Photo: Kurt Arrigo
Why Malta Should Be Your Destination to Learn English
Millions of people visit Malta every year, as it is a small island which boasts 300 days of sunshine annually, consisting of mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making it more enjoyable as both a holiday destination and a place to live and work in.
If you’re still searching for destinations to improve your English, here are some reasons why Malta should be your choice!
1) English-speaking
Situated between southern Europe and north Africa, Malta has two official languages – Maltese and English. The latter is spoken by about 90% of Maltese locals and is taught in schools from kindergarten upwards. The country’s most popular newspapers, such as the Times of Malta and the Malta Independent, are written and published in English.
Valletta, Malta
Most colloquial things like road signs and menus are written in English, and staff at restaurants, tour guides, hotels and other establishments communicate in English. As a result, you will have many opportunities to practise your conversational skills in English, as well as meet people from other cultural backgrounds.
2) Studying English abroad opens a lot of doors
During your lessons you will be very likely to be in a classroom with students of different cultures and nationalities. Which language should you use to communicate with them? That’s right – English! You and your classmates will be able to help each other as well as ask your teachers – who are native-level English speakers – for assistance in class. By studying English abroad, you can improve your CV in both the educational experience and language level sections.
Adult classroom at ESE
If you wish to stay in Malta long-term, you may also find yourself wanting to visit other countries. Travelling out of the country isn’t a problem. You may wish to travel to Sicily by both and plane in under 2 hours. Flights to other European countries from Malta are usually less than 3 hours.
3) European Union country
Like many other EU countries, Malta’s currency is the Euro. It is an internationally recognised currency in the field of tourism and does not require foreign exchange rates and transaction costs.
Malta’s currency is the Euro
Fares for public transport, food and beverages as well as entrance fees to a number of attractions such as museums and heritage sites are lower than other Eurozone countries. Not to mention, most of Malta’s money is generated by tourism, thus making it an affordable destination!
4) So much to see
With an area of 316 km2, the islands consist of several historical sites dating back to prehistory. Maltese culture has been influenced by the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Knights of St. John, French as well as the British, which is why English is an official language.
Valletta is the smallest capital in the European Union. It consists of interesting 16th-century buildings constructed by the Knights of Malta influenced by the Baroque period. It also boasts fortifications, palaces, churches, and gardens. The city was considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1980.
Valletta, Malta
Malta is also home to many picturesque beaches, both rocky and sandy and are of easy reach no matter where you are!
From top left: Swimming at one of Malta’s rocky beaches; Caffe Cordina, Valletta; Isle of MTV music festival at Fosos, Floriana; Mdina by night
5) Surrounded by the sea
The first few words that come to mind when one thinks of Malta are ‘sun’, ‘warmth’ and of course, ‘sea’. In August 2021, Malta’s seawater was ranked as the fourth clearest in the European Union, which makes it an ideal destination for water sports, fishing, swimming, and boating. Water temperatures usually remain warm until November; they are blue and consist of several underwater flora and fauna.
Scuba diving in Malta
Malta is also a tourist destination for diving regardless of skill. In fact, it was ranked as the second-best diving destination by DIVE Magazine in 2019, making it a paradise for divers. This is due to the numerous dive centres operating on our islands, not to mention a fascinating marine life and numerous diving spots.
6) Mild weather
The Maltese islands boast six months of summer, starting from early May to late October. Temperatures throughout these months are as high as 31°C at daytime and 20°C by night. Winters are usually mild with an average temperature of 13°C in January and about 7 days of rain a month, and there are 3000 hours of sunshine per year, making it the sunniest European country.
From left: Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta; Citadella, Gozo.
Now that you’ve learnt more about why Malta should be your number-one destination when travelling overseas to learn English, why not book a course with ESE? Our courses are made for students of all ages and abilities, and they also consist of a social programme with age-appropriate social and cultural activities, so that you can improve your English as well as explore Malta!
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