Learn Maltese Online: The Honest Guide for Beginners and Expats in Malta

Living in Malta and wondering how to actually learn Maltese? Or planning a trip and want more than tourist phrases? Here’s the honest 2026 guide to the two structured options that exist, realistic timelines, and what to expect as a foreigner.

As someone who has spent over 20 years learning languages through self-study, from Norwegian to Danish, Swedish, French and currently Spanish, I know what separates a useful online course from a waste of time. I’ve tested more than 30 language courses and apps over the years and published four language learning books documenting my methods. Maltese isn’t one of the languages I’ve studied in depth myself, but two decades of evaluating courses across very different language families give me a solid basis to judge what works for a language this small.

Maltese is a fascinating and unique language: the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet, blending Arabic roots with strong Italian and English influences. As the national language of Malta and one of the 24 official languages of the European Union, it connects you to a rich Mediterranean culture. Whether you plan to travel, move to Malta for work, or reconnect with Maltese family roots, learning even a bit of it changes how locals treat you.

The problem: unlike Spanish or French, structured Maltese learning resources are extremely rare. In 2026, only two options seriously qualify as complete courses. Choosing the right one for your situation matters.

Is Maltese hard to learn?

Maltese is moderately hard for English speakers. The Semitic grammar (verb roots, article assimilation, gendered nouns) is unfamiliar, but the Latin alphabet, roughly 40 to 50 percent Italian and English loanwords, and consistent phonetic pronunciation make Maltese far more approachable than Arabic or Hebrew. Most learners reach conversational level in 3 to 4 months of daily practice.

That short answer covers the query. Here’s the fuller picture, because it depends on your background.

Maltese is classified as a Semitic language, which means its verb roots and grammar are fundamentally different from English, German or the Romance languages. If you’ve ever studied Arabic, you’ll recognise some patterns immediately. For most European learners, the first weeks feel foreign.

Three things make Maltese far more accessible than people expect:

• Latin alphabet: Maltese uses the Latin script plus a few extra characters (ċ, ġ, għ, ħ, ż). No new writing system to learn.
• Italian and English loanwords: Roughly 40 to 50 percent of Maltese vocabulary comes from Italian and Sicilian, with modern English terms mixed in. Words like telefon, università or futbol are instantly recognisable.
• Consistent pronunciation: Maltese is largely phonetic. Once you learn the sound rules, you can read and pronounce most words correctly.

From two decades of testing courses across very different language families, one thing is clear: the difficulty of a language matters far less than the quality of your method. A structured course with daily practice will get you further in Maltese than an unstructured approach in an “easy” language. In my own journey from zero to business-level Norwegian, it was the systematic vocabulary method, not the language itself, that made the difference.

The U.S. Foreign Service Institute doesn’t publish an official difficulty rating for Maltese. Based on its Semitic structure, most linguists estimate roughly 900 class hours (about 36 weeks full-time) to reach professional proficiency, comparable to FSI Category III. For conversational basics, plan on 3 to 4 months of consistent daily practice.

How long does it take to learn Maltese?

Based on my experience with five languages and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), here’s a realistic timeline for Maltese:

These timelines assume consistent daily practice. In my experience, the learners who progress fastest aren’t the ones who study for hours on weekends. They’re the ones who build a short daily routine, even just 15 minutes at breakfast or on the commute. That’s exactly how I built my Norwegian skills over time, and it’s the approach I recommend for Maltese too.

The best self-study online course for Maltese

After evaluating the available options, I recommend the 17-Minute-Languages Maltese course as the best self-paced structured course for English speakers who want to learn at home, on their own schedule. Here’s why:

• 1,300+ vocabulary words taught in context through dialogues and real-life phrases
• Long-term memory method using spaced repetition, a technique I’ve relied on in my own language learning for nearly two decades
• Short daily units of 15 to 20 minutes are enough for steady progress
• Native-speaker audio for every phrase, essential for a language with pronunciation patterns unfamiliar to most Europeans
• Works on any device (PC, tablet, smartphone), progress syncs automatically
• No subscription: one-time payment with lifetime access

The course covers the essentials: greetings, travel vocabulary, shopping, asking for directions, expressing opinions and much more. Every new word is embedded in example sentences, so you learn it in context, not as an isolated flashcard.

Methodologically, what stands out is the spaced repetition system. Having written four books on vocabulary acquisition myself, I can confirm this approach is backed by decades of cognitive science research. It’s the same principle I used to build my Norwegian vocabulary from zero to over 5,000 words.

Which Maltese course level is right for you?

For complete beginners, the basic course is the starting point. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Maltese.

If you already have some Maltese, perhaps from time spent in Malta or Maltese family connections, you can take a free placement test to check your level and start from there.

17-Minute-Languages offers the Maltese Basic Course (A1 to A2). Advanced levels (B1, B2, C1) aren’t available through 17ML for Maltese in 2026. If you want to go beyond A2, see the Maltese for Foreigners section below.

Which apps and courses actually offer Maltese in 2026?

Short answer: only two structured options. Maltese remains absent from the mainstream language apps. Here’s the honest comparison:

My advice: start with the 17-Minute-Languages self-study course for daily practice. Once you reach A2, add an iTalki tutor for conversation. If you live in Malta or want an academic certificate, look at the University of Malta’s MAL0011 to MAL0013 sequence in the Maltese for Foreigners section below.

