Paese che vai, usanze che trovi : insegnare la cultura italiana nelle scuole medie maltesi

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how cultural elements are integrated in the teaching of Italian, especially in Form 1 classes. We will examine the past and present situation of the teaching of Italian Culture with reference to the present Italian Syllabus. To do so we carried out research in Junior Lyceums, Area Secondary and in Church Schools, both in Gozo and in Malta. The sample was divided equally between boys and girls. In the beginning of the scholastic year 2007-2008, we distributed a questionnaire to Form 1 students with some basic questions on Italian culture in order to investigate their knowledge of this field. At the end of the same scholastic year, another questionnaire was distributed to the same students and we asked them to provide information on the same cultural aspects. The results of the two sets of questionnaires will be compared to see if the school has managed to guide the students towards the acquisition of the notions included in the questionnaire. Finally, we intend to interview the teachers of the students included in the sample to ask them about the teaching methods used when teaching Italian culture. This will help us find out how much importance is given to Italian culture. Finally, our intent is to identify the aspects which are considered most interesting and motivating by the students and the approach which is considered to be most effective by teachers of Italian in order to impart notions related to culture.