Choosing Host-family Accommodation in Malta

A unique opportunity to discover the local way of life

When you stay with a host-family you experience something that you won’t in other kinds of accommodation. Malta might be small, but it’s got a wealth of entertainment, history and cultural identity. In between all the traditional aspects and the nightlife scene, there’s something uniquely Maltese about the way things are done. And it’s not something that can be described as much as felt.

Here are the top reasons to consider staying with host-families in Malta:

1. Experience local life

Staying with a host-family in Malta gives you a slice of the local life. No matter how much you read about a destination’s culture and customs, the real way to get to know a place is through spending time with the locals. Get tips on what the locals do and where they go to discover Malta’s gems beyond the tourist trail.

2. Home away from home

Homes are places of warmth and familiarity to return to after a long day out and about. With our host-families, you’ll feel comfortable right away. Those who open their homes to travellers are generous and hospitable people who’ll do their best to make sure you adapt to life in Malta as another member or the family. Be prepared for hearty, home cooked meals and bonds that will last a lifetime.

3. The food

Host-families prepare breakfast and dinner for their guests. You’ll never have to worry about rushing to make a snack before setting off to school in the morning, or spending more money on dinner everyday. Even better, you’ll get to try a number of local, home-cooked meals throughout your stay. If you have any allergies or special-diets, these can be catered for as well. On the other hand, if you prefer to have meals out instead of with the family, it’s also an option.

4. Practice English on a daily basis

For English language school students in Malta choosing homestay is a chance to practice English beyond the classroom environment. Learn how the language is used in everyday situations and practice all the things you’ve learnt in class while at the same time getting to know some locals and sharing stories about your cultures.

5. Host family accommodation is still independent

Even though you’ll be staying with a family, you’ll still have an independent trip. The family you’ll be staying with will go on with their normal routine or work and all, so you don’t have to to worry about that. Most host-families give students their own key, so they can enter and leave the house as they please.

6. Value for money

Home-stays are a great value for money – it provides travellers with a richer experience. Apart from that, since it’s offered on a half-board basis, it’s an easy way to budget for your trip. You already know that you have breakfast and dinner taken care of before arrival.

If you would like to enquire about accommodation with a host-family for your language course, get in touch at [email protected].

Get Quote

What’s learning English in Malta like in Winter?

Benefit from Low Season Rates and Learn English during the Winter season in Malta

Winter in Malta is different from most other European countries. It’s very mild and mostly lasts a few months, from October to March. The official summer is usually known to be from June till the end of August, which is also when the entire island operates using high-season rates. The months of September, October, April and May are usually blessed with the summer weather, and the added benefit of low-season rates.

The same applies to English courses with BELS in the winter months. So if improving your English skills has been on your mind lately, here are 4 brilliant reasons to learn English with us at BELS Malta and Gozo between September – May.

1.  Our English courses are on low-season rates

If you’ve been putting off studying English for financial reasons, this is a great opportunity to invest in your education. From September till June, all our English courses and accommodation options go back to our low season rates.

2. The weather is still amazing

The summer rates might be over, but Mediterranean climate makes for a pleasant stay all year round. While the weather does vary from year to year, the months of September, October and November tend to be mostly sunny. Sunny days are common all year round. And spring comes about earlier than most other countries, with people having their first swims as early as March. One thing’s for sure, Malta is warmer than most other countries at this time of the year. It’s a chance to escape the rain and gloomy weather, while also boosting your English skills.

3. You can still enjoy outdoor activities

That goes for water sport activities, as well as outdoor-activities in the likes of hiking, horse-riding, cycling etc. While the climate is still warm and the sun’s still out, the temperatures are milder, and the heat-waves are over. You can enjoy physical-activities without the extreme temperatures slowing you down.

4. Malta is less crowded

These months offer the perfect balance between high-season and winter. They’re still popular with tourists, yet the tourist-traffic is calmer than in the peak summer months. Whether it’s the beaches, restaurants or busses, there is a generally slower pace of life in Malta.

5. Perfect time to plan long-term studies

Since everything is cheaper, and the island is generally quieter, it’s a good place to relocate to for more serious studies rather than just a learning-holiday. Many students come to us for 6-12 months to take their English even further. Whether you’re on a gap-year, looking for a career change, or just a change of scenery, it’s a way to have a break and develop an essential life-skill at the same time.

Would you like to receive a free personalised quotation to learn English in Malta? Use the quote-builder below or get in touch at [email protected] and one of our team members will help you out.

Get Quote

Have a Unique Stay in Malta and Discover the Local Way of Life

Read tips from our local team members!

Malta’s loved for retaining its rustic charm and distinctive character even after parts of it have hopped on the train of modernity. Through all the changes over time, there’s still something uniquely Maltese about the way of life that lingers on. If you’re the kind of person who loves to listen to the story a new place has to tell, here’s how to get the most out of your trip and experience the local life.

1. Avoid the touristic centres in Malta

Sliema and St. Julian’s are the place to be for a good night out or a day of shopping. While you can find some divine eateries and a couple of traditional houses, it’s mostly commercial places. You won’t get a real feel of Malta if you stay there.

When in Malta, look for rustic villages or the less commercial towns like St. Pauls Bay and Mellieha in the North or Maraskala and Marsaxlokk in the south of the island. These places have a choice of natural, entertainment and historical places in their surroundings. And besides, wherever you stay in Malta, you’re just a short bus ride away from everything else.

2. Make use of Hostels, Airbnbs and Host-families in Malta

To get a genuine taste of the local life stay in apartments when studying English in Malta. They’re likely to be in local neighbourhoods, away from the hectic touristy places. It would be even better to try a host-family experience. It’s an opportunity to try home cooked Maltese food and pick up fresh produce from the road-side markets.

3. Find hidden locations and local restaurants

Anything that comes up on a surface level of a google search is usually a tourist place surrounded by tourist traps. To get off the beaten track you’ve got to venture past the first page of google. Ask some locals or look up articles written by travel bloggers studying English in Malta, they’ve got a knack for adventure. Get lost, you might find yourself somewhere beautiful. The best thing about studying English in Malta is knowing you’re safe (and we’ve got Taxify for those emergency situations).

For information about studying English in Malta and Gozo, contact us at [email protected]. or get a quote on the link below.

Get Quote