Let’s stop pretending that nothing is happening to our national language

Abstract

The article argues that the Maltese language is being marginalized in state schools, where English has become the default medium of instruction due to logistical constraints and the inclusion of international students without adequate support structures. This shift deprives both Maltese and non-Maltese children of bilingualism's cognitive and social benefits, such as enhanced executive function, problem-solving, and empathy. A 2019 National Policy for Teaching Maltese as a Foreign Language, which proposed structured pathways for all students, remains unimplemented, leading to institutional paralysis. The author calls for political will and commitment to preserve Maltese as a living language, warning that without action, it risks becoming ceremonial amid globalization.