FELTOM
Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta
About FELTOM
FELTOM (Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta) is the driving force behind high standards in English language education across Malta and Gozo. Established on December 5, 1989, by a group of forward-thinking language schools, FELTOM has played a key role in shaping the English Language Teaching (ELT) industry in Malta for over 35 years.
As a self-regulating nonprofit organization, FELTOM represents 14 accredited English Language Schools across Malta and Gozo. The federation's primary objective is to enhance the standard of English language education for international students in Malta. FELTOM is dedicated to setting and maintaining quality standards across accredited English language schools, promoting professionalism within the language education sector, ensuring student welfare by advocating for ethical and high-quality learning environments, and collaborating with authorities to uphold Malta's reputation as a top destination for English language learning.
FELTOM's work is centered around three key pillars:
- Quality Assurance: Maintaining academic excellence while ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching experience for students through the FELTOM Accreditation Scheme.
- Advocacy: Shaping legislation and regulations that protect and support member schools while driving the growth of the TEFL sector in Malta. FELTOM was instrumental in creating the world's first law regulating English language schools and is recognized under the ELTC legislation (Legal Notice of 2015) as the only official ELT association in Malta.
- Marketing & Promotion: Ensuring that Malta remains a top destination for English language learning through targeted marketing campaigns, participation in international fairs, building partnerships with international agents, and promoting FELTOM-accredited schools as leaders in quality education.
Membership Requirements
To become a FELTOM-accredited school, institutions must meet rigorous standards through the FELTOM Accreditation Scheme, which was launched in 2006. The accreditation process is overseen by the FELTOM Accreditation Council, and schools undergo regular audits to verify compliance. The accreditation requirements include:
- Leadership and Management
- Learning and Teaching
- Student Welfare (including Accommodation)
- Premises and Facilities
- Recruitment of Learners
- Care of Minors
- Meeting Six Key Criteria Areas:
- Full accreditation is granted on a three-year cycle
- Schools must complete internal audits including self-assessment
- Schools must prepare a portfolio of 34+ documents
- Schools must meet all 6 criteria areas
- Inspections are conducted by qualified and impartial inspectors appointed by the Council
- Inspectors define accreditation status based on thorough evaluations
- Accreditation Process:
- Interim review visits at years 2 and 3 ensure continuous compliance
- Schools must maintain review quality standards
- Less formal/shorter inspections are conducted during review visits
- Minimum of 6 criteria must be maintained
- Ongoing Compliance:
- Inspectors must have one or more of the following: experience in a supervisory teaching role, engineering or legal field, senior management, marketing, or accounting position
- Inspectors must have at least two years as an inspector for an international standards organization
- Academic inspectors must have post-graduate level (NQF Level 7) in TESOL
- Inspector Requirements:
By maintaining these high standards, FELTOM ensures that accredited schools provide a safe, effective, and enriching learning environment for students.
Complaint & Arbitration Procedure
While specific complaint and arbitration procedures are not explicitly detailed on the website, FELTOM's role as a quality assurance body suggests that it would have mechanisms in place to address concerns and mediate disputes related to its member schools. As the only officially recognized ELT association in Malta, FELTOM likely serves as a point of contact for students who have issues with accredited schools and would work to resolve these issues in accordance with its commitment to student welfare and high-quality education.
The federation's close collaboration with authorities and its role in shaping legislation for the ELT sector indicates that it would be involved in ensuring that complaints are properly addressed and that appropriate arbitration procedures are followed when necessary.
General Information
Year of Foundation: December 5, 1989
Total Number of Members: 14 accredited English Language Schools across Malta and Gozo
Geographic Focus: Malta and Gozo
Organisation Type: Self-regulating nonprofit organization / Federation
Key Milestones:
- Founded in 1989 by forward-thinking language schools
- Launched the FELTOM Accreditation Scheme in 2006
- Played a pivotal role in establishing the world's first law regulating English language schools
- Recognized under the ELTC legislation (Legal Notice of 2015) as the only official ELT association in Malta
Leadership:
- Karl Farrugia Wismayer - Chairperson
- Joe Aquilina - Vice-Chairperson
- Simon Mifsud - Secretary
- Daniel Mangani - Treasurer
- Jessica Rees-Jones - Chief Executive Officer
- Julie Davis - Senior Executive Officer
- Rebecca Bonnici - Board Member
- Ingmar Albig - Board Member
- Patricia Marshall - Board Member
Activities:
- Setting and maintaining quality standards through the accreditation scheme
- Advocating for policies that support the growth of the ELT sector
- Marketing and promoting Malta as a destination for English language learning
- Participating in international fairs and events
- Building partnerships with international agents and stakeholders
- Publishing editorials in industry publications
- Hosting workshops, conferences, and networking events
- Supporting professional development in the ELT sector
Contact Information
FELTOM (Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta)
The Exchange Building
64 Republic Street
Valletta, VLT 1117
Malta
Phone: +356 2131 0927
Email: info@feltom.com
Website: https://feltom.com/
Social Media:
Key Features:
- Only officially recognized ELT association in Malta
- Represents 14 accredited English Language Schools
- Operates a rigorous accreditation scheme with regular audits
- Played a key role in creating the world's first law regulating English language schools
- Focuses on quality assurance, advocacy, and promotion of the ELT sector
- Ensures high standards across six key criteria areas
- Committed to student welfare and educational excellence
- Over 35 years of experience in the ELT industry