Il-ħaddiema barranin u l-Malti

Abstract

Forsi meta wieħed jaħseb fid-Dipartiment tal-Malti fl-Università ta’ Malta, l-ewwel affarijiet li jiġuh f’moħħu jkunu l-istudju tal-lingwa u l-lingwistika u dak tal-letteratura, b’udjenza fil-mira li b’mod ġenerali tkun magħmula minn kelliema nattivi tal-Malti. Għad li verament isir xogħol marbut ma’ dawn l-oqsma għal din l-udjenza, b’mod speċjali fil-livell ta’ Baċellerat, Masters u Dottorat, id-Dipartiment jaħdem mill-qrib mal-komunità — il-komunità tal-kelliema tal-Malti u ta’ dawk il-persuni li jkunu jixtiequ jitgħallmu l-lingwa. F’dan l-artiklu qasir, nagħti ħarsa lejn ħafna mix-xogħol li d-Dipartiment tal-Malti beda jwettaq b’risq il-Malti bħala lingwa barranija sa mis-sena akkademika 2005/06. Dan nagħmlu billi niddiskuti r-riżorsi li nħolqu, kif ukoll it-taqsimiet studju li jiġu offruti u għal min huma maħsuba.

Malta has experienced a significant increase in migrant workers over the past decade, driven by economic growth, labour shortages in key sectors, and its strategic position within the Mediterranean migration route. The construction, hospitality, healthcare, and i-gaming industries, in particular, have attracted a growing number of foreign workers from countries such as Italy, the Philippines, India, Romania, and other EU and non-EU states, helping to fill gaps in the local labour market. This influx has contributed to Malta’s economic performance and demographic diversity but has also posed challenges related to social integration, housing, and access to public services. This growing multicultural workforce has also highlighted the importance of the Maltese language as a key element of social integration and national identity, serving as both a practical means of communication and a symbol of the country’s cultural heritage.

In this context, Kirsty Azzopardi highlighted the evolving role of the Department of Maltese. Historically focused on literature for native speakers, the Department has transformed since 2005 into a hub for Teaching Maltese as a Foreign Language (TMFL).