Meet Fernanda Squarzoni, our new Sales and Marketing Director.
A former exchange student, a psychologist, a marketer and a natural relationship nurturer with a history of senior positions with top international schools, Berlitz | ELA is proud to announce the newly appointed Sales and Marketing Director, Fernanda Squarzoni.
What sparked your passion for language learning and education?
With over 15 years’ experience in the education sector, particularly with international exchange programs, my passion for traveling and experiencing new cultures ignited long before my professional journey began. This passion was first sparked by a graduation trip with my classmates to Bariloche, Argentina. Since then, my travels have never ceased!
As a former exchange student, I spent a year in Australia, another year in London and seven years in Malta. I therefore have first-hand experience with the challenges and opportunities students encounter abroad. These experiences underscore the importance of adaptability, cultural immersion, and the profound impact of learning new languages.
Reflecting on my career, I feel fortunate to have spent so many years in this industry. Our work transcends the mere provision of products or services. We help students realise their dreams, develop essential skills, and create life-changing, unforgettable experiences abroad.
You finally settled to live in Malta with your family, what made you choose Malta ?
When I decided to move to Malta, the main factors that helped me and my family to make this decision were:
- A country that has English as one of its two official languages.
- A safe and welcoming environment for foreigners with children.
- An educational system that can offer a variety of very good options:
- International schools for my daughter.
- Immersive English schools for my husband as he needs to focus on developing his English level at the beginning.
- Universities and post-graduate programmes that we can consider in the long term.
- A country with excellent weather, surrounded by beaches and the sea, where we can follow our dream of achieving a good balance between our working and personal lives and thus enjoy a better quality of life.
After going through a long list of possibilities, we found Malta! This lovely, little island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea that has so much to offer! And we fell in love with it!
What sets Berlitz | ELA Malta apart from other English language schools?
Earlier this year we moved to our fantastic new location in gorgeous Balluta Bay, St Julian’s.
I firmly believe in the necessity of staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements to meet the evolving expectations of new generations and provide the best possible experience for all students. We have therefore added cutting-edge, state-of-the-art Promethean interactive boards to all our classrooms, delivering an innovative, customisable, and engaging learning experience.
Our school’s dedication to excellence encompasses every stage of the booking process. This includes :
- Regular, informative communication with agents and students prior to arrival
- Welcoming of students to Malta and our school
- Assistance and support throughout their stay, and follow-up and feedback after their departure.
What are the opportunities and strengths that made you join Berlitz | ELA ?
Choosing to join Berlitz | ELA was easy! Primarily because of their commitment to quality and customer service. A professional language school fully-licensed by the ELT Council and one of the founding members of FELTOM (the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations of Malta). And secondly because the school is part of the respected SMS Group, one of the longest-established private group of companies in Malta, operating locally and internationally in over 10 different countries for more than 150 years.
The Group is a family business with over 500 employees and has interests in Travel, Tourism, Shipping, Insurance, Logistics, and Corporate Services. This gives me and my family and, of course, my clients the security of being under the umbrella of a consolidated international Group.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role at Berlitz | ELA Malta?
One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Berlitz | English Language Academy in Malta is that we offer a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Founded in 1988, English Language Academy has 36 years of established excellence and constant improvement in the beautiful Maltese Islands. In 2023 we decided to embrace the internationally-acclaimed Berlitz teaching methodology and thus became Berlitz | English Language Academy.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their English language learning journey, what would it be?
I always advise students that are planning an exchange programme to thoroughly research their destination and the school, approach their experience with an open mind, immerse themselves in the culture, speak English as much as possible, and seize every opportunity to learn something new each day.
In your experience, what are the biggest challenges students face when visiting Malta?
One significant challenge that students face upon arriving in Malta is accessing reliable information to start and navigate their daily life here, especially those with limited English proficiency. Basic tasks like using public transport, obtaining a bus card, finding long-term accommodation, looking for a job or just setting up a local SIM card can be stressful. Providing comprehensive support ensures students feel safe and confident, giving them peace of mind.
In conclusion, working in an environment that fosters personal growth and development, integrating innovation for an engaging learning experience, and immersing oneself in a new culture on a Mediterranean island is incredibly fulfilling.
At Berlitz | English Language Academy we value quality, we value our collaborators, clients, and students, and we strive to bring out the best in everyone. This is the experience we aim to provide to all our students and partners!
