Why choose Malta for learning English?
Malta is a compact Mediterranean archipelago where English is an official language. Language schools are found in towns such as Sliema, St. Julian's and Valletta. Students come from different countries, so classmates often use English with each other in class and after school.
What is the cost of studying English in Malta?
Budget for your whole stay, not only for tuition. A price list usually has separate lines: the course, accommodation (host family, shared apartment or residence), meals if they are not included, registration or booking fees, airport transfer and insurance. Prices can change with the season. Ask the school for an itemised quote for your dates and compare the same lines between schools.
Are there hidden fees?
Ask for the full list of fees before you pay: registration or enrolment, booking, airport transfer, travel insurance, and any visa or local registration costs that apply to your nationality and length of stay. Rules and fees change; confirm them with the school and the official authority. In the Philippines, registration is a separate line (for example $100 at 3D Academy and $150 at QQ English), and each school lists its local fees in pesos.
What accreditation should I look for?
Ask the school for its licence and accreditation details and check them with the official regulator in Malta. Look for accreditation by recognised bodies, for example FELTOM, EAQUALS or IALC, and ask what it covers (teaching quality, class size, student protection). For exam preparation (IELTS, Cambridge), ask whether the school is a registered test centre or where you would take the exam.
What is the nationality mix and seasonality?
- Summer (Jun-Aug): often busier, with more junior groups. Ask about class size and room availability.
- Shoulder seasons (Apr-May, Sep-Oct): a mix of adults and juniors is common. Ask the school for the mix on your dates.
- Winter (Nov-Mar): often quieter. Ask which courses and activities run in your weeks.
How many lessons per day can I expect?
Ask the school how many lessons a week the course includes, how long each lesson is, and whether one-to-one lessons cost extra. Check whether the course is taught in groups or one-to-one. In the Philippines, QQ English offers up to eight one-to-one lessons a day, and CPILS has four one-to-one and five group lessons a day.
What about accommodation and meals?
Schools in Malta offer host family stays (half-board or full-board), shared apartments and residences. Ask what the meal plan covers and what you pay separately. In the Philippines, the room and meals are written into each school's price list: at 3D Academy the 4-week price includes a room and meals three times a day, while at First English Global College meals are charged separately.
How does Malta compare to the Philippines for value?
A fair comparison needs the same lines on both sides. In the Philippines, schools publish 4-week prices. In our catalogue of 11 October 2026, 3D Academy lists $899 for 4 weeks in a six-bed room with meals three times a day, and QQ English lists $1,545 for tuition with 4 one-to-one lessons, a capsule room and meals. Registration, local fees, flights and insurance are charged separately. For Malta, ask the school for an itemised quote and put the same lines side by side: tuition, room, meals, fees and transfers.
What are the visa requirements?
Entry and visa rules depend on your nationality and on the length of your course. Rules and fees change; confirm them with the school and the official immigration authority before you travel. The same applies to the Philippines, where each school lists its local fees (such as SSP and ACR I-Card) in pesos.
Is a homestay or residence better?
A homestay means living with a local family, usually with meals; the experience depends on the host, so ask the school how hosts are chosen. A residence gives more independence; ask what is included. If you want a language holiday with excursions and activities, ask about study-tour programmes. If you travel with children, ask each school for its minimum age and whether a parent must stay. In the Philippines, for example, Boracay Coco English Academy takes kids from 4 with a parent, and First English Global College has a Kids ESL course for ages 4-12.
Comparing schools alone can be overwhelming. Whether you choose Malta or the Philippines, our guide to comparing English schools in the Philippines can help you weigh options. For a free school match with no mark-up, get in touch. Julia has visited campuses in Cebu, Mactan and Boracay in person.