National Statistics Office data released today show that in 2025, foreign students attending English language courses at 34 local licensed English Language Teaching (ELT) schools amounted to 76,063, this was a drop of 4,883 or 6.0% over 2024.
Foreign students enrolled accounted for 262,255 student weeks, an increase of 2.1% when compared to 2024. Staff employed in local licensed ELT schools numbered 1,376, the majority being teaching/academic staff (51.7%), the NSO said.
The largest share of language students was in the 15 and under age bracket, accounting for 29.2% of the total students following ELT courses, followed by the 16 and 17-year old age group, which accounted for 20.9%.
The largest share of students attending local licensed ELT schools on the Maltese Islands came from Italy (23.0%), followed by Germany (10.6%).
The most popular course uptake in local licensed ELT schools was General English: Standard at 72.9%, or 55,432 students.
The NSO noted that July was the busiest month for local licensed ELT schools in terms of course attendance, accounting for 16.5% of the annual total. August and March followed with 15.8% and 9.6% respectively.
File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary