Minister explains why University exams have to be in English

Christian Micallef

Oct 7th 2011, 20:14

Tal-Misthija........

Pavlaki Pano Aroditis

Mar 19th 2010, 14:41

To all the linguistic nationalists: the only major export and capital the Maltese have is a reasonable facility in, and knowledge of, English. That links you up with the rest of the world. Stick to Maltese at University, and you will soon be an insignificant little island about as world-important as Djerba, with which you share most of the Maltese language. And for the information of those foaming at the mouth at the preposterousness and unfairness of requiring students to have a decent knowledge and use of English: yes, English is being adopted even in French elite universities, . What do you think Universities in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and all the Asian Tigers insist on?: English language university exams. That is what makes their countries competitive, advanced, enjoying a high standard of living, and dynamic. Nothing against Maltese; it is a wonderful language like any other. But the linguistic nationalists should crawl back into their little holes and stay there, and let the rest of the country get on with it. Well-done to the Minister and the University. It is just ratifying previous and sensible practice.

J Martinelli

Mar 17th 2010, 22:55

@ Brian Chircop

Ma nahsibx li Dun Karm kien qed jahseb bhal ma tinterpretah int.

Jiena wisq nahseb li Dun Karm kien qed jirreferi ghal xi minoranza ii malli kienu jitghallmu xi lingwa barranija, donnhom kienu jitilfu l-accent jew aghar, jaqilbu ghal-lingwa l-'gdida'.
L-Ingliz huwa it-tieni lingwa ufficjali ta Malta w ghaldaqstant ghandu tintuza fejn huwa aktar ta siwi, bhall-Universita fejn kotba ta ricerka f'oqsma differenti huma miktubin bl-Ingliz.
Kieku Dun Karm kien qed jirreferi specifikament ghal-lingwa Ingliza, ma nahsibx li kien ser jibza li jsemmiha direttament!

sam calleja

Mar 17th 2010, 22:27

Dear Minister,
Anyone wanting to develop his/her English skills should follow a course in that area and NOT through another course.
As the Minister of Education you are responsible to see that our students develop their English skills BEFORE they enter University - you have to strengthen the Educational system re this matter from kindergarten level!!!! By the time they reach 16 all students need to have developed their English skills amongst others. Some students are finishing their secondary schooling still illiterate - then that should be an issue!
It is ridiculous to expect University students to improve their English skills by means of other courses. Someone studying Law should be judged for his knowledge on the matter and not on the language skills!!! And with regards to the Maltese Studies students - don't you see a super contradiction in your arguments????? On one hand you are promoting Maltese culture and identity through such a course and on the other hand you deny the use of the Maltese language!!! ONLY IN MALTA.

M.Portelli

Mar 17th 2010, 21:55

Just a couple of points

1) Oral exams and final year exams must have external examiners in order to guarantee impariality on administering the final grade - a universally accepted system throughout most universities of good repute

2) The external examiner has the right to review all coursework submitted by the student - especially in cases where the student is on the cusp of a passa nd a fail.

3) Since Malta only has one university and an external examiners, as the name implies, has to come from outside the university the only option is to bring in examiners from other countries. Larger countries do not have this problem as for e.g the University of Strassbourg can invite an external lecturer from Paris or the univeristy of Groningen an external from Amsterdam.

4) I can only talk about science/medicine as this is my particular field - Scientific literature with the highest impact value, i.e where the best research is published, are all English publications - they contain publications from French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Russian (i could go on) universities - all written in English. In science inability to speak English = sidelining

Professor Alex Felice

Mar 17th 2010, 21:47

The language of higher education and the closely connected areas of research, development and business innovation must remain English. With very few and very specific exceptions the language of the University of Malta in teaching, including examinations of any kind, and research must remain ENGLISH.

Anything different amounts to being stupid if you allow me that adjective.

There is a whole bunch of absolute nonsense below that is not possible to answer point by point.

I hope that reason overcomes emotion and there is only one way to go in higher education i.e ENGLISH.

In the schools, the argument is different i.e the teaching in schools, must be in the mother language i.e. MALTESE while the kids are learning good ENGLISH that will come them in good stead later on, such as higher education and research.

There is strong neuro-physiological evidence in favor of this approach to being BI-LINGUAL i.e. MALTESE + / ENGLISH where appropriate.

Alex. Felice

O Gauci

Mar 17th 2010, 21:46

FEJNHOM IN-NIES LI JĦOBBU L-MALTI????? AKKADEMJI, GĦAQDIET .... għax ma tirriżenjawx kollha kemm intom. Min hu sieket kompliċi daqs l-akbar wieħed minnhom. Armu l-Malti, hekk qed jgħidulna, u aħna nbaxxu rasna għal kull ma jgħidulna!

m.farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 21:43

Dawk kollha li ghal xi raguni jew oħra qed jippruvaw isibu skuza sabiex jegevolaw il-lingwa Ingliza ma huma jaghmlu xejn aktar milli jkassbru il-lingwa ta pajjizna. Dawn ma jistħoqilhomx jissejhu Maltin.

pauline pace

Mar 17th 2010, 21:43

Din ir-risposta nistenniha minn tifel ta' għaxar snin mhux mill-Ministru tal-Edukazzjoni!!! Qbadna t-triq għall-baħar u ngħid (u għadna Marzu!!!!!!!) - istħu

galea, j

Mar 17th 2010, 21:40

No one should be denied from using ANY language - look up "linguistic rights" on the internet and see for yourselves! We are GONNA fight this till the very end!

