Rebecca Bonnici's career in English language education began in the classroom, but over nearly three decades it has developed into a much wider journey spanning academic leadership, educational tourism, business growth and industry representation.

Ms Bonnici began teaching English in 1997 and joined BELS English Language Schools in 2000. BELS had been founded in Gozo in 1995, with its first two years devoted to the careful restoration of the traditional Gozitan farmhouse that became the company’s original school.

BELS Gozo welcomed its first students in 1997. When Ms Bonnici joined three years later, she became involved in different areas of the operation, including teaching, academic management, accommodation, administration, payments, sales and international business development.

This broad grounding gave her a practical understanding of the complete student journey and the interconnected nature of an educational tourism business.

Following the retirement of BELS’s founder, Ms Bonnici took over the ownership and leadership of the company. One of the most significant early milestones under her leadership was the opening of BELS Malta in St Paul’s Bay in 2010.

The Malta school allowed BELS to offer a livelier main-island experience alongside the boutique environment of the original Gozo school. Today, BELS Malta serves adults, young adults, juniors, families and international groups, while BELS Gozo provides a quieter, adult-only learning environment.

For Ms Bonnici, the BELS product has never been limited to classroom tuition.

Her approach is built around three equally important areas: academics, accommodation and activities. BELS therefore manages not only English programmes but also accommodation, airport transfers, activities and student support, taking responsibility for the student’s journey from arrival through to departure.

The company now works with an established international partner network and welcomes students from a broad range of countries and age groups. It also delivers professional and corporate English programmes for Maltese companies and organisations.

Academic credibility remains central to Ms Bonnici’s leadership. BELS is accredited by FELTOM and Eaquals, licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority and accredited by Green Standard Schools. Its portfolio also includes MFHEA-recognised MQF Level 5 professional English awards.

Rebecca is currently leading the company’s largest development to date: a new purpose-built residential language school in Buġibba.

The project will bring classrooms, accommodation and shared student facilities together within one operation, increasing BELS’s capacity and strengthening its long-term contribution to Malta’s educational tourism sector.

Alongside her work at BELS, Ms Bonnici contributes to national and international discussions surrounding education, tourism, service-sector development and business policy.

She is a Council Member of The Malta Chamber, Deputy Chairperson of its Service Providers Economic Group and a member of its Tourism Committee. She also serves on the Education Malta Board of Governors and the Board of ALTO and is a former Chairperson of FELTOM.

Her leadership combines academic foundations with commercial experience and a direct understanding of school operations. As BELS moves into its next chapter, her focus remains on sustainable growth, academic quality and ensuring that every part of the student experience lives up to the company’s long-standing passion for learning.

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