Sprachcaffe Language Courses are ready for the 2022/23 season!

Our COVID-safe holiday concept

Dear students and parents,

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything - from our habits to the ways we interact with one another - probably permanently. Most of us have coped with long periods of isolation and are truly looking forward to going back to 'normal' life. For this reason, Sprachcaffe has been working hard to redesign the way our language schools work by adapting to the current rules and restrictions.

We now are excited to announce that among our wonderful language schools the Club Village in Malta has officially reopened and is ready to welcome students from all over the world wanting to embark on an unforgettable learning experience! With plenty of spacious open-air options, the St. Julian's campus is the ideal choice for those that don't want to give up on the opportunity of learning English in a certified COVID-safe location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Since the safety of our students is our number one priority, social distancing and regular hygiene measures will be implemented to make sure that the experience is as educational and enjoyable as possible. We strongly advise that our students have their own medical insurance covering any additional costs such as quarantine periods or plane tickets home. Therefore, we would like everyone to read the following instructions carefully.

Before travelling

To make sure that everyone is safe, we require our students to be in perfect health before travelling. Therefore, we ask language students or their parents to sign a document confirming that:

there are no COVID-19 symptoms at the time of departure and in the 14 days prior to departure.
there has been no contact with possibly infectious individuals or people undergoing quarantine in the last 14 days.
they acknowledge that sanctions will be enforced on those that do not follow the rules implemented for the safety of Sprachcaffe students and staff, and that they will install the COVID-19 tracking app if available.

Flight and transfers

Sprachcaffe complies with safety measures implemented by international airline companies, which require travellers to wear face masks and socially distance from others at the airport as well as when boarding and disembarking the airplane.

New students shouldn't have any contact with departing ones.

For the safety of fellow students and members of staff, we reserve the right to terminate a student's Sprachcaffe learning experience if COVID-19 symptoms appear.

Accommodation

Accommodation options may be somewhat limited, as we cannot ensure accommodation with host families. If available, we recommend booking or upgrading to a single room to avoid unnecessary contact with other students.

Shared utensils will no longer be present in communal kitchens - cups, plates, and cutlery must be cleaned immediately and kept in the student's private room. Bathrooms will continue to be shared in most destinations - although common spaces will undergo more frequent and thorough sanitization.

Food services

The restaurants, bars, and cafes at Sprachcaffe's campuses have been officially certified as compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols. Extended service hours are provided to allow students and staff to maintain social distancing. When entering and exiting these locations, guests are reminded to sanitize their hands with a disinfectant located at the entrance.

Neither buffet nor self-service will be offered inside and outside the campus' premises. Instead of bottles and containers, condiments (oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, ketchup, etc.) will be provided in disposable containers. All used and unused dishes, cutlery, and glassware will be washed and disinfected in a dishwasher at high temperature. Table surfaces will be disinfected after each sitting and tables will be arranged in a way that guarantees the necessary minimum safe distance between chairs.

Packed lunches - which are prepared under highly hygienic conditions by a serving and food preparation staff trained in the use of personal protective equipment - may be served depending on the program booked.

Language classes

Sprachaffe's intention is to run our language courses completely face-to-face. However, this depends on the given contact restrictions (e.g. small number of students per class) and the physical nature of the school's premises.

If the face-to-face option is not possible, we are prepared to use a hybrid teaching model (a mix of online and offline courses) that has already been successfully tested in order to meet all hygiene and safety standards. We therefore advise students to bring their own devices, such as laptops or tablets, as a precaution. The key advantage of the hybrid teaching method is a significant increase in the course's dynamics, as teachers can take advantage of a lot of virtual opportunities.

In order to provide a safe learning environment, students and staff will wear face coverings and might be advised to follow a "one-way policy" to avoid congestion in the school's perimeter. In good weather, windows can remain open permanently or classes can be held outside (depending on the destination). We ensure that classrooms - desks, chairs, door handles, light switches, etc. - are cleaned daily, or after each class. Restrooms/bathrooms are cleaned after each break.

Anyone showing any cold or flu symptoms will be excluded from class until symptom-free. This applies to staff as well as language students.

Activities

While respecting the restrictions and hygiene requirements of each destination (such as daily temperature checks), Sprachcaffe aims to provide a variety of activities and leisure programs to truly make this an in-country language experience for all of our students.

Regardless of the situation, we are prepared for the uncertainties ahead and are going to make sure our students can enjoy their language holiday in the safest and most responsible way.

As the situation is still constantly changing, we will update the rules above according to the latest measures proposed by the respective governments.

Flexible booking options

Apart from our amazing discounts, we also want to offer you flexibility. Therefore, all new bookings made before December 31th, 2022 can be postponed or changed to another Sprachcaffe destination up to 31 days before departure, for free!

We hope to see you soon!

Alberto Sarno

CEO Sprachcaffe Languages Plus