Language essentials — English and Maltese basics
You do not need to be fluent in Maltese to work in Malta — but knowing key phrases shows respect and helps in daily situations. For the Phase 2 interview, functional workplace English is what matters most.
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4 sections7 key facts4 quiz questionsMaltese at a glance
Maltese (Malti) is a Semitic language descended from Siculo-Arabic, with significant borrowings from Italian, Sicilian, and English. It is the national language of Malta and the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.
Maltese is not required for most TCN workers in professional contexts — English is the working language across most sectors. However, learning a few greetings and courtesy phrases demonstrates cultural respect and makes daily social interactions warmer.
Pronunciation note: the letter 'għ' (ayin) is a glottal stop — often pronounced as a lengthening of the surrounding vowel in everyday speech. The letter 'ħ' is a voiceless pharyngeal fricative — similar to the English 'h' but more emphatic.
Essential Maltese phrases
Greetings: Bonġu (Good morning), Bonswa (Good evening), Merħba (Welcome/Hello), Sahħa (Goodbye / Cheers). In very informal settings, 'Ħej' is used like 'Hey'.
Courtesy: Jekk jogħġbok (Please), Grazzi (Thank you), M'hemmx imbliem / Prego (You're welcome), Skużani (Excuse me / I'm sorry).
Practical: Fejn hu...? (Where is...?), Kemm jiswu? (How much does it cost?), Ma nifhimx (I don't understand), Tkellem bl-Ingliż? (Do you speak English?).
Numbers 1–10: wieħed, tnejn, tlieta, erbgħa, ħamsa, sitta, sebgħa, tmienja, disgħa, għaxra.
Workplace English for the Phase 2 interview
The Phase 2 interview assesses your ability to communicate in English in a workplace context. You do not need advanced academic English — you need clear, polite, workplace-appropriate communication.
Key functions to practise: introducing yourself professionally, describing your job role and duties, asking for clarification when you don't understand something, describing how you would handle a workplace scenario (e.g. a problem with a colleague, a task you haven't done before), and expressing agreement or respectful disagreement.
Useful phrases for the interview: 'Could you please repeat that?', 'I'm not sure I understood — do you mean...?', 'In my experience, I would...', 'I would ask my supervisor if I was unsure', 'That hasn't happened to me, but I would handle it by...'
Communicating in Malta day to day
English is universally understood across Malta in service contexts, shops, healthcare, and government offices. You will rarely need Maltese to get through daily tasks.
Many Maltese people switch freely between Maltese and English within the same conversation (a phenomenon called code-switching). Don't be confused if a colleague speaks to you in English but switches to Maltese with another colleague — it is a natural feature of daily communication.
When in doubt about which language to use, English is always the safe choice in professional and service contexts.
Key facts to remember
- Maltese is a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet — the only one in the world
- English is co-official and used across all professional, government, and service contexts
- Phase 2 tests workplace English — not formal or academic English
- Key Maltese greetings: Bonġu (morning), Bonswa (evening), Merħba (hello/welcome), Grazzi (thank you)
- Jekk jogħġbok = Please; Skużani = Excuse me / I'm sorry
- Code-switching (mixing Maltese and English) is normal in Maltese daily conversation
- Numbers 1–5 in Maltese: wieħed, tnejn, tlieta, erbgħa, ħamsa
Study tips
- Focus 80% of your language preparation on English — specifically on the kinds of workplace sentences you will need in Phase 2. Practise speaking, not just reading.
- Learn 10–15 Maltese phrases and use them in the right situations. Even basic greetings in Maltese make a strong positive impression.
- Rehearse the 'I don't understand — could you repeat that?' phrase in English until it feels natural. Using it in Phase 2 is not a failure — it is good communication.
- Record yourself answering practice questions in English and listen back. Most people are surprised by habits they didn't know they had.
Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time trying to learn Maltese grammar when workplace English is what the assessment actually tests
- Not practising spoken English — reading it and speaking it fluently are very different skills
- Being afraid to ask for clarification in Phase 2 — this shows communication skill, not weakness
- Thinking code-switching (mixing languages) means Maltese people expect you to speak Maltese
Quick review
What is special about Maltese compared to other Semitic languages?
It is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.
How do you say 'Thank you' in Maltese?
Grazzi.
What does Phase 2 assess in terms of language?
Your ability to communicate in English in a workplace context — using clear, polite, professional English.
What should you say in Phase 2 if you don't understand a question?
'Could you please repeat that?' or 'I'm not sure I understood — do you mean...?' Asking for clarification demonstrates good communication skills.