The competence of foreign languages apart from English among Gozitan primary students

Abstract

In this dissertation, we intended to identify the knowledge of foreign words and expressions, apart from the English language, amongst the year 5 & 6 Primary School children in Gozo. Moreover, we tried to analyse the reasons why these children know these words and expressions. We found out that Italian Television Channels are of great influence on Gozitan children, together with other factors such as the growing tourist industry etc. Our research, using a quantitative approach, was conducted in different environmental settings, one in Victoria, which absorbs children from all walks of life, and from different social backgrounds, and others from small environmental settings, including also one Church school. We asked the children to write words in Italian, French, German and Spanish together with their meaning in English or Maltese. After analysing thoroughly the responses, one can dare say that the results were very encouraging.