https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/11622 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:59:23 GMT 2026-04-20T08:59:23Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104213 Title: Attitudes, motivation and methodology preferences when learning English : a contrastive analysis between Arabs and Nubians in Egypt Abstract: Rural Arabs’, urban Arabs’ and rural Nubians’ were explored and contrasted in Egypt. By ‘attitude’, participants’ views, perceptions, feelings and experiences were solicited regarding native speakers of English and their countries, ‘Western’ culture, values and lifestyle, in addition to the specific attitude towards English as a language. The theoretical underpinning, while analyzing attitudes towards English in this thesis was based and developed following established theories that present English in its expanding role as a ‘language of imperialism’. This theory, stipulating English’s hegemonic role that may weaken indigenous languages and pushes fragile cultures to extinction, was of particular importance, for example when considering Nubian society, culture and language. In direct contrast, the possibility of English being used as a ‘linguistic and sociocultural counterbalance’ by Nubians versus Arabic and the dominant Arab cultural group was also a reality that was explored. The underlying working theory for this segment of the thesis was based on issues of language and power. In this scenario English may present as an aid, a linguistic tool for pedagogy to an oppressed cultural group: specifically the Nubians suffering from cultural erosion due to Arabic’s hegemonic presence. Therefore Nubian’s attitudes towards the greater presence of English in their community were particularly solicited: was English an additional infringement on their social, cultural and linguistic heritage, or was the attitude towards English positive, seen as a harbinger of new and expanding opportunities? The three cohorts were also examined and compared for their motivation for learning English, this being fully integrated and contrasted with established theories on motivation for language learning around the world. These theories explore positive role as seen by learners of English in both interpersonal and transactional sociocultural domains. In this study, ‘motivation’ describes the ensemble of factors that drive learners of English to initiate or improve their language level. Thus, interpersonal motivation refers to those which explore learners wishes to know more about art, literature, world news and culture and a broad spectrum of world affairs and phenomena, with the underlying desire for the learners to connect ‘self’ with ‘the rest of the world’. Conversely, transactional motivation refers to the underlying drive for learners to utilize English as a tool for furthering their technical training and skills, formal education and the general package of factors needed for bettering their opportunities for employment and financial security and bettering their career. Learners' preferences for different learning methods in the English class were also explored, particularly as Nubian and Arab students often share the same class, and generally having Arab teachers. Arabic is the compulsory language of instruction which may disadvantage Nubian learners following a curriculum as prescribed by Arab policies and using Arabic contextualization while teaching. The working rationale underpinning this aspect of the thesis is based on the reality that teaching methodologies in Egypt for English focus on the traditionally more prestigious language skills for Arabs: reading and writing. These methodologies are therefore preferred to the more communicative approaches currently used in many contemporary English classrooms. Non-communicative approaches may not necessarily reflect Nubians' preferred learning methods for learning English, accustomed to learning L1 through communicative methods. These factors, when compounded may seriously disadvantage Nubian learners in the classroom, adding to the sociocultural disadvantageous situation and further cultural erosion and cultural decay. These ideas are linked to issues of language, education and power, which are simultaneously reflected on learners# attitudes and motivation towards learning English as described above. The use of English as a language of instruction for subjects other than English was also explored. A Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach was considered to be practical and necessary by both Arabs and Nubians, and by highly-educated urbanites and rural people alike. Research in this study consisted of a chronologically overlapping set of different studies, thereby allowing triangulation of results. A period of acculturation and a sensitizing phase for the researcher preceded the actual studies, nurturing a sociocultural appreciation, and developing an understanding for the use of language in various domains. A mixed method approach, combining the strengths and qualities of both qualitative and quantitative studies was adopted. Qualitative studies commenced with the researcher's participant observation of rural Nubians in Upper Egyptian villages. This was followed by interviews held in Nubia, oases such as Fayoum, the Nile Delta and Cairo. Information stemming from these studies was pooled and processed via the general inductive approach, based on grounded theory. Description: PH.D.ENGLISH Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104213 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101200 Title: France in the Maltese collective memory : an analysis of the perceptions and interpretations of the uprising against the French (1798) and their place in the national memory as perpetuated