English schools in Malta, for learners and would-be teachers

Malta has something no other Mediterranean destination can offer language students. English is an official language alongside Maltese, so they hear it on the street, on the bus and on every sign. That’s why the islands have been drawing students from across Europe for decades. For a British reader the interest is usually one of two things, booking a course for someone else or wondering about teaching there, so I’ve covered both.

Who studies there, and where from

Malta’s National Statistics Office publishes an annual report on English language teaching. In 2025 it counted 76,063 foreign students spread across 34 licensed schools, a drop of 4,883 on the 2024 total. Some 71.8% came from the EU, and the top three countries were Italy (23.0%), Germany (10.6%) and France (10.4%).

For me, though, the most revealing number is a different one. 29.2% of students were 15 or younger. A large slice of the market is summer courses for teenagers, and that shapes what a school feels like in July.

When is the busiest time?

According to the NSO, July was the busiest month in 2025, with 16.5% of students, followed by August on 15.8% and March on 9.6%. July and August are also the airport’s busiest months. For an adult learner, the conclusion is clear to me. Spring or autumn means emptier classrooms and still pleasant weather. The month-by-month picture is in my guide to the best time to visit Malta.

How to check a school is legitimate

Malta regulates the sector through the ELT Council, part of the Ministry for Education, which publishes the official, up-to-date list of licensed English language schools. Before paying anyone, that list is where I’d look first. Spain’s foreign ministry gives its own citizens the same advice, only book with officially recognised schools, and it’s sound advice whatever passport you hold.

Then look at the course itself. The NSO says 72.9% of students chose standard General English. If you need something specific, such as exam preparation or business English, ask whether the school genuinely runs it or whether it’s the general course under another name.

What does it take to teach English in Malta?

The ELT Council’s careers leaflet is refreshingly specific. Teachers need an A-Level in English at grade C or above, or a pass in its own Test of English for Teachers (TELT), plus a TEFL Award, a pass in the Spoken English Proficiency Test for Teachers and a valid ELT permit issued by the Council. Academic managers need a Level 7 qualification such as a DELTA or an MA in TESOL, or an English degree plus a CELTA or equivalent.

There’s also a role many people overlook, the group leader, who looks after students on activities and in their accommodation. Since Brexit, a British citizen also needs the right to work in Malta, and that’s a separate question I’d settle with the Maltese authorities first. For short stays, GOV.UK says Malta follows Schengen rules, 90 days in any 180. The basics are in my guide to Malta entry requirements.

Where to stay, and the eco-contribution

One detail matters for longer stays. From 1 July 2026, every licensed property adds an eco-contribution of €1.50 for each adult for each night, up to a ceiling of €22.50 per person for the whole stay, and nights beyond the 15th are free. On a month-long course, you pay €22.50 and that’s it.

Visitmalta lists schools in Sliema, St Julian’s, Pembroke, St Paul’s Bay and Valletta, with one in Kerċem on Gozo, so I’d look for licensed accommodation near the school you pick. The areas are in my guide to Malta apartments. And the Malta plug type is the same as in the UK, which makes a long stay that bit easier. Since Brexit, EU roaming on a UK network depends on your provider, which I explain in Malta roaming.