BELS Gozo
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BELS Gozo is located near the beautiful village of Kercem on Malta’s sister island of Gozo. Gozo, famous for its blue seas, red sandy beaches, and unspoilt distinctive character, provides a perfect environment for English learning where students can study while enjoying friendly and tranquil surroundings. The school offers a range of adventure-packed activities that students are sure to enjoy during their time in Gozo.
Gozo is the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago, with a population of approximately 30,000. Though separated from Malta by only 5 km, Gozo is distinctly different from Malta. It is rural, more tranquil, and its culture and way of life are rooted in tradition, yet open to the present. Gozo and its inhabitants have their own distinct character and identity, with noticeably different lifestyles, accents and dialect. Gozitans are known for their friendliness and warm welcome, and go out of their way to help a visitor feel at home.
BELS GOZO AT A GLANCE
- Year of foundation: 1997
- Location: Gozo, Malta
- Position in Gozo: Kercem (countryside)
- Minimum age in adult school: 16
- Number of students in school: average 35, maximum 80
- Main type of public transport in Gozo: Buses, bicycles rented directly from the school
- Approximate number of nationalities in school each year: 12 – 15
BELS Gozo: Triq ta’ Doti, Kerċem, Gozo, Malta
“I have been working with BELS since the beginning of my career, and I have known the owner, Rebecca, and her father Donald, for just as long. Gozo is the sister island to Malta, but it is a radically different place to the St Julians/Sliema/Valletta area, where most of the language schools on Malta are located. All of the people I have sent to Gozo asked for it by name when they requested an English course there. They were adults who were tended to be older than the average student at language schools—at least 30, and typically older—and they were able to appreciate Gozo’s absolute tranquility as a serious place to study. It is also ideal as just a place for busy adults to relax. I visited Malta and Gozo myself on the occasion of an international school workshop held there, in the beginning of May, the absolute busiest and most stressful period for persons working in this industry, and I remember that even after a relatively short time, the tenseness and worry I felt for being out of the office began to melt away. Such were the almost wild, natural surroundings of the school, and the friendliness of the Maltese people in general. The clients I have sent there have been very happy with BELS, for the quality of the teaching and the personal attention they receive due to the small classes and size of the school in general, and the activities that the school organizes for its students. It is the perfect place to go for quiet, for tons of sunshine and a culture (a perfect blend of European, British and ancient and modern Mediterranean) that is truly unique to the rest of Europe. Then when students want a little more action, the Island of Malta is just half an hour away by ferry.”
BELS Gozo
Why study English at BELS Gozo?
There are many, many English language schools in Malta for English language learning. BELS Gozo distinguishes itself in the following ways:
- BELS is an owner-run organization built on core values of supplying quality service, being small and remaining client-focused.
- BELS Gozo is located in one of the most beautiful surroundings on the island of Gozo.
- BELS Gozo is the only school open all year round on the quaint island of Gozo.
- BELS is accredited by ELT, and a member of the prestigious IALC association, a recognition that is more difficult to attain than many others.
- BELS teachers undergo regular Continuous Professional Development (performance appraisal interviews, attendance of workshops and seminars) to ensure the highest standard of teaching.
- BELZ Gozo is able to offer an adventure-packed social program in which students may take part after school.
- BELS Gozo has a good nationality mix, with students from over 15 countries
- The courses are competitively priced and offer excellent value for money.
- The school is able to offer excellent homestays and its own student residences and apartments.
The facilities
BELS FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- 9 bright classrooms with air-conditioning and interactive white boards
- Free Wi-Fi
- Self-access library and study facilities
- Sun terrace
- Garden
- Snack, drinks, and coffee vending machines
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Self-Access Library
The BELS Gozo self-access center/library is equipped with a variety of learning tools such as dictionaries, DVDs and graded readers for students to borrow.
Student Welfare
All staff and teachers are available to support students in a professional and confidential manner with any problems that might arise while they are away from home.
Personal Attention
Small classes ensure students are given personalized attention, feedback on their progress and numerous opportunities for interaction with their teachers.
The courses
GENERAL ENGLISH AND EXAMINATION COURSES
- Minimum age: 16 years
- Entry level: A1 elementary
- Course length: Minimum 1 week
- Lesson length: 45 minutes
- Start date: Every Monday
- Class size: average 10, maximum 12
Standard Course
The Standard program focuses on giving the learner balanced practice in both systems and skills using general topics. The aim of this type of English language course is to improve the students’ comprehension of grammar and increase their vocabulary.
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (15 hours)
- Timetable: 9:15 – 12:45 Monday to Friday
Intensive Course
The Intensive English course includes ten extra lessons per week in the afternoon. The additional 10 afternoon lessons focus on fluency, dedicating plenty of time to confidence-building speaking practice, error correction and feedback.
- Number of lessons per week: 30 (22.5 hours)
- Timetable: 9:15 – 14:45 Monday to Friday
General English Mini
The limited number of students in class and the additional lessons provide the opportunity for more individual attention and focus on the English skills, as well as more contact with the teacher.
