Why I moved to Malta to teach English

When I visited Malta for the first time in 2016 for a holiday from the busy London, I got an instant feeling I could live here. It was love at first sight. Now, 5 years later, I have been here for a couple of months already, teaching English.

There are multiple reasons to give Malta a shot: 300 days of sunshine per year, the stunning beauty of azure Mediterranean waters to play in, and last but not least, 7,000 years of rich intercultural heritage. Over Millenia, many peoples made Malta their home, most recently the British.

This means virtually everyone speaks English here. The math is simple: native English environment minus the British weather and prices. Here you can learn your favourite language while enjoying a killer holiday which is why I’m never short of students to teach.

The Hidden Gem of the Mediterranean

The best things come in small packages. Indeed, apart from the geographical benefits, the Maltese Islands are packed full of other attractions. Here, there’s something for everyone.

Remember you’re in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea — half-way between Europe and North Africa, so what you can expect is the spirit of holiday felt on the streets for most of the year. You’ll feel keen to take your learning out of the classroom to socialise with the friendly and hospitable locals.

To relax, you can spend time on one of the beautiful beaches, enjoy the breath-taking views while hiking, or — last but not least — enjoy a variety of nature’s remedies to modern life: dive to explore sea life and shipwrecks, camp in the wild or simply relax by the coast with your favourite drink.

Cultural heritage

But Malta is not just about leisure. It has been a strategic place throughout centuries; since its prehistoric origins the archipelago has gone through a series of diverse cultural transformations which contributed to its eclectic character of today.

To start with, the dozens of mysterious UNESCO-endorsed megalithic temples spread across Malta and Gozo, some of which as old as over 5,500 years, we step onto a land whose sacred past leaps way beyond antiquity.

Malta’s culturally diverse identity is thus somewhat organic. Here English red telephone boxes and Victorian lanterns somehow suit the limestone cities with Arabic-sounding names, all soaked in the Mediterranean feel you also get from Greece, Italy or Spain.

Notably, the New Testament’s Book of Acts tells us a story of St Paul. The initiate Christian apostle in the year 60 AD allegedly sought refuge on the northern shore of Melita (the original name for Malta) which was how Malta became Christian.

Even further back in history, the Greek poet Homer in his epic masterpiece Odyssey talks about Calypso – a nymph guilty of seducing the main protagonist, Odysseus, and imprisoning him as her lover for 7 years, nowhere else than on Gozo – the second largest of the Maltese islands.

Finally, Malta has been the home to the legendary Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem otherwise known as The Knights of Malta, whose predecessors, The Order of the Knights Hospitaller, received the island as a gift from the Pope in 1530.

Such diverse cultural influences across the ages make Malta steeped in its own kind of mythological significance. No wonder why so many Hollywood productions such as the Game of Thrones were filmed here.

In short, Malta has it all: the weather, fun, natural beauty and culture all packed up in a pocket-size universe of new experiences for you to explore.

Before you come

7 facts you should know about Malta:

• Malta has been a member of the EU since 2008 and its currency is the Euro.
• The Maltese language (which, interestingly, is the only Semitic language using the Latin alphabet) is doing great. For example, to apply for a teaching position in a Maltese public school, it is officially required to speak fluent Maltese.
• Despite its modern multicultural outlook, the Maltese do have respect for their tradition. For example, to work as a Religious Education teacher one must identify as a Roman-Catholic to conform to Malta’s household religion.
• The University of Malta offers a range of higher education courses with world-renowned excellence in the research of Classics and Archaeology.
• Xterra Malta hosts several athletic outdoor events throughout the year, ranging from 5k runs, triathlons, all the way to ultra marathons, such as the renowned Gozo Ultra 55K for which I'm training right now!
• ‘Festa’ is a Maltese tradition kept alive across different localities of the islands; during summer weekends, the locals celebrate the memory of their local parish patron saint by feasting and decorating the area in strong colours and fireworks.
• Talking about food, I almost forgot about the cuisine! If you’re a fan of seafood, there is plenty of variety of mouth-watering offerings. The Maltese know their cooking. If seafood isn’t for you, roast rabbit is one of Malta’s signature dishes.

There's little Malta doesn't have on offer despite its modest size. If you're tired of fast-paced modern living and crave a no-frills adventure-packed southern alternative, you should feel home here, as I do.

The right choice

Located within, yet on the southernmost edge of the EU – between Europe, Africa and Asia Minor – Malta’s syncretistic appeal merges with Western lifestyle quite naturally. This is what seems to make it so easy for a westerner to embrace its exotic yet familiar character.

After several years of rushing through my days in London, I find Malta perfect for developing as an EFL teacher while having access to all its natural and historical riches, living a simpler and quieter life.

Here, performing your simple day’s routine is already a gift. Have your early morning swim in the crystalline waters of Spinola Bay, get some fresh fish from the Marsaxlokk Fish Market, feel the breeze during your afternoon trek in Dingli Cliffs and wind down with friendly locals in the evening.

Try it for yourself - come visit us this summer!