Introduction to literacy in Maltese

Abstract

This dissertation describes the prevalent methods teachers of Year One in primary schools utilise in teaching children how to read in Maltese. A background to this is provided by a literature review of the methods normally used in teaching English to children in the English speaking world since no published reading material exists as regards the teaching of Maltese to school beginners. Four Year 1 classes are observed over a period of one year. Tape recordings of literacy lessons are transcribed and analysed. The results include the following findings: 1. Different methods are being employed by Year 1 teachers when teaching children how to read in Maltese. These· methods are the phonic, the look and say and the sentence method. 2. Stories are used by teachers to introduce some language point including the alphabet letters. 3. Language games encourage children to learn with enjoyment. Some suggestions are put forward for the improvement of introducing literacy in Maltese.