by the media to modern times Abstract: This study attempts to investigate a crucial period of Maltese history at the end of the eighteenth century and analyze its possible effects on the national collective memory and subsequent identity formation of the Maltese. In the belief that after an uprising by the majority of the inhabitants against Bonaparte's newly-installed republic in 1798, the place of France in the Maltese collective memory has been shaped by various media through a series of perceptions and interpretations, this researcher examines passive and active collective remembering and invented traditions as introduced by dominant institutions, namely the British colonial rulers and the Catholic Church, over the past two centuries. Through literature relevant to collective memory theories, particularly those of a presentist perspective, this study proceeds to determine the significance these mnemonic products and practices must have had on the formation of Malta's present perceived identity. After scrutinizing the veracity of textual data surrounding the insurrection and subsequent two-year blockade as related by foreign and Maltese eyewitnesses and narrators, all suffering from apparent partiality, the researcher analyzes their relationship with the media and public space mnemonics vis-a-vis their generational influence on the community. In this investigation the author attempts to find out if contemporary Maltese citizens are suffering from a 'historical malady', victims of a 'forgetful' blocked memory which could possibly prevent the necessary development of vigorous links between past experience and future expectation. Analyzing its final conclusions this study enables the researcher to make suggestions and recommendations regarding the way forward towards the construction of a Maltese identity that rightly represents all. Description: PH.D.HISTORY Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101200 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101009 Title: Women in leadership positions within the media industry Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the situation of women in leadership positions within the broadcasting industry in Malta. It investigates whether the opportunity exists for women to sustain leadership posts within the industry. It focuses on feminist theory (Gallagher, 2001) that the media is still hierarchical dominated by males, which gives emphasis not only to the increase of percentage of women present in the media, but rather in the meanings and significance given to their participation in the media. Another question which is explored is whether women encounter any barriers in achieving a hierarchical position within the broadcasting industry. This research also focuses on whether media content would be any different, that is if there would be a change to gendered balanced media content, if there had to be women at the helm of the industry. The in-depth interviews and expert interviews provided the results which demonstrate that women suffer vertical segregation since leadership is still perceived as a male credential. Findings also revealed that although there is an increase of women who have joined the industry, they still find it difficult in smashing the glass ceiling in such a patriarchal hierarchy structures that exists within the broadcasting industry. The invisibility of women in top positions is evident. The study identifies the cultural barriers and obstacles women are restrained with in attaining leadership occupation because of the social structural and economic environment that still constrains women's choices (Hakim, 2003). It also depicts the social constructed leadership practices perceived as the norm in order to be trusted in leadership position within the broadcasting industry. The study discloses essential awareness and clarifies the importance of women working in audiovisual industry of being gender sensitised towards their colleagues and also towards the TV audiences. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/101009 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100542 Title: Desperate housewives or happy mums? Abstract: "The woman who strengthens her body and exercises her mind will, by managing her family and practising various virtues, become the friend, and not the humble dependent of her husband"(Wollstonecratt, 1995,p.99). The image of the happy housewife is that of a woman who provides sympathy and support for her breadwinner husband, and creatively brings up her children in a loving home environment. The purpose of this long essay is to identify whether Maltese women are satisfied as full time housewives and whether it was their choice to stay out of the workforce. The literature review spanned the period from the pre-industrial era to the present time concluding with the current situation among Maltese housewives. The results show how the housewife was always the pillar of the family and the prime carer. The quantitative research method was used in the form of a questionnaire. The research clearly highlights that the majority of Maltese women feel fulfilled with their choice as full time housewives. Other findings include the belief that the stereotype of a married woman stopping from work is no longer valid. With more childcare facilities nowadays women can make their own decisions whether to balance a carrier-family lifestyle or settle as a full time housewife. Nearly all the queries in the questionnaire were discussed and complemented with chai1s accordingly. The last part of this essay concludes with the summary of the findings and recommendations for future studies. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100542 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z