Berlitz | ELA Malta

Berlitz | English Language Academy Malta, usually shortened to Berlitz | ELA, is a school in St Julian's where students from around the world come to learn English. It is a good fit for UK readers looking for English tuition on the island, whether that is a short course for a teenager, a business course for a professional who has moved here or a one-to-one programme to polish spoken English.

The school stands at 65 Telgha ta' Birkirkara, in one of Malta's busiest coastal resorts. You can compare it with other schools in our directory of language schools in Malta.

A school with history since 1988

English Language Academy was established in 1988 and is one of the long-standing schools in Malta. It is accredited by FELTOM, the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta, which is the national body for accredited English language schools. More than 32,000 students have studied there since it opened.

In 2023 the school joined the Berlitz family and began teaching with the Berlitz Method, a communicative, immersive style built around lots of speaking practice in class. The centre is independently owned and operated by English Language Academy Ltd, a member of the SMS Group. The aim is to offer a range of high-quality programmes in a family atmosphere, with up-to-date technology and quality checks so that every student has a memorable stay.

Everything runs from the St Julian's centre, which has a cafeteria, study spaces and a self-study centre that students can use every day.

General English and speaking courses

The core of the programme is General English, which covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking. General English 20 has 20 lessons of 45 minutes a week, equal to 15 hours, and starts from €260. Intensive English 30 steps up to 30 lessons, or 22.5 hours, from €340. Conversation 10 adds 10 lessons, or 7.5 hours, from €130 and concentrates on role plays, discussion and real-life speaking. All three suit every level, courses run from Monday to Friday, and the minimum booking is one week.

Classes have a maximum of 12 students, so everyone gets time to speak. Each course includes an online placement test, a welcome pack, a student card, free Wi-Fi throughout the school, a local SIM card, a self-study centre, a Berlitz certificate at the end and 24-hour welfare assistance. Students planning a longer stay can book long-term packages of 8, 12 or 24 weeks, and a 20 per cent discount on long-term courses is offered for 2026 courses.

Younger learners are catered for too. The school runs junior programmes for ages 13 to 17, a 50 plus programme for older learners, and closed groups for friends, families or colleagues who prefer to study together. Seasonal camps and autumn breaks for teenagers are part of the programme.

The Berlitz Method and how lessons work

The Berlitz Method is built on interaction, an interactive lesson style that sharpens communication skills and fluency. Instructors are trained in the method through Berlitz's own programme, and the school describes its teachers as experienced and native-speaking. Lessons are adjusted to your level, interests and learning style, so time is spent on the language you actually need.

Everyone is encouraged to start with a placement test so that they join the right level. Berlitz calls its process the Learning Cycle: it defines your learning path, matches you to the correct proficiency level and acts as a quality check as the course goes on. Schedules can be built around your requested dates, and the school can arrange closed groups for friends, families or colleagues who want to study together.

The same approach carries into corporate training for employers who want English for their staff, and the school's menu also lists Erasmus plus training and Bildungsurlaub courses for students coming from elsewhere in Europe.

Business English, exams and one-to-one tuition

Business English is aimed at adults of at least intermediate level. Classes are capped at eight students and cover professional correspondence, negotiation, presentations and meetings, with role plays and case studies. Business English 20 starts from €275 and Business English 30 from €425, while shorter electives, such as customer service English, delivering presentations or emails and business writing, start from €120 for ten lessons a week.

Exam preparation courses cover IELTS, the Cambridge exams, TOEFL and TOEIC, plus custom exam training. Examination Prep 20 and Examination Prep 30 run at 20 or 30 lessons a week, in classes of up to eight students, with mock tests and personalised feedback. The minimum course length is four weeks and learners should be at least 16, from pre-intermediate B1 up to C2.

Private one-to-one tuition is tailored to your own goals, whether that is aviation, tourism, business management, hospitality, medicine, teacher training or general English. You can book 20, 30 or 40 private lessons instead of a group course, or add ten private lessons to a group course. For the most intensive option, Berlitz Total Immersion offers 12 lessons a day, equal to 60 a week, mixing one-to-one lessons, business lunches and self-study, and the Berlitz Fast Track programme focuses on rapid progress for professionals. It is popular with people about to relocate abroad.

Where to stay and what the area offers

The school arranges accommodation for students. Self-catering apartments for adults are within walking distance of the school, with air conditioning and a kitchen, in single or shared occupancy. Homestay places with certified host families offer breakfast or half-board. Junior residences are supervised and designed for those aged 13 to 16, and a choice of selected hotels and hostels suits adults and groups. If you are comparing areas, see our guide to where to stay in Malta and our list of hotels in Sliema and St Julian's.

St Julian's has a seaside promenade, marinas, cafés and restaurants, with a lively nightlife area known as Paceville. The school points students to Bay Street Shopping Complex, the Mercury shopping district, the shops at Portomaso and Tigné Point in Sliema, and to local sights such as Spinola Palace and Stella Maris Parish Church. For days off, our guides to the best beaches in Malta, things to do in Malta and the Valletta city guide are useful, and the Malta weather guide helps you pick a month to study.

Visas and getting here

Students from European Union countries do not need a visa for a course in Malta. Those from outside the EU usually apply for a three-month visa and extend it if needed, and the school's administration department supports students with the documents. It is worth asking the school directly about your own situation before you book.

UK visitors can reach the island on direct flights, and our pages on flights to Malta and the routes from London Heathrow and London Gatwick set out the options. If you are considering a longer stay or a permanent move, our relocation guide for UK readers is a helpful next read.

How to book a place

The usual route is to tell the school which course you want, your name and your preferred dates, and its booking agents then reply with a customised quote, normally within 24 hours. Discounted rates vary by season and by booking, and a free course guide with options, prices, accommodation and start dates can be requested.

Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Berlitz | ELA Malta, who will reply to you directly.