Maltese as a second language : learning challenges and suggested teaching strategies

Abstract

Adult learners experience challenges when learning a second language (L2), and educators must think of potential teaching strategies to overcome these challenges. This study explores the learning challenges that adult participants experienced while learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), including some of the teaching strategies which they indicated were effective. This study applied a pragmatic epistemology and a longitudinal, qualitative research design to clarify the complex phenomenon of second language acquisition (SLA) and comprehensively address the research question. Thirty-five adult participants in an ML2 class sat for two timed grammaticality judgement tests (TGJTs) and verb conjugation (VC) tasks, picture interpretation tasks six times over a 15-month period and reflective journals. For post-hoc analysis, the participants participated in an interview and a stimulated recall session. Despite participants’ learning difficulties, which were collected through reflective journals and interviews, they indicated that the acquisition of the Maltese verbal tense and aspect did take place over time, although this was a particularly challenging area of ML2 acquisition. The participants recommended teaching strategies that could facilitate ML2 learning.