A third official language? No thank you! (2)

Joseph Agius (The Sunday Times, May 27) concluded his argument stating that a lowering of level in Italian might result in a redundancy of teachers of Italian (who, he said, might also feel unneeded).

Teachers of Italian might become redundant if students in schools opted for French or German as an easier substitute. But our main concern as educators is not to see that teachers of Italian, or of any other subject, do not become redundant but to put into practice what we think is educationally right.

If we really believe in a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, then all European languages should use the same yardstick to establish a level, be it 'O', 'A' or any one of those set in the European Framework of Reference. To attain this in Malta, the SEC level of Italian has to be lowered a little and that of other languages should be raised.

If, as a nation, we really feel that we have a better knowledge of Italian viz-à-viz other foreign languages, then we should show this difference, not by setting more difficult exam papers for Italian, but by obtaining a better grade and by pursuing higher studies in this language, e.g., at 'A' level or, possibly, further still.

As things stand now, there is a great difference in level between an Italian 'O' level paper and a French or German one. This is unfair, and the easy passes in French and German might give the wrong impression that the Maltese have a better knowledge of these languages.

A level should be standard for all subjects. If we do not agree on this, then we do not really believe there should be a set of levels at all and, if so, forget about a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.