Learn English in Malta

For adult students from a European Union or Schengen Area country, a valid identification document (National Identity Card or passport) is sufficient for traveling to Malta. For minor students, a valid identification document (National Identity Card or passport), an authorization to leave the territory (AST), and an identity document of the signing parent will be required. For students from outside Europe, please consult your Maltadvice counselor for visa requirements for Malta.

Undertaking a language stay involves not only learning a new language but also discovering a new culture and environment. There are numerous attractions available in Malta. Some of the must-visit places include exploring Valletta and Mdina, discovering the Blue Lagoon, or taking excursions to Gozo. To make sure you don’t miss anything, check out the most popular tours in Malta.

No, anyone, regardless of their English proficiency level, can undertake a language stay in Malta and take general or intensive English courses. However, for specific courses like Business English or exam preparation courses, a minimum level is typically required, usually at the B1 level.

There are several course options offered by schools. The two most popular ones available in all schools are general English and intensive English. General English, or GE20, consists of 20 lessons of 45 minutes per week, which is 3 hours per day from Monday to Friday, totaling 15 hours per week. Intensive English, or GE30, consists of 30 lessons of 45 minutes per week, which is 4.5 hours per day from Monday to Friday, totaling 22.5 hours per week.

There are nearly forty schools spread across the islands of Malta and Gozo. You can consult the complete list of schools that can accommodate language stays. However, as all schools claim to be the “best school in Malta,” it’s best to be guided by a member of our team to find the school that best suits your project.

Malta has advantages and disadvantages for learning English. The island is English-speaking and cosmopolitan, which facilitates communication and discussions in English. However, the English spoken in the Maltese archipelago is somewhat simpler (with a less rich vocabulary) and has a less pronounced accent compared to the United Kingdom or Ireland. This aspect is an advantage for beginners as it facilitates integration but may present a limitation for students with an advanced level (C1 and higher) who aim for a more complex linguistic experience.

The choice of the language stay entirely depends on the target proficiency level, availability, expectations, student profile, and, of course, the allocated budget. Providing a one-size-fits-all answer is impossible because there are one or more language stay options in Malta that will meet each student’s needs.

During an immersion stay with language courses, it is generally accepted that it takes between 6 and 8 weeks to reach a level of competence. It is typically 6 weeks for intensive courses (22.5 hours per week) and 8 weeks for general courses (15 hours per week). However, the learning process depends on each student’s personal commitment and individual learning capabilities.