https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52623 2026-04-04T19:13:33Z 2026-04-04T19:13:33Z Conrad, Herbert https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54135 2020-04-19T05:18:32Z 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Studies on the teaching of German as a foreign language in Maltese schools : a survey Authors: Conrad, Herbert Abstract: The scope of this article is to present a short Forschungsbericht or research report on some of the contributions towards the improvement of the teaching of German in Maltese schools made by students in their dissertations as part of their B.Educ. (Hons.) course. Due to the prevailing conditions, little or no research in this field was published in other form. The available studies can however reflect to some extent the work which is being done and might help to identify areas which require further investigation, especially in view of ongoing changes and the challenges accompanying them.

1996-01-01T00:00:00Z Martinez Fernandez, Juan Manuel https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54133 2020-04-19T05:18:32Z 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The teaching of Spanish in Maltese secondary schools : an overview of the current state and needs Authors: Martinez Fernandez, Juan Manuel Abstract: This contribution looks at the teaching of Spanish in Maltese secondary schools. However, before looking more closely at its establishment and development in Malta, it is probably desirable that we review the growth of Spanish in the world. In this manner we will be in a position to better understand the specific context of the teaching of Spanish in Forms IV and V in Maltese secondary schools.

1996-01-01T00:00:00Z Eynaud, Joseph https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54132 2020-04-19T05:18:31Z 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The teaching and learning of Italian in Malta : toward a new dimension Authors: Eynaud, Joseph Abstract: In talking about the presence of Italian in Malta one needs to look at the linguistic influence of a succession of many foreign rulers. After the Arabic domination (870-1092) that marked the semitic base of the Maltese language, the Normans who took over Malta in 1091 introduced Latin as the administrative language. From around 1400 onwards the official language used between the local Maltese government and the Central government in Sicily was not only Latin but also the Sicilian dialect (Wettinger 1993). The taking over of the Maltese Islands by the Knights of the Order of St. John and their long domain (1530-1798) marks a fundamental stage in Maltese linguistic history. The Tuscan dialect adopted by the Knights as their official language became the language of culture on the Islands. From the second half of the XVI century, official documents were written in Italian. This, however, did not hamper Maltese writers from making use of other Italian dialects, especially Sicilian and Neapolitan (Eynaud 1979). The brief period of French rule (1798-1800) does not entail important changes from a linguistic point of view. However, the primacy of the Italian language is put in jeopardy during the English domain (1800-1964). After the relative calmness of the first years, the English rulers started to make reservations against the use of the Italian language, perceived with suspicion following the Unification ofltaly. These events brought about the much discussed issue of The Language Question that characterised the socio-political history of Malta up to the Second World War. The year 1934 was decisive: the Constitution of Malta was modified so that the Maltese language became an official language alongside Italian and English. At a successive stage the Italian language was ousted from the University and the law courts. The definite degrading of Italian from official language came about in the month of May 1936. The subsequent entrance of Italy in the war of 1940 closes definitely the Language Question. The 1964 Maltese Constitution elevates the status of the Maltese language, promoting it to National Language, with English as the other Official language. Paradoxically the Italian language again gains position, at least, as to the number of Italian speakers in Malta. Today, all political controversies of the first half of this century are forgotten, and Italy has become the greatest partner of the island, not only in the political and economic fields but also in the cultural spheres. The diffusion of television programmes by RAJ and other private Italian networks has rendered the Maltese viewers almost completely dependent on Italian television, at least until the recent arrival of cable television. As a consequence, the young generation not only absorb and reproduce Italian modes of saying, but look up to Italy as a way of life to admire and imitate.

1996-01-01T00:00:00Z Camilleri Grima, Antoinette Galea, Audrey https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54069 2022-01-18T06:03:54Z 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: First-language grammar in the classroom : from consciousness raising to learner autonomy Authors: Camilleri Grima, Antoinette; Galea, Audrey Abstract: According to students grammar lessons are boring and tedious. If you ask them why they will tell you that almost all they do in grammar lessons is to study and to practice 'rules' (see Micallef 1995). When asked how they feel about learning 'grammar', Form 3 students at a Juniour Lyceum stated that grammar " ... tad-dwejjaq, fiha qabda regoli, u li fiha ma nifhmu xejn. Kollox trid tistudja bl-amment ghall-eiami" (it is tedious, full of rules that we do not understand. Everything has to be studied for the exam). When asked why they think they should learn grammar they replied that without it "ma niktbux Malti tajjeb u importanti ghax tkun fl-eiamf' (we cannot write Maltese correctly, and it is important for the exam). Form 1 students were also asked to give their opinion about grammar and grammar lessons. They think that they need to study grammar "biex nispellu tajjelf' (to spell correctly); and that grammar is" dik li toqghod taghmel hafna jien, int, huwa, hija. Konna ndum u nimlew pages fil-Year 6 biex ghamilna tal-junior!" (full of conjugations. We used to fill pages of them when we were preparing to sit for the 11 + examination). Little do they know that as native speakers they make constant use of grammar in their everyday communication!

1996-01-01T00:00:00Z