Coming up

¤ A traditional Christmas crafts exhibition is open at the boys' MUSEUM in Dun Gorg Preca Street, Xaghra, every day from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 2 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.

¤ Activities at Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria this week include a cake sale today from 8 a.m. Polar Express is showing at 5.30 p.m. A film show for children will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m. The Bishop's Conservatory Secondary School holds a Christmas concert at the oratory at 7.30 p.m.

On Wednesday the St Theresa Primary holds a concert at 6 p.m., while the post-secondary school holds another one on Thursday at 8.30 a.m. There will be a film show for children at 11.

On Christmas Eve the Christmas musical Kwiekeb ma Jintfewx will be staged at the oratory chapel at 11.30 p.m. Midnight Mass will be said, after which Christmas breakfast will be served at the Calypso Hotel, Marsalforn. Reservations are required.

¤ Victoria council is holding a concert by La Stella Band on Independence Square today at 10 a.m.

¤ The Jesuit community of Manresa House, Gozo, is holding a variety show at the Catholic Action headquarters in Victoria today at 6.15 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Arka Respite Centre and Fr Joseph Mizzi's mission in Egypt. Bookings from Manresa House (tel. 2155-6635) or contact David Mario Fenech on 7926-8652.

¤ The Cathedral parish church is organising a cultural outing for the elderly on Tuesday, including Mass at Xaghra Basilica and a Christmas lunch at San Andrea Hotel, Xlendi. Tickets at Lm3 are obtainable from Coney Island Bar (tel. 2155-1289) or George Debono (2155-1460). Transport leaves Savina Square at 8.45 a.m.

¤ The Bishop's Conservatory is holding a coffee morning on Tuesday at 9 a.m. For more information phone 2155-6506.

¤ Xaghra council is holding a get-together for foreign residents at the youth centre on Tuesday, at 7 p.m. For more information call the council on tel. 2156-3737.

¤ Chorus Urbanus Productions, in collaboration with Victoria council and the Cathedral Chapter Gozo, holds its eighth Christmas concert, in aid of the Arka Respite Centre, at the Gozo Cathedral on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m.

The concert features soprano Yvonne Galea, mezzo soprano Pamela Bezzina, tenors Joseph Aquilina and Mario Portelli, bass Noel Galea, the Chorus Urbanus and its junior section and the National Orchestra, led by Marcelline Agius and conducted by John Galea.

¤ St Mary Band Club, conducted by Mro Joseph Grech, is holding a Christmas concert at Zebbug parish church on Friday at 6.15 p.m. The Chorus Regina Angelorum, directed by Jacqueline Vella and Maria Cefai, will also participate.

¤ Bishop Nikol Cauchi leads Pontifical concelebrated Christmas midnight Mass at the Cathedral in Victoria on Saturday. The Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis and orchestra will participate.

¤ Bell International, in collaboration with the University of Malta's Gozo Centre, is organising a part-time TEFL induction course, starting on January 6.

This course is recognised by the EFL Schools' Monitoring Board. The course is designed to introduce participants to English language training and equip them to start teaching English as a foreign language. It focuses on the language systems and skills; assessment is carried out through teaching practice, written assignments and course participation. There is a required minimum attendance of 80 per cent of the course.

Lectures will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4.30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Applications may be submitted till December 28. For more information contact the University Gozo Centre, Mgarr Road, Xewkija, VCT 111, on tel. 2156-4559 or 2156-2054, fax: 2156-4550 or e-mail ugc@um.edu.mt.