Living in Malta

Learning Maltese: how hard is it and what’s the best way to start?

Last updated 1 July 2026 · 8 min read

Is Maltese difficult to learn?

For most English speakers, Maltese is more challenging than languages such as Spanish or Italian. However, it is not as inaccessible as it may first appear.

Maltese belongs to the Semitic language family and developed through contact between Arabic and Romance languages, with English also influencing its modern vocabulary. This unusual combination is why some words may sound Arabic, while others resemble Italian, Sicilian or English.

Unlike Arabic, Maltese uses the Latin alphabet. There are several additional letters, including ċ, ġ, għ, ħ, ż and q, but you do not have to learn an entirely new writing system.

Some parts of the language will therefore feel familiar, while others will require more practice.

What makes Maltese challenging?

One of the main difficulties is pronunciation. Some letters represent sounds that do not exist in English, while combinations such as għ can change or lengthen the sound of the surrounding vowels.

Maltese grammar may also feel unfamiliar. Many words are formed from groups of root consonants, and verbs can change depending on the person, tense and form of the sentence. A direct word-for-word translation from English will not always work.

Another difficulty is the speed of everyday conversation. Maltese speakers may switch naturally between Maltese and English, sometimes within the same sentence. This can be confusing at first, even when you recognise individual words.

What makes Maltese easier?

The alphabet is relatively familiar, and Maltese spelling is generally more consistent than English spelling once you understand how the letters are pronounced.

You will also encounter words influenced by Italian and English. Someone who already speaks Italian, Sicilian or Arabic may recognise parts of the language more quickly, although Maltese is not simply a version of any one of these languages.

Most importantly, Malta gives you regular opportunities to hear the language. Place names, signs, local news, conversations, radio programmes and public announcements all provide exposure without requiring formal study.

There is no widely published official Foreign Service Institute difficulty ranking specifically for Maltese, so claims that it takes an exact number of hours to learn should be treated as estimates rather than firm rules. The time required depends heavily on your existing languages, how often you practise and the level you want to reach.

Do you need to learn Maltese to live and work in Malta?

You can manage most aspects of daily life in English. Many private-sector workplaces are international, particularly in technology, financial services, gaming, tourism and professional services.

Learning Maltese is therefore usually a personal and practical choice rather than an immediate condition for moving to Malta.

It becomes more valuable when your work involves frequent contact with the local community. This may include healthcare, education, customer-facing services, care work, government-related roles and jobs involving older residents who may feel more comfortable speaking Maltese.

Outside work, Maltese can also help you feel less like a temporary visitor. You may find it easier to speak with neighbours, follow local events and understand the humour and expressions used in everyday life.

What is the best way to start learning Maltese?

The most effective approach is to combine a structured beginner course with small amounts of real-world practice. Studying grammar alone is unlikely to make you comfortable speaking, while memorising phrases without understanding pronunciation can make it difficult for other people to understand you.

1. Learn how the letters sound

Before trying to memorise long vocabulary lists, spend some time learning the Maltese alphabet and its most distinctive sounds.

A few useful starting points are:

• ċ sounds similar to “ch” in chair
• ġ sounds similar to “j” in job
• j usually sounds like “y” in yes
• x sounds similar to “sh”
• ħ is a stronger, more pronounced “h”
• q is normally pronounced as a brief stop in the throat

You do not need perfect pronunciation immediately. The aim is to recognise the sounds well enough to repeat common words and understand what you hear.

2. Begin with phrases you can use immediately

Start with greetings, polite expressions and questions that are likely to come up in shops, workplaces and conversations with neighbours.

Pronunciation varies slightly between speakers and localities, so audio recorded by a native speaker is more useful than relying only on written pronunciation guides.

3. Take a structured beginner course

Malta has several public and university-based options for foreign residents.

The Directorate for Lifelong Learning and Employability offers Maltese as a Foreign Language, intensive Maltese and conversation courses. Classes may be held in person, online or through self-paced learning. The Directorate generally has intakes around February and October, although essential-skills courses may be organised throughout the year depending on demand. Applicants must normally be at least 15 years old, and a placement test may be required.

Jobsplus also offers Maltese language courses. Eligibility and funding may depend on the specific intake, so prospective learners should confirm the current conditions directly with Jobsplus.

The University of Malta also runs a progressive online programme. Its beginner unit is designed for people with no previous knowledge of Maltese and covers introductions, family, neighbourhoods and common everyday expressions. Further units gradually move into more complex conversations, grammar and professional use.

4. Practise in short, regular sessions

Ten or fifteen minutes every day is generally more useful than one long study session every few weeks.

A simple weekly routine could include:

• two short vocabulary or grammar sessions;
• one listening session using Maltese radio, videos or recorded dialogues;
• one class or conversation practice session;
• using at least one Maltese expression each day.

Choose vocabulary connected to your actual life. Learn how to order food, ask for directions, talk about your work and understand the numbers used in prices, dates and times. This gives the language an immediate purpose.

5. Tell people that you are learning

One practical difficulty in Malta is that people may respond in English as soon as they hear that you are not Maltese. They are usually trying to make the conversation easier, but this can reduce your opportunity to practise.

You can explain that you are learning and ask them to continue slowly in Maltese. Short interactions in shops, cafés or with colleagues can help you become comfortable using the language outside a classroom.

Do not wait until your grammar is perfect. Being willing to make small mistakes is part of learning to speak.

Can you learn Maltese through an app?

Maltese is still not available as a complete Duolingo course in 2026. You may come across references to proposed or community-supported Maltese courses, but there is currently no standard learning path for Maltese within the main Duolingo course catalogue.

Smaller Maltese-specific applications, videos, websites and tutor platforms are available, although resources are more fragmented than they are for widely taught languages.

An app can help you revise vocabulary and maintain a daily habit, but it should ideally be combined with audio, a teacher or conversations with native speakers. Pronunciation and listening are difficult to develop from text-only exercises.

How long does it take to speak basic Maltese?

You can learn greetings, numbers and basic polite expressions within a few weeks. After several months of regular study, you may be able to introduce yourself, handle simple transactions and understand familiar questions.

Holding an unscripted conversation takes longer because you need to recognise natural speech, form sentences and respond without translating every word in your head.

A realistic first goal is not “fluency”. It is reaching the point where you can:

• understand common greetings and questions;
• introduce yourself and describe your work;
• order food or ask for something in a shop;
• ask and understand simple directions;
• follow the general subject of a familiar conversation.

Once you can do these things, the language becomes easier to practise because you can begin using it in real situations.

What about children moving to Malta?

Malta’s education system is bilingual, and both English and Maltese are used in schools. The balance varies: some schools and individual classrooms use more English, while others rely more heavily on Maltese.

Parents should ask prospective schools how Maltese is taught to international pupils, what additional support is available and how the school approaches examinations. Children often develop listening and speaking skills through daily exposure, but they may still need structured support with reading, writing and grammar.

Is learning Maltese worth it?

You do not need to speak Maltese perfectly to show that you value the language. Even a few words can change the tone of an interaction.

Learning Maltese will not necessarily determine whether you can find a job or manage everyday life in Malta. English makes the initial move relatively straightforward. Maltese becomes valuable in a different way: it helps you understand the country you have moved to and participate more fully in local life.

Start with pronunciation, learn a few phrases you can use immediately and choose a course that gives you a clear structure. The first goal is simply to begin recognising and using the language around you.

Once you are planning your move, you can also browse current jobs in Malta on Konnekt.

Frequently asked questions about learning Maltese