Since 2005, the Department of Maltese has been entrusted with teaching Maltese as a foreign language, developing a programme that welcomes learners from all walks of life. Learning Maltese is more than just a boost to your CV, or a means of communicating with a Maltese partner, relatives, friends, or colleagues. It offers a unique window into the Maltese way of thinking. It allows you to move beyond the typical tourist experience and navigate the island on your own terms, uncovering a rich tapestry of everyday life. It also connects you to a living language and culture, revealing unexpected links between Maltese and other languages—perhaps even with your own mother tongue.
If you’re interested in learning Maltese, the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta offers a flexible, progressive programme tailored to your needs and level. Each study-unit carries 4 ECTS and consists of 28 hours of live, interactive instruction delivered online, with additional tutorials. Lessons are designed to develop your skills in grammar, conversation, listening, and cultural understanding.
The study-units offered each semester are determined at the discretion of the Department and are subject to demand. Units will only run if a sufficient number of applications is received, and places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Applications for some units may close early once capacity is reached.
This unit is intended for complete beginners in Maltese. Participants will learn how to pronounce, read, understand and write basic words, short sentences, and the most common expressions used in everyday language, such as introducing oneself, one’s family and friends, and one’s neighbourhood. Teaching is set against the Maltese socio-cultural background so that the unit serves as an introduction to both the Maltese language and the community that speaks it.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 1.
This unit is designed for students who already have some knowledge of Maltese. Participants will learn how to communicate in Maltese in various situations in daily life, such as expressing basic needs and preferences, booking a table at a restaurant and making an appointment, asking for directions, communicating in shops and other public spaces, and talking about themselves, their family and their daily activities.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 1.
MAL0013 Pre-Intermediate Level
This unit is geared toward students who have followed MAL0011 and MAL0012 and/or already have basic knowledge of Maltese. Participants will learn how to communicate in Maltese about general topics, such as the natural environment, clothing, and hobbies, as well as about situations from the past and plans for the future. In addition to mastering more advanced grammar, students will develop conversation and listening skills based on longer dialogues, interactive conversation, role-playing, and listening comprehension.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 1.
This unit is designed for students who have successfully followed the first three levels and/or already have knowledge of Maltese as a Foreign Language. Participants will learn how to communicate in Maltese about general topics such as health, career, and culture in more detail, as well as about situations requiring further lexical knowledge such as appearances and personality description.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 2.
This unit is designed for students who have successfully followed the first four levels and/or already have knowledge of Maltese as a Foreign Language. Participants will enhance their communicative abilities in Maltese by exploring a wider range of topics including current events, social issues and general media. The unit will focus on developing a deeper understanding of these subjects and providing the necessary grammar to express ideas and opinions more effectively. By the end of the unit, learners will be better equipped to engage in more detailed conversations and express themselves confidently in various contexts.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 2.
This unit is designed for students who have followed units of Maltese as a foreign language up to MAL0016 or for those who have already acquired pre-Advanced knowledge of Maltese. The unit aims to bring students' proficiency to the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It focuses on advanced grammar and syntax, extensive vocabulary expansion (including idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms), and complex text comprehension and production. Participants will learn to communicate effectively on general topics such as current affairs, history, and future prospects, as well as in situations requiring idiomatic expressions peculiar to Maltese. Students will engage in in-depth discussions, listening exercises with native speakers, and writing tasks on complex topics. Upon completion of MAL0018, successful students will have achieved C1 level proficiency, enabling them to use Maltese effectively and flexibly for social and professional purposes.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 2.
MAL0021 Speak Maltese 1 - Basic Level
This unit is designed for students who would have normally satisfactorily completed either both MAL0011 and MAL0012 or MAL0012 alone. The primary objective is to facilitate communication through essential Maltese by speaking in a productive manner. Participants will learn how to produce concise sentences by accurately pronouncing words and common expressions that are encountered in daily life. This will empower them to initiate and maintain a brief conversation in Maltese regarding topics that are very familiar to them, such as myself, family, work, and hobbies, as well as to exchange elementary information and acquire goods and services.
This unit is pegged at MQF Level 1.
Each study-unit has 28 hours of lectures, that is two hours a week over 14 weeks. Some study-units may include additional tutorial sessions.
Study-units usually run in Semester 1 (October - February) and/or in Semester 2 (February - May). The UM academic calendar can be accessed here.
All study-units are delivered online through Zoom or a similar platform. Lectures are not recorded.
A registration fee per study-unit is applicable for both EU and non-EU citizens.
For UM students currently following an undergraduate / postgraduate course, study-units are free of charge. However, such students would first need to ask for their respective Board of Studies' permission to allow them to take the study-unit of their choice as an extra study-unit. Once the Board gives its approval, their home Faculty may proceed in registering them directly for the study-unit of their choice. This study-unit will be included in their Diploma supplement upon completion of their studies.
The Department of Maltese will take note of your interest, and send you all relevant information when application submissions for the units starting in the next available intake will be accepted.
Please send your expression of interest to malti.arts@um.edu.mt
An official detailed transcript (free of charge) is issued and presented to students who successfully complete a study-unit. Students will be duly informed when to collect this document.
Certificates of Attendance cannot be issued.
