Teach English in Malta

Details

Summary

Plenty of people in the local population have a good standard of English, so the demand for teachers is lower than elsewhere in Europe

Main TEFL regions

Valleta, Kappara, Sliema, St Juliens

Types of teaching

Private Language Schools: General English Summer Schools: General English

Accommodation

It’s not likely that employers will provide accommodation, but they will often help you find a place. Rental prices can vary depending on where you choose to live. Areas such as Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's are popular with tourists and therefore more expensive; the southern side of the Island can be cheaper. Flats can vary from €500 to €800; sharing accommodation is always a cheaper option.

Flight reimbursement

Not usual, although if you are being sponsored by a company this is possible.

Salary

€100-€180 per week Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.

Taxes

Approximately 20% of your salary will be paid as tax.

Cost of living

The overall cost of living is on a par with must European countries, perhaps slightly less. Groceries and general necessities are cheaper than the UK but it is harder to get hold of your favourite brands, so you’ll really be living life the Maltese way! The public transport system is good and not unreasonably priced and is used as a main means of getting about by most of the locals.

Meals in local restaurants are around €14-20, if you shop around you can find high quality cheap food to cook yourself.

Potential to save money

The cost of living may not be high but this is reflected in your earning potential. The average salary is around €800 a month, which will cover living and rental demands on your cash but won’t leave much room for saving. If you live frugally you might be able to put a little away but mainly it’s worth being in Malta for the friendly spirit and interesting culture!

How much TEFL training is recommended?

Maltese law requires a TEFL certificate and a permit to teach English to foreigners, this is issued by the Department of Education in Malta. A permit can be applied for on competition of a reputable TEFL course such as those offered by i-to-i. Nationality is an issue and EU citizens will have a greater chance of gaining employment, this can be increased by a degree of knowledge of Maltese.

Common teaching conditions

If you do manage to secure a full-time job at one of the central language schools you can expect to be working for up to 40 hours a week. Many students travel to Malta because of its reputation for excellent English teaching so if you’re a native English speaker with good qualifications you may even be able to teach private lessons.

Many summer camps and summer holiday schemes in Malta also include English teaching for the student visitors, EU citizens can stay on a temporary visa if they wish to teach only over the summer months, Australian citizens under 30 can also work on Malta for a year as part of the "Working Holiday Visa" program.

Be aware…

The roads in Malta can be dangerous, so if you're hiring a car, be extra cautious