- Number of lessons per week: 20 (15 hours) or 30 (22.5 hours)
- Timetable: 9:15 – 12:45 Monday to Friday
- Class size: average 4, maximum 6
Combination
At BELS, students may choose to combine General English group lessons and General English or English for Specific Purposes individual lessons.
- Number of lessons per week: 20 group lessons (15 hours) + 5 or 10 individual lessons
- Timetable: 9:15 – 12:45 group lesson and 08:15-09:00 or 13:15-14:45 individual lessons Monday to Friday
- Class size: maximum 12
Individual Lessons – General English or English for Specific Purposes (Business, Exams, Academic)
BELS offers two types of individual lessons: one-to-one or two-to-one. Students can choose from a variety of academic programs, in both General English and English for Specific Purposes. Students may choose to take 5, 10 or 20 individual lessons per week.
Students have the following options for English for Specific Purposes:
- Business English/ English for Work
The Business English Program has been designed to develop business communication skills and expand vocabulary related to such business topics as meetings, presentations, telephoning, negotiating, email writing, etc.
- Examination Preparation Classes
BELS offers examination preparation classes for the following exams: Cambridge KET, PET, FCE and CAE, IELTS and TOEFL.
- English for Academic Purposes
This academic program is designed for students who are planning to do a university degree in an English speaking country. The main objective is to develop learners’ receptive and productive skills that they will need in order to be able to attend university lectures, participate in seminars and discussions, do research and write various course papers.
- English for Specific Professions (Law, Medicine, Finance, Aviation, etc.)
Such specialized programs are tailored to meet the needs of students who come from a particular professional background and who need to acquire specific English language terminology (professional jargon) that will enable them to apply their knowledge and experience in an English speaking environment.
HOST FAMILY
One of the best ways to learn more about the people of Gozo and the Gozitian culture is to choose homestay accommodation. All homestays are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure consistently high standards. The school and Marshall Language Services recommend this form of accommodation the most for language learning. Family life is informal and the people are welcoming, friendly and talkative, so students will have plenty of opportunities to practice their English with native speakers. By booking homestay accommodation, students will also not have to worry about shopping for food and preparing meals every day. Mealtimes are often the occasions in which families converse most with the students.
Additional homestay provisions and information:
- Single rooms (or twin rooms for 2 people travelling together)
- Meals: Half-Board
- Host families provide all bed linens and towels, and weekly cleaning
- Maximum walking distance from host families is 55 minutes. The school has 2 families located in Kercem and others in villages across the island.
- Homestay accommodation is from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Extra nights are possible at an additional cost.
STUDENT RESIDENCE
BELS Superior Residence
The Bels Superior Residence is located in Victoria, the capital of Gozo, about a 25-minute walk from the school or 10 minutes by bus. It consists of 2 apartments, each with 4 bedrooms. Two of the 4 bedrooms have an ensuite bathroom (which can be booked by customers at an additional cost). All rooms enjoy lots of natural light and air-conditioning.
BELS Superior Residence also offers:
- A fully-furnished room with study space
- Single or twin rooms
- Bed linen and towels supplied and changed once a week
- Communal living/dining area with TV and telephone
- Fully-equipped shared kitchen
- Shared bathroom
- Private bathroom available at an additional charge
- Free Wi-Fi in living area
- TV
SELF-CATERING APARTMENTS
BELS Gozo Countryside Apartments
The BELS country view self–catering apartments are located in a quiet street in Kerċem and enjoy wonderful country views from large terraces. This accommodation is about 5 minutes’ walk to school, a 3 minute walk to the village center of Kerċem and a 25-minute walk to the capital Victoria.
Countryside view apartments also offers:
- 1 or 2 bedrooms
- Large living/dining room
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Bathroom
- Free Wi-Fi
Seaside View Apartments in Xlendi
The BELS sea view apartments are located in Xlendi, a seaside village in the south west of Gozo. Available all year round, the sea view apartments are 2 minutes away from the sea. Each apartment can accommodate up to 4 people.
Seaside view apartments also offer:
- 1 or 2 bedrooms
- Dining/Living room
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Bathroom/shower room
- Free Wi-Fi
HOTELS
Upon request, BELS may book a choice of hotels to suit all budgets.
Insurance
Insurance covering medical and travel assistance, personal liability and trip cancellation is not included in the price of the program. Marshall Language Services has a policy available through Guard.Me that covers these elements, as well as an additional policy through CareMed that covers cancellation under a wider range of circumstances, including the need to repeat school exams. A summary of these policies may be downloaded below.
Dates and Fees
Calculate your own approximate quote
The following tool will help you to get a good idea of the cost of a language course and accommodation, if requested, at this school. It may not include all the courses and accommodation options available or take into account promotional offers or costs associated with student visas, insurance, study materials or exam fees. For these reasons, the availability of any course, accommodation option (especially in the high season) and the final price of a package will always have to be verified with Marshall Language Services prior to enrolment.
Contact us for information about dates & prices
Other Programs by this School
BELS MALTA
BELS offers adult and junior courses in its school located in Malta. Please contact us for more information.
BELS JUNIORS
BELS offers junior camps during Easter, Summer and Autumn for teenagers aged betweeen 11 to 17 in its school located in Malta. Please contact us for more information.
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