Relevant themes — IELS Discount Outlet, IELS Discount Outlet, language learning

In This Section

1. Malta: A prime spot for English studies


2. Key cultures and student diversity in Malta


3. Different English courses available in Malta


4. Where language students can stay in Malta


5. Why Malta is unique compared to other places to learn English


6. The culture, student life, and English immersion in Malta


7. Arranging your experience of learning English in Malta

Why Malta is a top choice for English courses

Talk about "English class" and chances are people imagine the UK, the US, or even Australia. Actually, Malta is the underdog that’s trending harder every year — mainly among foreign students looking to learn English with added sun, ocean views, and minus the classic British rain. Malta happens to be a tiny Mediterranean island full of historic sites, fantastic beaches, and an oddly big British feel (left-hand traffic, fish and chips, the whole deal).

Why is English such a big deal here? Malta used to be a British colony until the ‘60s, so English just stayed. At present, English holds status as one of the two official languages. However, unlike France or Germany, where you have to hunt for English speakers, people in Malta use English every day — at work, in school, and for daily routines. Nobody bats an eye if you order coffee, bicker with a taxi driver, or hit on a bartender — all in English. That means you can easily keep up your English learning outside of class.

Truth be told: When I stayed in Malta for two months, the easygoing lifestyle and commitment to education seriously impressed me. Stroll through Valletta or Sliema and you'll catch accents from all over: Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Japanese. You could call it the language student U.N.. Plus, there’s zero stress about locating a spot to practice those new words.

International students & major nationalities Malta

If you’re the kind of person who gets sidetracked in international groups ("Wait, you’re from where?!") Here, English language schools actually act as melting pots. Keeping a tally on my phone of the nationalities I encountered at cafés, the record got amazingly long. Even so, certain nationalities are more noticeable and you can join them — if you wish — or embrace mixed groups and classes.

Who heads to Malta for English courses?

1. Europeans: Practically everywhere you look. The most prevalent tend to be Italians and Germans, but you'll regularly encounter Spanish, French, Polish, and Swedish folks. Getting to Malta is simple for them, and it genuinely feels like one of their own places.


2. Japanese and Koreans: There were loads of Japanese and Korean people, some of whom stayed several months. To them, Malta is "exotic Europe"—it’s incredibly safe, full of sunshine, and doesn’t require the nutty UK visa paperwork.


3. Brazilians and Latin Americans: For real, the energy from Brazilians is next-level here. Lots visit for the sunshine and because Malta is both welcoming and recognizable, and it doesn’t break the bank like North America.


4. Turkish and Middle Eastern students: It makes sense, considering Malta's location. Lots of Turkish students, some from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Egypt — they all blend in really well and like that Malta is both European and nearby.


5. Russians and Eastern Europeans: Things are awkward politically now, but before 2022, big clusters from Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltics were everywhere. It might drop off some years, but that scene is still there, especially in summer.

Individuals remain for periods ranging from two weeks up to six months. Among them is a big population of "summer vacationers" (think teens and college students), as well as adults working on "career growth" or preparing for university entrance tests.

Table: Who comes to Malta for English language courses?

Location
Typical Reasons
Countries in Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, France)

• Nearness

• Traveling in the EU and Schengen is hassle-free

• Cheaper than the UK and Ireland

Asian Destinations (China, Japan, Korea)

• Secure and up-to-date

• Adventure in culture

• Avoids super long flights

The Latin American region

• Sunny conditions

• Affordable cost

• Student-friendly environment

Middle East/Turkey

• Not far from home

• You can speak English (low pressure)

• Open to every religion


"I came to Malta thinking I’d just brush up on English for a few weeks, but ended up totally falling for the place. I met friends from eight different countries in my first month alone. It’s easily the best mix of work and play I’ve ever found."

— Karolina from Poland



Varieties of English language courses in Malta

What are the possible selections? Malta avoids standard, one-size-fits-all language schools. You kinda have to know what you want, because there’s a ton of choice. Here’s what I noticed:

1. Foundational English courses: They’re your staple. Max 10-12 students per class. Lessons cover all four core skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Instructors genuinely care, often holding surprise games or Maltese culture days.


2. Semi-intensive & full-intensive courses: You’ll study longer hours: maybe 30 lessons per week instead of 20. Ideal for those with tight schedules or high motivation. Some students do this if they’re headed into uni or want to survive job interviews in English.


3. English exam courses (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL): These are the heavy hitters. Classes stay focused with tons of mock exams, critiques, and strict educators. Classes led by native speakers get strict — but for these exams, it’s necessary.


4. Professional English: If you need to write emails, negotiate, or give presentations at work, this is where you wanna be. Group sizes are usually small, featuring real-life cases and mock meetings. A Brazilian lawyer I met said this totally changed their life.


