Ranking of English schools in Malta
Discover the top 10 language schools in 2026 for a study trip to Malta, among the 32 English schools on the island.
Top 10 English schools in Malta
Ranking based on teaching quality, accreditations, facilities and student reviews
-
#1
European School of English (ESE)
ESE Building, Paceville Avenue, St. Julian's, STJ 3103
ESE (European School of English) is the largest English school in Malta, in St Julian’s, on the edge of Paceville. With 60 classrooms, modern facilities and a wide choice of accommodation, it caters equally to adults, juniors and families. Backed by over 30 years’ experience and many accreditations, it remains a benchmark school on the island.
-
#2
Institute of English Language Studies (IELS)
Mattew Pulis Street, Sliema, SLM 3052
IELS (Institute of English Language Studies) is one of the largest English schools in Malta, in Sliema, a stone’s throw from the seafront. Its 45 classrooms and its recognised academic department ensure very high teaching standards. Open to adults, juniors and families, it offers several types of accommodation, including the popular Days Inn residence.
-
#3
ACE English Malta
Bay Street Complex, Level 4, St. George's Bay, St. Julian's, STJ 3311
ACE English Malta is a modern school in the heart of St Julian’s, in the lively Bay Street complex. Its 25 bright classrooms, recent facilities and location a stone’s throw from St George’s beach make an ideal setting. It caters mainly to adults and young adults, in a friendly international atmosphere.
-
#4
EC Malta
Marguerite Mangion Street, St. Julian's, STJ 3180
EC Malta is one of the largest English schools in Malta, in St Julian’s, in the lively Paceville district. Its 44 classrooms spread over several floors and its recognised academic department ensure quality teaching. It even has a separate floor, EC Malta 30+, dedicated to adults over 30 for an environment suited to professionals.
-
#5
EF International Language Campuses - Malta
The Mayfair Business Centre, Lower St. Augustine Street, St. George's Bay, St. Julian's, STJ 3312
EF Malta is one of the largest schools on the island, part of the international Education First group. Its 29 classrooms, its own students-only Beach Club and its distinctive teaching approach (40-minute lessons including projects and lectures) set it apart. It welcomes both adults and teenagers, but charges clearly higher fees than the Maltese average.
-
#6
Maltalingua School of English
2, Birkirkara Hill, St. Julian's, STJ 1141
Maltalingua is a small British-owned school in St Julian’s, in the sought-after Balluta Bay area. Its 14 classrooms, family atmosphere and rooftop pool offer a warm setting, less than 100 metres from the promenade to Sliema. Regularly nominated for the ST Star Awards, it welcomes adults, juniors and families with qualified native teachers.
-
#7
Clubclass English Language Campus
104, Triq is-Sidra, Swieqi, St. Julian's, SWQ 3150
Clubclass is a medium-sized school in Swieqi, a quiet residential area of Malta. Its concept is unique: its 31 classrooms, residences, pool, gym and restaurant are all within the same complex, for total immersion. It welcomes adults, juniors and families at particularly competitive prices, in a safe, well-connected setting.
-
#8
Inlingua School of Languages
92, Tigne Street, Sliema, SLM 3172
inlingua Malta is a medium-sized school in Sliema, a few streets from the ferry to Valletta. Its 18 classrooms rely on the inlingua teaching method developed in Switzerland, with exclusive course materials. Part of an international network present in 39 countries, it welcomes adults and juniors in a highly sought-after shopping district.
-
#9
BELS Malta
550 West, St. Paul's Street, St. Paul's Bay
BELS Malta is a human-scale school in St Paul’s Bay, in the north of the island, with a second school in Gozo. Its 14 modern classrooms and its Eaquals accreditation ensure quality teaching in a warm atmosphere. Open to adults, juniors and families, it offers more affordable prices in a quiet, residential setting near the sea.
-
#10
Easy School of Languages
21, St. Ursula Street, Valletta, VLT 1230
Easy School of Languages is a medium-sized school in the heart of Valletta, Malta’s historic capital. Its 17 classrooms, in an authentic setting, offer a unique environment for total immersion in Maltese culture. Its higher average age makes it an ideal option for adults, especially over-30s.
The ranking of language schools in Malta
Our 2026 ranking of Maltese schools is an indicative ranking meant to give students a reference point when choosing the school best suited for a study trip to Malta. It aims to help decision-making among the 32 English schools in Malta. Depending on each student’s profile and goals, some schools will be more or less suitable, so we recommend contacting us directly for a full review of your project.
For our ranking, only schools holding the ELT licence are considered. Accreditations, feedback from the students we support and any anomalies noted during school visits are all factored in. Among the many accreditations, labels and affiliations of English schools, we choose to give weight to three of them: Eaquals, IALC and Cambridge English. In our view, these are genuine marks of quality for assessing each school’s teaching, in particular the level of the teachers, the quality of the English courses (methodology and materials) and that of the academic department.
Questions about the ranking of language schools in Malta
What is the best English school in Malta?
There is no single “best” school in Malta. The best school depends on several criteria specific to each student: budget, location, type of course, age and the atmosphere sought. Schools such as ESE, EC and IELS are generally seen as the leading trio, notably for their recognised teaching quality.
How are the schools ranked here?
Our ranking takes several criteria into account: teaching quality, international accreditations, facilities and equipment, verified student reviews, years of experience and value for money. Each school is assessed objectively against these standards.
Why aren’t school ratings a reliable source?
The most commercial, high-volume schools systematically ask every satisfied student for a 5-star review, especially juniors at the end of their stay. The result is a large number of reviews and an artificially inflated average. A serious but more discreet school does not do this: its displayed rating is often lower, at equal or higher teaching quality. Online ratings should therefore be read with caution and are not enough to assess a school.
Are all the ranked schools accredited?
Yes, every school in our ranking holds the ELT (English Language Teaching) licence issued by the Maltese Ministry of Education. This accreditation is mandatory and guarantees that the school meets strict quality standards. Many also hold additional international accreditations.
How much do prices differ across the top 10?
Fees vary with reputation, location and facilities. EF is the most expensive school in Malta. Premium schools such as ESE or EC are generally 20% more expensive than smaller ones. Others such as IELS or Maltalingua offer very good value. Overall, schools in St Julian’s or Sliema are often pricier than those further out.
Can I visit a school before booking?
Yes, you can visit the schools’ facilities before committing; however, free trial lessons are rarely available. In practice, few students visit before committing, as that means already being on site: most book before travelling to Malta.
Are small schools worse than large ones?
No, size is not necessarily a quality criterion. Large schools (ESE, EC, EF) offer more courses and facilities, but medium-sized schools (BELS, Maltalingua) often provide more personalised teaching and a family atmosphere. One thing to bear in mind: smaller schools with fewer than 15 classrooms can find it harder to form classes with a consistent level among students.