English Courses in Malta

Why choose Malta to take English courses?

Malta, an English-speaking country

A former British colony from 1814 to 1964, Malta has kept English as an official language alongside Maltese. This is a genuinely English-speaking environment where daily life and leisure happen in English. Every interaction becomes a chance to put your language skills into practice.

An outstanding climate

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Malta enjoys a unique Mediterranean climate: no more of the grey skies and showers so typical of Ireland or the UK. Here, lessons on the terrace, cultural outings and outdoor activities all come together to make learning more enjoyable and more effective.

A budget under control

English courses in Malta cost, on average, 20% to 40% less than in the UK. The cost of living (accommodation, food, transport) is also considerably lower than in the main European destinations. It is an ideal destination for an affordable language stay.

Exceptional cultural heritage and coastline

Malta is among the most popular European tourist destinations thanks to its heritage and its coastline. That heritage is both rich and varied: megalithic temples, medieval citadels and baroque cities, starting with the capital, Valletta. The Maltese coast is just as spectacular, with its turquoise waters and outstanding natural sites such as the Blue Lagoon, the Blue Grotto and the dizzying cliffs of Dingli. Millions of travellers come to visit Malta every year, and this remarkable backdrop will enrich your language immersion between English lessons.

A vibrant, cosmopolitan setting

Ideally located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Malta welcomes students and travellers from all over the world every year. This cultural mix encourages exchange: conversation clubs, international events, student nights and more. St Julian’s, famous for its lively atmosphere and nightlife, is the most iconic example. These are all opportunities to practise English with a wide variety of people, whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner.

Types of English courses in Malta

English courses in Malta are designed to international standards. Certified English schools in Malta offer a wide range of options in terms of duration, intensity and content, for all ages and levels.

General English courses

The general English course (General English 20), also known as GE20, is the most popular format among students in Malta.

Whatever the school, it consists of 20 lessons of 45 minutes per week (15 hours of tuition) spread over a half-day (morning or afternoon). Lessons are delivered in small groups of 10 to 15 students, depending on the school. Students are placed in classes of a similar level, from Beginner (A1) to Advanced (C1). The programme covers conversation, grammar, listening and reading comprehension, as well as interactive speaking exercises.

Intensive general English courses

The intensive English course (General English 30 or Intensive English), also known as GE30, follows the same format as general English but with more class hours.

Whatever the school, the intensive programme (General English 30) consists of 30 lessons of 45 minutes per week (22.5 hours). Delivered in small groups of 10 to 15 students, these lessons run in both the morning and the afternoon. The additional modules focus mainly on speaking and conversation, while reinforcing grammar and reading and listening comprehension to avoid overlap with the GE20.

Business English

Business English is a course taught in small groups and designed to improve English for professional purposes. Open only to learners at level B1 or above, this programme (15 or 22.5 hours per week) puts the emphasis on using the language in a work context. Practical exercises such as role-play meetings and conversation workshops help you consolidate your skills in real situations. Classes, limited to 6 students, rely mainly on practical case studies to build your language independence in a professional setting.

English exam preparation courses (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge)

Exam preparation courses are designed to help students reach their target score in one of the four main international English tests: TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge. Available as 15 or 22.5 hours per week, they combine exam strategies, mock tests under real conditions, focused correction of listening and reading comprehension and writing exercises to maximise results and your chances of passing the exam you are aiming for.

English courses for young learners

English courses for children and teenagers in Malta are available for 8 to 17 year-olds during the main European school holidays. Young learners are grouped by age and level and follow a programme of 15 or 22.5 hours per week combining conversation, grammar and comprehension. Junior language stays in Malta come with a full activity programme to ensure constant English immersion.

“Plus” courses for adults

“Plus” courses are offered to students over 30, 40 or 50, depending on the school, in a 15 or 22.5 hour per week format. These programmes cover the same content as general or intensive English courses, but with classes reserved for a single age group, making it easier to settle in, improving interaction and strengthening peer learning among more mature students.

Private and semi-private lessons

Private and semi-private lessons (up to two students) are available at every school. These tailor-made options let you book as many lessons as you like and target your goals precisely: conversation, grammar, professional terminology, report writing, role-play meetings and so on. Depending on the school, it is also possible to focus the lessons on specific themes.

How to choose an English school in Malta?

There are currently 32 official English schools across the Maltese archipelago. Choosing a school to take English courses in Malta is therefore no easy task.

The first step is to choose a school that holds ELT Council certification. Accreditation guarantees that the school is official and recognised by the Maltese government as an English learning centre. Only schools holding this licence are genuinely qualified to deliver English courses in Malta.

Then, depending on your profile, your goal, your budget and the length of stay you want, many options are open to you. Since every project is unique, we handle and advise each student on a case-by-case basis. If you would like a full review of your plans for a stay in Malta, do not hesitate to get in touch.

What budget should you plan for English courses in Malta?

It is worth knowing that the price of English courses in Malta varies from school to school and according to how long the student commits for; rates decrease with duration. For the same course and the same period, the weekly price for a student staying one week will differ from that of a student booked in for 24 weeks.

It is important to understand each school’s pricing tiers to secure the best rates; it is not unusual, for example, for an eight-week stay to cost less than a seven-week one.

Finally, rates also change with the season. During the high season, between June and August, schools generally add a surcharge of €20 to €30 per week on the weeks concerned. This surcharge is sometimes waived for long stays (over 21 or 24 weeks), depending on the school.

Prices of English courses in Malta

A quick look at the average pricing of the English courses offered by schools, outside the high season and any promotional offers.

Practical information about English courses in Malta

How English courses work

Lessons run from Monday to Friday, all year round. Students can enrol for courses lasting from one week up to a full year (48 weeks). Students arrive in Malta at the weekend and are placed in a class of a similar level.

Level classes are refreshed on a rolling basis as students leave and arrive throughout the year. When a student’s level improves, they are moved up to a higher-level class. Tests are held at the end of each week to reshuffle the classes according to students’ progress.

On Malta’s official public holidays, lessons are not held and are not made up. For students coming on a short stay (one to two weeks), it is important to check this point, as it can be a real drawback.

Level test

To help students settle in and learn, classes are made up of students with a similar level of English (matched levels). The levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:

• A1 – Breakthrough / Beginner: Understanding and using simple everyday expressions.
• A2 – Pre-intermediate: Basic communication on familiar topics.
• B1 – Intermediate: Understanding the main points of everyday topics (work, studies, leisure).
• B2 – Upper-intermediate: Understanding more advanced texts and interacting with native speakers without much effort.
• C1 – Advanced: Command of the language across a variety of contexts and on complex subjects.
• C2 – Proficiency (native level): Understanding and communicating with ease.

Before joining a class, every student must take an online level test 14 days before lessons begin. Some schools add an oral interview.

At the end, a theoretical level is assigned, which determines the class the student is placed in.

Frequently asked questions about English courses in Malta (FAQ)