5. Private English lessons: It isn’t cheap, but it’s 100% worth it if you’re shy or need specific help (like exam prep or presentations). You get a custom timetable designed to target your goals.


6. Youth English courses: Whole families can enroll together during the summer, or you can send your teens to special "junior programs." There’s always an afternoon program: from swimming and tours to barbecue and Maltese cuisine.

Schedules for classes offer unexpected flexibility. Typically, you can begin on nearly any Monday, plus, schools generally permit switching between course types if you find the material too challenging (or not challenging enough).

Accommodation options for language students

Honestly — I invested an excessive amount of time fixating on the best place to stay in Malta. Language students, these are your main options:

1. Staying with host families: This move is the student staple. You live in a Maltese family’s home, get meals, and can count on English conversations—no matter if it’s about local weather or grandkids’ activities. You develop genuine life English, not just textbook phrases. The culture shock is softened.


2. Residences for students: Imagine college dorms, but in a sunnier place. You enjoy privacy while never missing out on group hangouts. Friendly but secure, plus help is there if you lock yourself out late at night.


3. Self-catered hotels and apartments: If you want some privacy, especially for adults or families traveling together, there’s loads of self-catering apartments and hotels. It’s a little pricier, but that sea-view balcony makes it worth it.


4. Student flatshares: Students often sort this option out in person after arriving. Facebook groups always have listings for good deals. This choice gives maximum freedom (with a hint of mayhem). You do you.

From my own experience, having a host family truly made things better. There’s really something unique about coffee in a Maltese grandmother’s kitchen, you catch bits of slang and crazy stories formal lessons won’t give you. Yet, residences and apartments work best for those who party or like having space.

How does Malta stand out among English destinations

If considering the UK, Ireland, or Australia leaves you puzzled about Malta’s allure, let me shed some light. Malta offers a uniqueness that’s unrivaled among English-speaking destinations:

• Weather here. There's about 300 days of sun every year. Here, people often study in the morning and relax at the beach in the afternoon, even in October. Me and about 10 students from other countries would have lunch on the rooftop, all of us joking and sweating in the warmth.


• Cost. Everything here tends to be cheaper — from study fees to eating out, bus rides, and smartly found rent. Malta is part of the EU, meaning lots of deals for students from other European countries.


• The mood. No stress. Maltese people are SO friendly, and nobody freaks out if your English isn’t perfect. Nightlife here is lively (Paceville knows it), but safely walking home at 2am with new friends is totally fine.


• Bilingual locals. Everyone here flips between English and Maltese like it’s no big deal. You get exposed to more than just "textbook" accents — old dudes on buses, shop owners, bartenders all have their own style. It feels way less intimidating.

Here’s the twist: Malta boasts some of the most rigorous English teaching standards in all of Europe. Schools are regularly inspected and certified by organizations like FELTOM. I found myself changing classes because my previous group was just too easy, and the admin sorted it out in five minutes — no drama, just a new class and new friends.

Daily English practice, student living, and cultural experiences

In your home country, the norm for learning English is drawn-out classes, monotonous grammar practice, and maybe watching Netflix with subtitles if you’re lucky.

In Malta it’s SO different.

You get to use English non-stop — getting your lunch, grabbing a bus for Mdina, dealing with your SIM card, socializing on boat tours.

The beach itself becomes an English class, no joke.

People in Malta are famously warm and approachable. There’s a fiesta or special event seemingly every week, featuring fireworks in the streets, bustling food vendors, and lively music. My absolute favorite experience: nibbling pastizzi (those flaky pastries packed with cheese or peas) under the fireworks and swapping slang with a Brazilian guy and two Japanese girls I’d only just met. Nobody cared about where your accent came from—just good company and plenty of laughter.

Things you eventually discover:

• How to rapidly address so as to grab a minibus driver’s awareness (believe me, you’ll want this ability)


• Requesting pizza in Maltese fashion (here’s a tip: it’s topped with sausage and boiled eggs—crazy, right?)


• Making plans with people from three different time zones at once


• Describing exactly what a "pint" is in a pub — yes, even Americans get confused sometimes

Your education doesn’t end once you leave the building. With the right perspective, the whole island offers one ongoing English lesson.

Arrange your English language experience in Malta

There is no single "best month" to begin. Summer brings more heat and bigger crowds, yet there’s more action: every weekend has beach parties, boat trips, and group outings. If you prefer a mellow vibe, spring or early autumn is quieter, yet still has pleasant weather. Winter means off-season rates, thin crowds, and enough sun to make other winters look dull.

For students from the EU, visa stuff is pretty chill. If you’re not from the EU, make sure to check requirements, but most schools help with paperwork. At my school, a Brazilian student managed her extension within days, all chill.

