Teaching in Malta

Understand the Malta Reality

Malta is a major English-teaching destination: English is official, and ~80,000 international students come each year to study it — so the EFL market is genuine and steady, peaking in summer. Roles span language schools, international schools, and tutoring.

Understand the Types of Teaching Roles

Route types include: private language schools (the core of the market — adults and young learners, general and business English), international schools (the highest pay, for licensed teachers), public schools (which teach in English), summer courses (a big seasonal draw), and private tutoring (1:1 lessons are popular). Browse and compare options in the K12 Academics directory.

Check the Requirements & ELT Permit

The key Malta rule: you need an ELT permit from the ELT Council, which requires a Level 5 TEFL qualification (e.g., Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL) meeting the Malta Qualifications Framework. A degree is preferred (and effectively needed for non-EU teachers). International schools additionally require a teaching license, a master’s, and experience. Fluent English is expected.

Understand the Visa & Work Authorization

A Malta specific: both EU and non-EU teachers need a work permit. You must have a job offer first, then the employer submits your application. Non-EU citizens additionally need a single permit and an employment licence (via Jobsplus). Confirm current rules with the ELT Council and Maltese immigration.

Know the Pay & Benefits

Pay reflects the market: private language schools pay hourly (~€14–19/hour), often seasonally (with a summer peak); international schools pay the most (~€2,000–3,000/month) with benefits; business English and 1:1 tutoring can pay more. The cost of living is moderate (a Mediterranean lifestyle), so pay goes reasonably far.

Understand Contracts & What to Watch For

Much language-school work is hourly and seasonal (busiest in summer), so check hours, hourly rate, and contract length (year-round vs seasonal). Ensure the role includes help obtaining the ELT permit and work permit. Favour written terms and reputable, ELT-Council-recognised schools.

Get Qualified & Prepared

Earn a Level 5 TEFL qualification (Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL) and apply for the ELT permit; have your degree ready. For international schools, bring a teaching license and experience. Prepare your documents (apostilled/translated), references, and background checks, and consider a business-English specialism.

Plan the Hiring Timeline

Demand peaks in summer (June–August), when international students arrive for intensive courses – so language schools recruit heavily in spring; year-round roles also exist. International schools recruit January–May for a September start. Apply ahead of the summer peak, and sort your permits early.

Prepare for the Move

English is an official language of Malta, so there’s no language barrier (Maltese is also official). Most teaching is in Valletta, Sliema, and St Julian’s, where the language schools cluster. Malta is safe, sunny, and Mediterranean, with a moderate cost of living — an appealing lifestyle base.

Find Your Role & Thrive

Once you know your route, find and compare specific language schools, international schools, and recruiters in the K12 Academics directory. Apply ahead of the summer peak, verify each contract and the ELT/work-permit support, and build toward year-round or international-school roles. Confirm current rules with the ELT Council.

Teaching in Malta: The Essentials

A snapshot — program-neutral. Confirm details with the ELT Council, Maltese immigration, and each employer.

• The marketMalta is a major English-teaching destination: English is an official language, and around 80,000 international students come each year to study it, peaking in summer.
• The routesPrivate language schools (the core of the market, general and business English), international schools (highest pay, for licensed teachers), public schools (which teach in English), summer courses, and 1:1 tutoring — find and compare specific ones in the directory.
• Requirements & permitYou need an ELT permit from the ELT Council, requiring a Level 5 TEFL (Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL); a degree is preferred (needed for non-EU); international schools additionally require a license, a master’s, and experience.
• VisaBoth EU and non-EU teachers need a work permit (unusual in the EU); you need a job offer first; non-EU teachers additionally need a single permit and employment licence (via Jobsplus).
• Pay & moveLanguage schools pay hourly (~€14–19/hour, often seasonal); international schools ~€2,000–3,000/month with benefits; business English and 1:1 tutoring can pay more; English is official; moderate cost of living (Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's).

Where to learn more