When you’re looking for somewhere to learn English, Ireland and Malta both come up. They’re two of Europe’s most popular destinations for language learners: both English-speaking, both compact and easy to get around. They’re quite different places, though, and the right choice depends on what you want from your trip.
Here’s an honest head-to-head to help you decide.
Cost of Living and Courses
Ireland is expensive. Dublin in particular has seen rents and living costs climb sharply in recent years. A shared apartment in the city can easily set you back €800 to €1,200 a month, and eating out adds up fast. Course fees tend to be higher too, which follows from the broader cost of living.
Malta is a good deal cheaper. Accommodation in St. Julian’s, where most language schools are concentrated, typically runs €400 to €700 a month for a shared flat, and a pint costs around €3 to €4 rather than €6 to €7. Course fees at Maltalingua include all materials and there are no booking fees, which makes budgeting much simpler. For learners watching their spending, Malta wins this round.
Weather and Lifestyle
This one comes down entirely to what you want. Ireland suits those who don’t mind grey skies and drizzle. There’s a real charm to Dublin’s cobbled streets in the rain, and Irish people are famously warm, but you won’t be spending much time on the beach. Winters are dark and long by European standards.
Malta is the opposite. It gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, summer temperatures pushing 35°C, and a coastline that makes the Mediterranean lifestyle very real. You can swim from March right through to November. If weather matters to you, for your mood, your comfort, or just the social life, Malta is the clear winner.
Getting There
Dublin Airport is well-connected, with direct flights from most major European cities and transatlantic routes. Getting to Ireland from mainland Europe is generally straightforward.
Malta’s airport (Luqa) has grown a lot and now offers direct routes from across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. From the UK, you can fly London to Malta in around three hours. For most European travellers it’s about as convenient as Dublin.
One small advantage: Malta is a small island, so once you land you’re essentially at your destination. There’s no further internal travel to sort out.
Class Sizes and Teacher Quality
Irish language schools vary widely. Larger chain schools can run classes of 15 to 20 students, particularly in peak season, and quality is inconsistent.
Maltalingua caps classes at 12 students with an average of 8 to 10, and all teachers are native and near-native English speakers with CELTA or DELTA qualifications. EAQUALS accreditation keeps the quality consistent. For learners who want meaningful speaking time in every lesson, smaller classes make a measurable difference.
Ireland doesn’t have a comparable small-class culture across its language schools, so this is a genuine difference worth weighing.
Visa Rules for Non-EU Students
Irish student visas are available but involve paperwork and processing times. You need to prove enrollment, funds, and often health insurance. The process is manageable but not instant.
Malta is more flexible for non-EU students. The Student Visa is fairly straightforward, and Malta’s lower living costs mean the financial threshold is easier to meet. For many learners, Malta’s immigration process is simpler and faster.
Social Life and Extracurriculars
Ireland is famous for its pub culture and social scene. Making friends is easy, and the craic (the Irish word for fun, conversation, company) is genuine. The catch is that a lot of that social life is built around drinking.
Malta’s social life is more varied. The rooftop pool and terrace at Maltalingua are part of a broader culture where social activities are built around the sea, sports, food, and events. With 40+ nationalities at any school at any time, the social mix is genuinely international. Students tend to form diverse friendship groups rather than sticking to national bubbles.
A Quick Comparison Summary
| Factor | Malta | Ireland |
|——–|——-|———|
| Course cost | Moderate | Higher |
| Living cost | €600 to €900/month | €1,000 to €1,500/month |
| Weather | Hot, sunny | Mild, often rainy |
| Class sizes | 8 to 12 (Maltalingua) | Varies, often larger |
| Teachers | Native and near-native English speakers | Native and near-native English speakers |
| Flight access | 2 to 4 hours from UK/EU | 1 to 3 hours from UK/EU |
| Visa (non-EU) | Relatively straightforward | More complex |
| Social scene | International, outdoor | Pub culture, indoor |
Which Should You Choose?
Go to Ireland if you want a European city experience with Irish pub culture, don’t mind grey weather, and have a bigger budget. Dublin is a genuinely great city and Irish people are wonderful hosts. For a short trip focused on city life, Ireland is a solid choice.
Go to Malta if you want sunshine, good value, small classes with qualified teachers, and a genuinely international social scene. It suits learners who want to combine serious study with a high quality of life: swimming after class, exploring the coastline, eating well without breaking the bank.
One more thing: Malta’s study-and-swim lifestyle suits learners who are there for two weeks or more. If you’re coming for a short intensive course and will be in class most of the day, Ireland’s city immersion might suit you better. For anything beyond three weeks, though, Malta’s lifestyle advantages really start to show.
Whichever you choose, make sure you request a course quotation to compare options and get a personalised learning plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to learn English in Malta or Ireland?
Malta is generally the more affordable option. Dublin in particular has some of the highest rents and living costs in Europe, while Malta keeps course fees, accommodation and everyday spending noticeably lower, so your budget stretches further over a multi-week stay.
Is the English taught in Malta British or American?
British English. Maltalingua’s teachers are native and near-native English speakers and the school is EAQUALS-accredited, so you learn standard British pronunciation, spelling and usage.
Do I need a visa to study English in Malta?
EU and EEA students don’t need a visa. Non-EU students may need a short-stay or long-stay visa depending on their nationality and course length, and our team checks this for you before you book.
Which is better for actually improving my English, Malta or Ireland?
Both immerse you in an English-speaking environment. Malta’s edge is class size and contact time: Maltalingua caps adult classes at 12 students, so you speak more and get more individual feedback than you would in a larger school.
Is Malta warm enough for a year-round language trip?
Yes. Malta enjoys roughly 300 days of sunshine a year and mild winters, so you can combine your course with beach time and outdoor activities in almost any month, something Ireland’s cooler, wetter climate can’t match.