Top tip from someone who’s been there: Minimize your packing. Expect to acquire more flip-flops than you anticipated, and you really don’t need that extra sweater (it never gets properly "cold" in Malta). Pack a refillable water bottle, and — most importantly — bring your sense of adventure. All experiences seem grander in Malta: that first walk alone along Valletta’s timeworn avenues, the first time you swim in Blue Lagoon, heading out for your first late-night gelato with companions from five various locations.

IELS Malta: reasons students are impressed by this school

Whenever the topic of Malta’s language schools arises, IELS Malta seems to be the recurring answer. I found that every student I met had considered IELS, and truthfully, a few weeks at the school made its popularity clear. Forget about any no-name schools; IELS is well-known as a leading English language center in Malta, with resources and an energy that make learning feel like an adventure instead of just schoolwork in a beautiful place.

This is the aspects people (including myself) enjoy at IELS Malta:

• Extensive course lineup: No matter if you’re gearing up for IELTS, craving classic General English, or bringing the entire family for a sunny summer, they have a course available. It’s like ordering from a menu where everything tastes good.


• Pro teachers, laid-back style: I’ve never met friendlier teachers — native or almost-native, and they actually mind whether you’re progressing or simply browsing Instagram. Plus, they regularly sprinkle in Malta trivia and local phrases.


• Stellar setting: The main school is in Sliema, pretty much the heart of "student Malta." Commuting is a breeze — you’re just steps away from beach clubs, cafes, and epic sunsets.


• Variety: It’s a truly international atmosphere at the school. One week, for example, my class had students from Brazil, Japan, Germany, Turkey and Tunisia — plus me, the token Spaniard abroad!


• Resources outside the classroom: Visa renewal was a breeze with staff help — true professionals. Need help booking a Gozo trip? They’ll sort it for you. Not to mention, their activities calendar is packed — BBQs, boating parties, even options to volunteer if you want a boost.

IELS Malta in numbers:

Feature of IELS Malta
Student Opinion
Number of students in class
• Incredibly bonded & dynamic
• Up to 12 per group; personal feel
Course variety
• General English, Business classes, Exam Prep, 30+ course options, Juniors
• A great deal of flexibility
Social calendar
• Boat parties, treasure hunts, pub crawls
• Easy way to meet friends
Location advantages
• Two minutes’ walk from the sea
• Shops and cafes just outside
Accommodation
• A variety of options: houses, host families, residences
• School arranges everything
Pros
• Super organized
• Real global diversity
• Up-to-date classroom facilities
• Continuous feedback & monitoring
Cons
• Can get busy in high season (book early!)
• Fun events may pull you away from coursework, lol

Actual experience insight: One guy in my class, Fabio from Italy, summed it up best. "Booked two weeks—stayed two months. You never want to leave because every week feels new — new faces, new parties, new places to explore." That’s hard to beat for real student endorsement.

Level up English and make friends effortlessly

No one needs to have to be an extrovert to have a social life in Malta.

Language schools (particularly IELS Malta) work hard to set up stuff like BBQ nights, nights out in Paceville, sea kayaking tours, and history tours.

Everyone sort of falls in together, and being shy works out too, there's always a few "organizers" who'll drag you to the party anyway.

Additionally, practice really helps... besides, nobody wants to discuss grammar at a bar?

Leading methods participants manage to grow beyond formal education:

• Creating global cooking groups in shared flats (I learned how to make traditional Russian crepes... not so well, but hey, we laughed a lot)


• Signing up for university-sponsored outings — Mdina’s sunset is enchanting and perfect for conversations


• Beach volleyball tournaments (you’ll pick up "mine!" in countless different voices)


• Nocturnal heart-to-hearts by the seaside, gelato included — something they never mention in language books

Learning here involves more than books. Malta helps you live the English language, not only study it. From quiet coffees with classmates to all-night conversations on balconies, I learned more about language — and myself — than I ever expected."

— Daniela Silva, Brazilian student at IELS Malta



Actual expenses: what you really pay

Breakdown of typical expenses

Honestly, few travelers head to Malta with extravagant intentions, but it’s way more affordable than London or Dublin. Here’s what the typical student genuinely spends:

Cost
Standard Weekly Rate
General English course (20 lessons)
€160–€260
Shared residence room
€120–€220
Homestay family
€220–€300 (with partial meals)
Food/groceries
€40–€70
Affordable meal out (pizza)
€6-€12 per meal
Public transit/bus pass
€6-€21 (trip amount dependent)
Having pints (you know you will)
€2.50-€5 apiece

Frankly, provided you’re mindful of your spending, living well as a student is doable for under €350 a week — and that covers your courses. So long as you’re not partying constantly and cook together sometimes, you’ll cut down on expenses even further. Have a look at MaltaEng.com ahead of enrolling at IELS Malta – their offers are the best around! MaltaEng prices are even better than those offered directly by IELS.

