Choosing between a standard English course and an intensive one is one of the most common questions students ask before they book. The honest answer is that it depends on you: your goals, your timeline, your budget and how you like to learn all play a part. Here’s what the two options actually involve.
What do these terms mean?
At Maltalingua, a standard course is usually 20 lessons per week, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. That works out at roughly 3 to 4 hours of class time a day, Monday to Friday.
An intensive English course in Malta means 30 or more lessons per week. Some students do 30 group lessons, while others add one-to-one sessions on top, which comes to 5 to 6 hours of class a day.
Both options use the same teachers, the same materials and the same quality of teaching. The difference is simply the volume.
The standard course: more time for everything else
If you’re on a longer stay of two months, three months or more, the standard course is often the smarter choice. You get your morning classes, then the afternoon is free to explore, do your homework properly, absorb what you’ve learned and actually use English in real situations.
Learning a language isn’t only about classroom hours. It’s about processing, resting and letting things settle. A packed day of classes, every day, can be counterproductive if your brain never gets time to consolidate.
Standard courses also suit people who are combining study with something else, whether that’s a part-time job, a remote work setup, or simply wanting to enjoy Malta rather than spend every waking hour in a classroom.
Budget matters too. Fewer lessons means a lower course fee, and over a stay of several months that difference adds up.
The intensive course: fast progress, focused effort
If you need to improve quickly, perhaps for a job, an exam or a specific deadline, the intensive course is built for exactly that. More hours with a teacher means more correction, more practice, more feedback and a clearer sense of progress.
Exam preparation is the obvious case. If you’re targeting IELTS, Cambridge or another qualification, an intensive programme gives you the rehearsal time those exams demand. The same goes for a specific professional situation, like a presentation, a negotiation, or a move to an English-speaking environment.
Career breaks are another natural fit. If you’ve taken time off specifically to improve your English, intensive study gets the most out of that investment. You’re not splitting your attention, you’re all in.
One-to-one intensive sessions deserve a special mention. They’re tailored entirely to you: your weaknesses, your goals, your pace. They cost more per hour than group classes, but the return in targeted progress can be well worth it.
The reality of intensity
Here’s something the marketing materials tend to skip: intensive courses are tiring. Five or six hours of focused English study every single day is genuinely hard work, and it’s mentally draining in a way that a standard course isn’t.
Some students thrive on it. They want to be pushed, they like the structure, and they feel they’re making visible progress every day. Others find it overwhelming and end up less productive in the afternoon sessions because they’re worn out.
It’s worth being honest with yourself. If you’re the kind of person who struggles to concentrate for three hours straight, six hours will be a challenge. If you love language learning and find it energising rather than draining, intensive might be ideal.
How to decide: a quick self-assessment
Answer these questions honestly:
1. Why are you learning English?
- Job requirement, exam or specific deadline, then intensive probably makes sense
- General improvement, travel or personal interest, then standard is probably fine
2. How long are you staying?
- Under 4 weeks, then intensive gives you more value from a short stay
- 4 weeks or more, then standard lets you go deeper and actually enjoy the experience
3. How do you handle intensity?
- You love focused learning and can sustain concentration, then intensive
- You find long sessions draining and lose focus, then standard
4. Do you need time for anything else?
- Studying is your sole priority, then intensive
- You want to work remotely, explore Malta or have a social life, then standard
5. What’s your budget?
- Limited budget, longer stay, then standard gives you more weeks for your money
- Fixed short period, maximum progress needed, then intensive
The middle path
If you’re unsure, the good news is that plenty of students start with standard and add one-to-one sessions for specific needs, like pronunciation, business vocabulary or exam technique. That gives you the structure and social side of a standard course, with targeted intensive input exactly where you need it.
Maltalingua can advise on this once you arrive. Most students sit a placement test first, and teachers give honest recommendations about whether you’re in the right programme.
The other factor nobody talks about
Class size matters whether you choose standard or intensive. A class of 12 on an intensive course still gives you more personal attention than a class of 20 on a standard course somewhere else. Maltalingua’s maximum of 12 students per class applies to both options, so the quality of your learning stays high whichever route you take.
What happens when you arrive
Most students start with a placement test. It isn’t an exam you can fail; it’s simply a way for the school to understand your current level so you end up in the right class. Nobody will judge you for being a beginner or for having gaps. The test just makes sure you’re not stuck in a class that’s too easy or too advanced for where you actually are.
At Maltalingua, teachers give honest feedback after the first week. If you’re on an intensive course and finding it overwhelming, or on a standard course and feeling bored, you can switch. Most schools are flexible about this, because they want you in the right place rather than the one you first booked.
Ready to choose?
Neither option is better in the abstract. They’re different tools for different situations. Think about what you’re trying to achieve, how long you have, and what kind of learner you are.
If you’re still unsure, get a free quotation from Maltalingua and mention your goals. The team can help you work out which option makes the most sense for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Standard and an Intensive English course?
A Standard General English course is 20 lessons a week; an Intensive course is 30 lessons a week. Both cover the same core skills, with Intensive simply adding more guided lesson time each day.
Who should choose the Intensive course?
Learners who want faster progress in a shorter stay, or who are preparing for work, study or an exam. If you also want plenty of free time to explore Malta, Standard is the more relaxed choice.
Are the class sizes the same on both courses?
Yes. Adult classes are capped at 12 students on every course, so you get the same individual attention either way.
Can I switch from Standard to Intensive once I arrive?
Often yes, subject to availability. Speak to reception and they’ll help you adjust your timetable.