me. I decided to spend two weeks in Malta for a language holiday with CLC and my school mate Lea Sidler.
Malta is one of the top quality choices to learn English worldwide, because English is widely spoken by locals. The islands are both beautiful and interesting, and there is a lot to indulge in during your free time. I decided to combine the study of English at the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar with free time in Malta.
Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School in Naxxar
landscape of Malta
Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School offers a diversity of subjects for any level. It provides other language than English for example: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Maltese and Spanish. But also subject in link with science, art, religion and economy.
With the company CLC we had 3hours English lessons every morning from Monday to Friday. We realized directly that there are main differences between this education and the French one. The first day at school we made a test to check our knowledge. Then we were separated in 5 classes according to our English level, which helped us progress. The teacher would look after each student. We didn’t write a lot of lessons and exercises like in a normal French school. This school stimulates teamwork to create interaction between the students and teachers. We also did a lot of debates and games. We often worked with music, which helped us concentrate. This form of midday teaching suits me well and I was able to progress more quickly in a very little span of time.
The different rules in the establishment also marked me: In France is a secularism country, which implies the separation of the State and religious organisation. You have to respect the public order by keeping laws to preserve students from any ideological, economical and religious influence. For example it is forbidden to invoke political or religious convictions and wear symbol, which demonstrate a religious affiliation. Malta, being a Catholic Republic doesn’t work with secularism. A Maltese school proposes religious school lessons and allows religious symbols. There was for example a cross in our classroom. Within the host family religion was also very important.
Another difference: In France wearing a uniform is not usual in contrary to Malta.
The afternoon was devoted to the discovery of the island. We went to the beach, took the boat, and visited Gozo, la Valetta etc. CLC was organised so that we could learn a lot about Malta’s history, economy and also enjoy the weather and relax.In the afternoon was devoted to the island. We went to the beach, took the boat, and visited Gozo, la Valetta etc. CLC was well organised so that we could learn a lot about Malta’s history, economy and also enjoy the weather and relax.
Like I mentioned before my schoolmate Lea Sidler and I lived with locals, in our host family, so we could apply what we learned in the english lesson. We didn’t spend a lot of time with the family, but our host mother gave us some tips. For example she recommended us to take the bus during our free time go to a well-known beach in Malta and she listed us what we should absolutely see.
The food was really different than the one in France. Malta, a former British colony has been influenced by its culture. That’s why Maltese food is almost the same than the British one.
This language holiday has kept its promises. I revised my English bases and worked on my fluency, considering the fact that I had to speak English most of the time during this journey. I also learned a lot about Malta’s history, economy and living standards. Visiting another country afforded me to see the differences and similarities with France. These two weeks were culturally enlightening and helped me progress on a spiritual level. We met lots of persons from different countries and ages.