Malta’s vibe for solo adventurers: Safety and support

There are cities that instantly make you suspicious, especially as a solo traveler. Malta is nothing like that — it’s the exact opposite. I walked back from clubs at 3am (not every night, I promise!), roamed Valletta’s winding side alleys, phone in hand, and never sensed anything off. Security is top-notch, and the local residents are always willing to assist – in addition, because English is common, finding your way is simple. Even my always-nervous parents stopped worrying after a FaceTime walk down my peaceful, sunny street by my student flat.

Institutions including IELS actually provide 24/7 emergency contacts, along with large-scale housing have personnel present.

IELS utilizes "student advisors" — typically locals from Malta — that arrange happenings and respond to queries for all concerns, covering the top spots for pizza to replacing your SIM card.

It truly feels like "don’t worry, you’re covered."

The joy of holidays: sun, ocean, and spontaneous adventures

Probably the wildest thing about Malta is how easily you slip into new habits.

You might attend morning classes, eat lunch by the beach, and later go on a historical walk or do some shopping in Sliema.

It’s normal to hop over to Gozo for the weekend with new friends, or take a spontaneous boat to Comino.

Those who intend to be studious still fall for the rhythm of learning mixed with life’s pleasures.

Several friends of mine who just arrived, booked a few lessons, and found themselves sailing, going hiking, leaping from cliffs, or chilling at a rooftop pool before dinner.

The balance between study and holiday here is different from anywhere else.

The sense of missing out is genuine — but so is the enjoyment.

Student tips for before coming to Malta

Things that trip up almost everybody (myself included):

• Leaving is incredibly tough — seriously, so many people extend their course "just one more week" and in no time, summer has vanished.


• WiFi in apartments can sometimes be slow — download stuff in advance if you’re a Netflix addict!


• Public buses don’t cost much, though they might show up late past midnight. Best option for late-night journeys: split a taxi with your crew.


• Notice how fast your self-assurance in English builds. You just keep practicing without feeling pressured. Mistakes abound, but it’s okay: everyone’s learning.


• During busy summer, book your accommodation and hot schools (like IELS) well ahead of time. Good deals go fast and you want the best options.


• Reserve your IELS Malta classes through MaltaEng. It saves you a huge amount of money.

FAQ about English language courses in Malta

How long should I study in Malta to see results?

Most people notice big improvements from just 3-4 weeks. Achieving fluency or succeeding in IELTS/Cambridge/TOEFL usually takes 8-12 weeks or beyond. Remember, the more you throw yourself into daily life, the faster you’ll see changes.

Will I need to know Maltese?

No, you don't! Every local in Malta speaks fluent English, thus, you’ll never struggle with language at schools, shops, or eateries. The English language is used everywhere.

Is Malta affordable for students?

Compared to the UK, Ireland, or the USA, Malta is far more affordable for students. Education fees, living expenses, and going out all cost less, yet expect prices to go up in tourist-heavy summer, so allow for extra spending then.

Can students work during English courses in Malta?

You can do it on a student visa after you have studied in Malta for 12 weeks. Some schools can provide information and assistance with the paperwork. But remember, work shouldn’t be your main source of funding; use it primarily to enhance your English skills and supplement your earnings. For any visa-related questions, visit https://identita.gov.mt/

IELS or another school?

In my opinion and plenty of others, IELS has the edge for course flexibility, student support, modern school buildings, and crazy-good social life. The after-class activities are famous for a reason, and the teaching is super consistent. If you want the best accommodation options, booking early is wise — spaces go quickly!

Where might I discover authentic reviews of Malta language trips?

Search forums and look up Instagram tags for Malta language schools. Or, for even more insight, see what IELS Malta attendees are sharing: https://mt.linkedin.com/school/iels/

Discover the unforgettable difference of learning English in Malta

What sets Malta apart is not only the strides you take in English (and you’d be amazed at yourself). It’s the friends you make from half the world, the quirky slang you learn, how your newfound confidence sees you through challenging grammar. Malta makes learning easy because it isn’t just school — it’s a complete lifestyle change, freedom in every moment, and sun-soaked joy that lingers long after you go.

Whenever you wonder where to enhance your English, build friendships that last a lifetime, and experience an unforgettable season – be it summer, winter, spring, or fall, Malta — and most notably with IELS — is your top destination. The real danger? You may never wish to go home.

Learn English in Malta where English is the mother tongue, enroll in English programs at the Institute of English Language Studies — the top English school on the islands of Malta and book via MaltaEng.com (IELS Discount Outlet) to get the optimal cost for your English classes. Sharpen your English level and meet new people

— Malta Eng (IELS Discount Outlet)




Connected articles

https://www.tumblr.com/maltaeng — English school Malta