What if you could study English abroad and not pay a single euro? Sounds too good, right? But for thousands of Europeans every year, that’s literally what happens. The Erasmus+ programme covers it. And Malta has become one of the most popular destinations for these funded courses — native-speaking teachers, sunshine, cost of living way lower than most of Western Europe. It’s kind of a no-brainer.
If you’ve heard of Erasmus+ but never really understood how it works (or whether you’d even qualify), this is the breakdown. What it covers, who can use it, and how to actually get yourself on an English course in Malta at a school like Maltalingua without paying out of pocket.
What Is Erasmus+ and Who Can Use It?
Erasmus+ is the EU’s big education and training programme. Funds learning opportunities across Europe. Language courses abroad are one of the most common uses — and honestly, one of the best uses.
There are a few different strands that could get you to Malta:
Key Action 1 (KA1) — Staff Mobility: This is the main one for working professionals. Teachers, trainers, school staff — if you work in education anywhere in the EU, you can apply through your institution for funding to take an English course abroad.
Key Action 1 (KA1) — Learner Mobility: For university students and vocational learners. Study or train in another EU country.
Key Action 2 (KA2) — Strategic Partnerships: Organisations apply for group training projects. These can include language courses too.
KA1 Staff Mobility is the route most adult professionals take. If you’re a teacher, school administrator, or pretty much anyone working in education in an EU country — you’re eligible. Your institution applies on your behalf.
What Erasmus+ typically covers:
Course fees
Travel (calculated by distance bands)
Accommodation and living costs (daily subsistence rates)
Sometimes preparation costs too
So yeah. It can cover everything. The whole lot.
Why Malta Is a Strong Choice for Erasmus+ Language Courses
Malta and Ireland. Those are the only two native English-speaking EU countries left (since the UK left the programme). That alone makes Malta a natural fit. But there’s more to it than that.
Your money goes further here. Malta’s daily subsistence rates under Erasmus+ are lower than Ireland’s, and the actual cost of living is genuinely cheaper than most Western European capitals. Your grant stretches more. Simple as that.
English is everywhere. It’s one of Malta’s two official languages. Road signs, menus, newspapers, TV — all in English. You’re practising from the second you land. Not just in the classroom, not just with your teacher. Everywhere.
The teaching quality is legit. Maltalingua is EAQUALS-accredited (which is one of the toughest quality marks in the industry, for what it’s worth). Maximum 12 students per class. Every single teacher is a native British speaker with CELTA or DELTA qualifications. That’s the kind of thing Erasmus+ national agencies want to see when they’re reviewing your application.
It’s just easy to get to. Direct flights from most European cities, 300+ days of sunshine, and it’s a genuinely nice place to spend a week or two. That matters more than people admit when you’re choosing where to do professional development.
How to Apply for Erasmus+ Funding
The process depends on which strand you’re using. Here’s how KA1 Staff Mobility works (since that’s the most common route):
Check eligibility. You need to work for (or be affiliated with) an education institution in an EU or programme-associated country.
Pick a course. Find an English course at an accredited school. Maltalingua’s General English and Business English both work for Erasmus+ applications.
Your institution submits the application. Not you personally — Erasmus+ applications come from organisations. So talk to your school’s Erasmus+ coordinator or international office. They’ll know the drill.
Include it in the European Development Plan. Your institution needs to show how the course fits their broader development goals. (This sounds bureaucratic and it kind of is, but coordinators handle it all the time.)
Get approved, then book. Once the national agency approves your institution’s application, you confirm dates and book your course.
Deadlines are usually February for the following academic year. Some national agencies run additional rounds though. Point is — start the conversation early. Six to twelve months in advance is completely normal. Don’t wait.
What to Expect from an Erasmus+ English Course in Malta
It’s structured but also — and I think this surprises people — genuinely enjoyable. A typical week at Maltalingua looks something like this:
Mornings: English classes in small groups. Grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, real-world communication. 09:00 to 12:30 with a break in the middle.
Afternoons: Free. Explore the island, join school activities, study if you want to. A lot of Erasmus+ participants use this time for cultural visits — Valletta, Mdina, the Blue Grotto — which honestly count as learning experiences too. (You’re navigating, reading, communicating in English the whole time.)
Evenings: Social stuff. Dinners with classmates from all over Europe. Drinks at Spinola Bay. Practising English without even trying because with students from 40+ nationalities at the school, it’s the only language everyone shares.
End of the course, you get a certificate of attendance and a programme description. You’ll need both for your Erasmus+ final report.
Common Questions About Erasmus+ in Malta
Can I choose how long I study? Yep. Most people do one or two weeks but you can go longer. Maltalingua has flexible start dates every Monday.
Is there an age limit? No. Erasmus+ isn’t just for 20-year-olds. Staff mobility is specifically for working professionals — any age.
Can I bring my family? The funding only covers you. But your family can come along at their own cost and Malta is super family-friendly, so it works out.
Accommodation? Maltalingua offers school accommodation — shared apartments and host families. Most Erasmus+ participants go for the shared apartments. Close to school, good for socialising, and reasonably priced.
Visa? EU citizens don’t need one. If you’re from a programme-associated country outside the EU, check your specific requirements.
Start Your Erasmus+ Application Today
Honestly, Erasmus+ might be one of the best-kept secrets in professional development. Fully funded English course. Mediterranean island. Native-speaking teachers. International classmates. Sunshine. It almost sounds made up but thousands of Europeans do it every year.
First step is dead simple: talk to your institution’s Erasmus+ coordinator and contact Maltalingua for course details and a formal quotation. We’ll give you everything you need for the application. The hard part is just getting started — once you do, the process is pretty straightforward.
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