There’s a new program for junior students in Malta!

Here is some good news for younger English language learners. You can now study at Maltalingua English Language School in St Julian’s, Malta! This institute is already well known for its outstanding adult courses in General English, Business English and IELTS Exam Preparation. They are now expanding this dynamic learning environment in combination with some of their first rate accommodation options in a program designed especially to meet the needs of students in the 12 to 17 age bracket.

The new junior program provides the complete package from the time the students are welcomed at the airport in Malta to the time of departure. The junior package includes a combination of an English course with in-class tuition and outdoor active learning, a choice of 4-star residence or host family accommodation and a vibrant activity program that engages students in the afternoon and evenings. Students will be immersed in an English language speaking environment, have the opportunity to make international friends and take away an experience to cherish in the future.

An academic team of native English speakers are on hand to teach the courses which have been designed by the British Director of Studies, Michael Brewster, who has over 10 years’ experience and worked with younger learners in the UK, Germany, Japan and South Korea. The primary aim throughout the course is to develop the students’ ability to communicate in English and to practice their skills both inside and outside of the classroom.

Maltalingua’s junior students will study at the Junior Campus in St Julian’s or at the Junior Summer Campus in Mellieha. Both of these locations offer fantastic facilities and in secure environment. The group leaders there will be responsible for the students’ welfare and coordinate an exciting program of free-time activities, including a variety of culture, sightseeing, sports and exciting leisure activities at some of the best locations in Malta. I’ve been to Malta several times and I know first hand that student’s would love studying there. Why not check out this amazing program?

English Students are writing the school newspaper!

International students studying at Kaplan’s English language school in Portland are improving their English skills by running their very own newspaper.

ESL instructor Sadie Dickman launched the newspaper as a fun and innovative way for students to practice their English learning by writing articles during the class. Her idea became so popular it turned into a monthly four-page newspaper featuring restaurant reviews, stories about Portland events and advice for new students. What a great idea for students to not only practice their writing skills, but also help out new classmates in the city.

Anyone can participate in the newspaper and contributors are encouraged to write about anything they are interested in. They published a recent “literature edition,” which was full of student fiction. Ms. Dickman said proudly that,  “Everyone at the college takes a newspaper when it is published and the writers are really proud to have their by-lines in the paper!” This is a great example of teachers getting students to collaborate and achieve “creative and intelligent” results.

Writing is a great tool for practicing vocabulary and reviewing grammar. Getting classes to create a school newspaper like this builds a sense of community in the class as well as in the school. It also gets students to read more! What a fabulous idea.

Key Vocabulary used in this article:

• Run (v) to manage or operate
• Launch (v) to begin or start a new project
• Innovative (adj) inventive; something that has never been done before
• Contributor (n) someone who writes articles for a newspaper or magazine
• By-line (n) The headline or title of a newspaper article
• Collaborate (v) to work together

 
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As I am sure you know, Spider-Man has a huge arsenal of superhuman abilities. But in addition to climbing walls and using is “spider-sense,” the web-making Superhero is responsible for helping people across the world learn English.

In a recent research study conducted by Kaplan International Colleges, over half of people surveyed said they improved their knowledge of the English language by reading comic books and that Spider-Man was the most popular superhero.

Peter Parker’s alter ego fought off competition from rival superheroes Superman and Batman by helping 15% of people in their English learning journey while the Man of Steel could only assist 10% and the Dark Knight 6%.

The study’s results have been turned into Kaplan’s Infographic, shown here. The language school asked hundreds of their past and present language school students whether watching television shows, listening to music, reading comics or playing video games helped them to understand and study English, and an amazing 55% of respondents picked up some English language skills from following the adventures of their favorite superheroes in comics such as Spider-Man, The X-Men and The Fantastic Four.

The news was met with great fanfare by The Stan Lee Foundation, a non-profit organization founded to provide access to literacy, education, and the arts. Ms. Junko Kobayashi, the organization’s president, said that they were please that such a well-known character as Spider-Man was playing a big role in helping students learn English. I think it’s a great thing to. Do you read comics? Leave a comment here and let us know!

 
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Thanks for studying today!