In the past few years I recognized more and more students going on language courses abroad. Not only course in the U. S., but also courses within Europe strongly increase in popularity. There is a great variety of tender, from language courses that take only a few weeks or months, to so-called High-School-Years, professional business courses and even work and travel programs. At a first glance, it is very difficult to decide what to choose, but I would like to concentrate on language courses for students that last only a few weeks. I wanted to know why this is so fashionable nowadays and I began to think about this topic more intensively. I asked myself if this would not be a great thing for me to do, too. In the following pages I am going to examine such language courses in detail. I will present the different types of courses you can choose and the selection of accommodation available. There will also be an evaluation. I lead through a survey at Linguatime Language School in Sliema, Malta, to find out why so many students go on language holidays and if there is any progress possible at all. It has two parts, A and B. I distributed one at the beginning and one at the end of my stay in Malta to see if the students’ expectations were fulfilled or not. There can be seen positive and negative aspects that hopefully reveal the real image of such a trip. After my evaluation I am going to compare two particular language schools in Malta, the aspects will be the variety of courses, the accommodation types, the prices and the teachers. As a last point, in my conclusion, I am going to sum up the evaluation, so you will be able to see for yourself if such language courses really keep their promises. But at first, I want to have a closer look on the history of the country I chose for my stay. Malta has always been an interesting country for me because so many different cultures left their remains on its grounds. And although it is close to the African coast, it is still a part of Europe, which makes the journey much easier. Another advantage of Malta is the currency, for they have obtained the Euro in 2004. The thing I liked best of this island is that they have English as an official language. There are not so many countries so far in the south where you can speak English with native speakers and enjoy the warm climate as well; especially not in Europe.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. A short overview on Malta´s history
3. Evaluation of my language course at Linguatime Language School in Malta in comparison to my own expectations
4. Comparison between two language schools in Malta
5. Conclusion
6. References
7. Appendix
Research Objectives & Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and student experience of language courses in Malta, specifically focusing on the Linguatime Language School. Through a comparative analysis, the research explores whether these programs successfully meet the students' expectations regarding academic progress, accommodation, and cultural enrichment.
- Evaluation of student motivation and expectations for language holidays.
- Comparative analysis of different language schools in Malta (Linguatime vs. EF).
- Assessment of accommodation options and their impact on the learning experience.
- Analysis of survey data regarding student satisfaction and perceived academic development.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Evaluation of a language course at Linguatime Language School in Malta in comparison to my own expectations
When I distributed the questionnaires to the other students in the school, I did not know what would be the outcome, but nevertheless, I already had some prospects. Now, I am going to present the results from my survey and I am going to compare them with my expectations.
As I asked for the reason why they had booked such a language course, I expected to hear causes like the weather or the nightlife, because I thought the main reason for young people to go to a language trip in their holidays would be the chance to have fun without their parents.
But a look on the results proved me wrong. More than forty percent indicated that their first aim was to improve their English. Another important point was the exam preparation, which was indicated by almost fourteen percent of the students. Some of them told me that they had to pass English exams for their studies at home and that they thought this language course would prepare those best. So, at large, more than fifty percent came to Malta because they wanted to study hard and not primarily to have fun.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the rising popularity of language courses abroad and presents the author's motivation for conducting a detailed evaluation of such programs in Malta.
2. A short overview on Malta´s history: This section provides a historical context of Malta, highlighting the influence of various cultures and rulers that shaped the island's current status as a popular destination.
3. Evaluation of a language course at Linguatime Language School in Malta in comparison to my own expectations: This chapter details the results of a student survey, comparing their initial motivations and expectations with the actual outcomes of their stay.
4. Comparison between two language schools in Malta: This part compares the course offerings, pricing structures, and accommodation options of Linguatime School of English with the international provider EF (Education First).
5. Conclusion: The author summarizes the findings of the evaluation, providing a personal assessment of the benefits of language travel and offering recommendations for improvement.
6. References: A list of sources and literature used to support the research in this paper.
7. Appendix: This section contains the questionnaires used for the survey and detailed data analysis of the participants' responses.
Key Keywords
Malta, Language Course, Linguatime, EF, Student Survey, English Learning, Education, Travel, Accommodation, Cultural Exchange, Academic Progress, Language School, Exam Preparation, Student Motivation, Tourism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this paper?
The paper examines the quality and student experience of language courses in Malta, focusing on whether these courses fulfill the participants' academic and personal expectations.
What are the central topics covered?
The research covers historical background of Malta, the structure of language programs, types of accommodation, pricing, and a direct comparison between two major language schools.
What is the primary research question?
The research explores why students choose language courses abroad, whether their expectations are met, and how different schools and accommodations impact the overall experience.
Which scientific method is used?
The author uses an empirical approach by distributing questionnaires to students at the beginning and the end of their stay to gather quantitative and qualitative data.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body focuses on the historical overview, the analysis of survey data collected at Linguatime, and a comparative study between Linguatime and EF.
What are the key terms for this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Language Course, Student Survey, Academic Progress, and Comparative Analysis.
How does the author evaluate the accommodation in Malta?
The author analyzes host families, apartments, and hotels, finding that while accommodation influences the experience, expectations regarding housing standards can vary significantly from reality.
Does the paper conclude that language courses in Malta are beneficial?
Yes, the author concludes that such trips are a unique and formative experience, highly recommended for improving English skills, despite minor issues with organization or housing.
- Quote paper
- Marlene Weber (Author), 2009, Evaluation of a Language Course in Malta, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/266077
