Malta is an island in the centre of the Mediterranean 100 km south of Italy, enjoying sunny 
weather practically all the year round. The skies are invariably blue and the sea is warm even in winter which has made Malta popular with water sport enthusiasts. It is the ideal place for scuba diving, skiing, swimming, sailing, windsurfing and water polo. Most sports facilities are available on the island including golf, tennis and horse-riding. The English Language Academy is set in the popular holiday resort and residential area of Sliema and close to St. Julian’s, Ta’ Xbiex and Valletta. Malta and its smaller sister island, Gozo, are rich in history. Malta is full of prehistoric temples (the oldest surviving standing man-made temples.)
The Auberges and the formidable fortifications of the Knights of St. John are still in a remarkable state of preservation. Valletta, the capital of Malta, and Mdina, the capital city before the coming of the Knights of Saint John, boast of many art galleries and museums.
The Cathedral of the Knights of St. John, in Valletta, is unique for its architecture, paintings and its pavement covered with the coats of arms of the most illustrious families of Europe. Among the many treasures in the cathedral one can find Caravaggio’s “St. Jerome” and his only signed masterpiece “The Beheading of St. John”. The Manoel in all its Baroque finery is one of Europe’s oldest theatres.
In spite of its size, Malta is a modern country teeming with life, commerce and industry. In summer, particularly, there is an air of festivity throughout the whole island – the seaside is dotted with the fire of a thousand barbecues, and every weekend, there are feasts in different towns and villages in a blaze of colour and with incomparable firework displays. With 160 years under British rule, Malta is the most British place in Europe and the Mediterranean. Most newsagents sell English daily newspapers. Students coming to Malta have every opportunity to practise their English since the language is widely spoken.