How the learning method works

The 17ML course uses a long-term memory method based on spaced repetition. In practice:

1. A new word is introduced with audio, example sentence and translation.
2. You recall it the next day. If correct, the interval grows (2 days, then 4, 8, 16 days).
3. If you forget, it goes back to day 1.
4. Once a word survives all intervals, it’s stored in your long-term memory.

This isn’t a gimmick. Spaced repetition is one of the most well-researched techniques in cognitive psychology. I’ve used this exact principle to build vocabulary for my Norwegian and Danish books, and I’ve seen it work consistently across thousands of words.

You also pick your preferred exercise type each day: multiple choice for quick sessions, text input for deeper recall, or listening comprehension to train your ear. Mixing methods keeps motivation up and stops the routine from becoming monotonous.

Why learn Maltese? 5 practical reasons

• Travel: Malta is one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Speaking even basic Maltese transforms the trip. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, because almost no tourists try.
• Living or working in Malta: Malta’s economy is booming in iGaming, fintech and tourism. Most business runs in English, but foreigners who also speak Maltese are treated differently. See the Maltese for Foreigners section below.
• Culture: Maltese literature, music (għana) and festivals are deeply tied to the language. Understanding Maltese opens a cultural world English alone cannot access on the islands.
• Cognitive benefits: Learning a language from a different family (Semitic vs. Germanic or Romance) challenges your brain in new ways. Multilingualism supports long-term cognitive health.
• A rare achievement: Only around 520,000 native speakers worldwide. Speaking Maltese as a foreigner is a genuine conversation starter and a mark of intellectual curiosity.

Maltese for Foreigners: what to do if you live in Malta

If you’re moving to Malta or already living there, self-study alone will only take you so far. Being seen as someone who really tried, and being accepted by neighbours, colleagues and your partner’s family, usually means combining structured learning with real conversation practice.

Honest note first: 17-Minute-Languages doesn’t offer a B1, B2 or Business Maltese course. Neither does anyone else in the app market. If you want to go beyond A2, three routes actually work.

1. University of Malta, Department of Maltese

The University runs the Maltese as a Foreign Language sequence: MAL0011 (Beginner), MAL0012 (Elementary) and MAL0013 (Pre-Intermediate). In 2026, the Department of Maltese also launched its first self-paced online course. Semester structure, real assessment, low per-semester fee. This is the closest thing to an academic Maltese qualification you’ll find.

2. iTalki tutors

Once you’re past A1, one-to-one speaking practice matters more than any app. iTalki has Maltese tutors, typically 10 to 20 euros per hour. Two 30-minute sessions per week is enough to move faster than any solo self-study.

3. Free courses via Malta’s Ministry for Education

Residents can access free Maltese language courses through public adult-learning programmes. If you’re on the island long-term, ask at your local Skola tal-Adulti.

None of these replaces the 17-Minute-Languages self-study foundation. They add to it. The combination I’d suggest for someone living in Malta: 17ML for daily solo practice from day one, iTalki tutor from month two, and University of Malta’s MAL0011 online option if you want a formal certificate.

Essential Maltese phrases to start with

To give you a head start, here are the phrases you’ll learn first in the course:

Want more? See the full 100+ Maltese phrases with pronunciation guide.

Frequently asked questions about learning Maltese

Is Maltese easy to learn for English speakers?

Maltese is moderately challenging for English speakers. The Semitic grammar structure is unfamiliar, but the Latin alphabet and large share of Italian and English loanwords make vocabulary acquisition easier than expected. Most learners reach conversational level in a few months with a structured course and 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice.

Can I learn Maltese for free?

Free Maltese resources are very limited. You’ll find YouTube channels and basic word lists, but no comprehensive free course like Duolingo offers for Spanish or French. The 17-Minute-Languages course offers a free 2-day trial so you can test the full course. If you live in Malta, the Ministry for Education runs free adult-learning Maltese courses.

Is Maltese similar to Arabic?

Maltese has Semitic (Arabic) roots in grammar and core vocabulary, but has evolved through centuries of Italian, French and English influence. Modern Maltese is a distinct language. If you speak Arabic, you’ll recognise some word patterns, but the languages aren’t mutually intelligible.

What is the best app to learn Maltese?

As of 2026, no major language app (Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Busuu) offers Maltese. The most comprehensive self-study option is the 17-Minute-Languages Maltese course, which works on all devices including smartphones.

I’m moving to Malta. Where should I start?

Start today with the 17-Minute-Languages Maltese course for daily 15-minute self-study. From month two, add a weekly iTalki tutor for speaking practice. Once settled in Malta, enroll in the University of Malta’s MAL0011 (Beginner) if you want structured academic progression or a certificate.

Related links

• 100+ Maltese phrases with pronunciation
• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• Train your listening comprehension
• Learning languages quickly, is it possible?
• The different types of language learners

Prefer another language?

• 🇩🇪 – Maltesisch: Sprachgeschichte und Herkunft
• 🇳🇴 – Lær maltesisk med et online språkkurs