Students to be taught proficiency in languages

Learning a language as a 'living language' • Video: Ray Attard

Language syllabi in state schools will include a ‘proficiency’ branch as of next year, according to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo.

The new programme, which will first be used in Italian credits this upcoming year, aims to place more emphasis on the proficiency of languages in real-life situations. “Students will be taught new skills,” the minister said. “While SEC subjects have traditionally focused on the writing of a language, this will place a bigger emphasis on learning a language as a living language.”

Bartolo, who said that this may also be extended to the subjects of English and Maltese, was speaking at the San Gwann Primary School this morning, where he met with parents purchasing school uniforms for their children. A government initiative announced earlier this year reduced the prices of school uniforms at a fixed price.

Bartolo said that this was just one of a number of initiatives which were being introduced for the new scholastic year to “enhance the educational experience” of students.

During this morning’s visit, the minister took the opportunity to outline such initiatives.

Firstly, he said, the subject of Ethics will for the first time be offered to students, particularly for those that did not read for Religion. The Accounts subject will also be introduced in all secondary schools as of next year.

Co-education, as already announced by government, is set to also become a norm in state schools whilst vocational subjects such as Engineering, IT, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Agri-business will be officially recognised by SEC.

Furthermore, the Personal and Social Development credit will now include a ‘Career’ branch, thereby altering the subject name to PSCD.

Lastly, Bartolo said that the Alternative Learning Programme (ALP), which was introduced last January for those fifth-formers who did not apply for any O-Level examinations, will begin in September this coming scholastic year.