EDreframe launches summer future skills lab in Gozo: A creative incubator for young adults

While summer in Gozo is often associated with sun, sea, and relaxation, one local resident is offering something a little different. Sondes Gharbi, founder of the learning design studio EDreframe, has announced the launch of a new Summer Future Skills Lab; a small-group creative space designed for young people aged 16 to 22 who want more than a passive holiday.

The lab is not a traditional classroom. There are no worksheets or rigid exam drills. Instead, participants work on real-world projects, share ideas, solve challenges, and meet other curious, ambitious individuals in a safe and supportive environment. The goal is simple: to build confidence, communication, creativity, and transferable skills while actually making things together.

The first module begins on 22 June, and focuses on a range of practical, creative disciplines. Participants will learn to produce podcasts and audio storytelling, pitch ideas with clarity and conviction, and develop real-world communication and collaboration skills. The programme also covers the creative and ethical use of AI tools, as well as producing short documentaries and group projects. Rather than isolating English as a subject to be tested, the lab uses English as the medium for creation, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The programme is built on EDreframe's core philosophy: English is best learned through communication, creativity, and real-world creation; not isolated grammar exercises or exam-focused drills. Participants leave with portfolio-ready work and the kind of practical competence that matters in higher education, creative industries, and professional settings.

The lab is intentionally intimate, with a maximum of ten participants per cohort. This ensures that each young person receives individual attention, meaningful feedback, and the space to develop ideas without the pressure of a large group. Gharbi, who has presented at IATEFL and the University of Oxford on AI integration and project-based learning, designed the programme to bridge the gap between academic English and the skills employers and universities actually value.

"Young people today have access to infinite information but often lack structured spaces to practice communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. This lab is that space. It is not about teaching English as a subject. It is about using English to do something interesting and valuable with other people. The confidence and skills they build here will serve them long after summer ends," said Gharbi. 

Each module is available at €350 and is fully tax deductible. Interested participants or their families can learn more and apply for the first cohort directly through the EDreframe website: https://edreframe.com/#summer-future-skills-lab