Member schools said they had received 10,711 bookings for Q2 and Q3 of 2021, although there were also cancellations (2,124) and postponements (2,849). Schools also reported last minute bookings.

Malta has planned a voucher scheme for incoming English language students whereby those that stay a minimum of 15 nights will receive a €10 voucher for each night of stay up to a maximum of 30 nights.

However, according to The Times of Malta, there is some concern about teacher shortages for the season, with one language school source reporting they needed to double the number of teachers due to social distancing requirements.

“Many teachers have left the industry for good over the last months, so we desperately need teachers. If local teachers are not forthcoming, Malta should perhaps consider inviting teachers from the UK to fill in this gap,” they said.

“Many teachers have left the industry for good over the last months, so we desperately need teachers.”

Foreign students studying English language courses at ELT schools in Malta dropped 80.3% in 2020 over the previous year, according to figures from the country’s National Office of Statistics.

Just 16,491 students attended language courses, with more than six out of 10 coming from EU countries, particularly Germany (16.7%), France (10.7%) and Italy (9.8%).

“As a result of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the busiest month for local licensed ELT schools during the year under review was January, accounting for 21.1% of the annual total students,” said the NOS.

“July and February followed at 18.4% and 16.9% respectively.”

Malta is currently open to students from most of its major sources countries, although restrictions remain for those from “high risk areas”, including Brazil.