Lucy Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 21:38

Hon. Ministru li kieku Nerik Mizzi ghadu haj zgur li ma kienx jaccettak fil-partit tieghu. Huwa flimkien ma nies bhal Sir Arturo Mercieca, u oħrajn dejjem kien kontra il-lingwa ingliza fl-universita fost postijiet oħra. Mhux qieghed nghid li kien favur il-Malti imma l-lingwa Ingliza qatt ma rieda li tiddomina f'Malta tant li huwa kien ipprivilegjat li anki fil-parlament ma jitkellimx bl-ingliz. Min jaf kemm tqalleb fil-qabar minhabba din il-praspura tal-P.N. il- Padre della Patrria. Nahseb li l-istess ghamlu nies bhal Guze Aquilina, GUze Galea, Anton Buttigieg, Guze Orlando, Ninu Cremona li dejjem iggieldu ghal linqwa Maltija. Nappella lil min very ihobb il-lingwa maltija jaghmel bhal dan il-patrijoti

zerafa, m

Mar 17th 2010, 21:38

M.A. Studji Maltin u ma jistgħux jiktbu bil-Malti!!!!! Issa mhux qed nitkellmu fuq ix-xjenzi u mitt elf skuża oħra - Studji Maltin - kultura, identità u ipokrizija! Din hi l-imħabba lejn dak kollu li hu Malti Sinjura Ministru, Sur Prim Ministru, Sur Rettur???
Ara ssejħux elezzjoni għada!

Jesmond Micallef

Mar 17th 2010, 21:18

Martin Farrugia, indeed English is the worlds most popular language. Higher education should indeed, by its very own nature,be not so popular, you are quite right.

But please keep the word "Fanaticism" out of this.

Brian Chircop

Mar 17th 2010, 21:08

....il-Malti hu wahda mil-lingwi ufficjali ta' l-UE.

...It-tradutturi jezistu / qeghdin hemm biex f'kaz li persuna ma tifhimx bil-Malti jkunu jistghu jeqilbu ghal lingwa ohra skont il-bzonn.

... jekk persuna Maltija, tifhem bl-Ingliz izda thossha aktar komda tesprimi ruhha bil-Malti, ghalfejn se tiddiskriminha? Fejn hi l-liberta ta' l-espressjoni?

... minhabba l-insularita taghna persuna ghandha bzonn tkun tajba fiz-ZEWG lingwi ufficjali taghna, u tithalla LIBERA tuza liem lingwa trid.

... nispera li l-pass li jmiss mhux se jkun li jitnehha l-bzonn li student igib l-ezami tas-SEC tal-Malti biex jidhol l-Universita....

MBorg

Mar 17th 2010, 21:01

@ Martin Farrugia.
Well said., spot on.
The present situation must change. Today we are having students who attend university, graduate and still cannot write good English. As for speaking in English ? This is even worse the accent of some of them is atrocious. We say that we are bilingual , it will do university students a world of good if they somtimes use English in their everyday life.

Brian Chircop

Mar 17th 2010, 20:43

Ghaliex immela tichad, Malti hija
lil dan l-ilsien li bih int Malti sewwa?
Hobb, jekk jiswielek, l-ilsna barranija,
izda le tbarri lil min hu ta' gewwa.

Dun Karm - Ghaliex? - Jedd l-ilsien Malti.


INKITBET AKTAR MINN 70 SENA ILU U GHADNA MA TGHALLIMNIEX!!!!!!!!

Martin Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 20:24

Of course University examinations have to be in English! University should be shaping the academics of the future. How on earth can these thinkers be taken seriously by their international peers if their knowledge has never been tested in an international language like English?

Also, University should be shaping the leaders of tomorrow. I wonder how persuasive and assertive these leaders can be if they cannot string together a coherent sentence in English and can only make themselves heard in a language that is totally incomprehensible to 5.999 billion of the world's 6 billion people.

I am all for due appreciation of one's heritage. What I am against is pig-headed fanaticism - so manifestly promoted in some of the comments below - that serves no purpose other than to cloud the mind, jeopardize the development of our country and imperil the future of our children.

mary camilleri

Mar 17th 2010, 19:45

I am speechless

Adrian Borg Cardona

Mar 17th 2010, 19:19

I my time at University, it was often that certain entry requirements were done away with to accomodate certain 'important' people. Is this the case here, I wonder?

T Camilleri

Mar 17th 2010, 19:03

This is all a double-ended scheme. The snobs at University doing their utmost to do away with the Maltese language. Everyone must remember the fight between the English and Italian languages in the first part of the last century. The second scheme has to do with the timing. The issue has been raised now to deflect the peoples attention from the vast problems being created by the incompetent government with which Malta has been saddled. A two pronged double ended scheme hatched by the University and the Government for the purposes above-mentioned.

Alan Joseph Adami

Mar 17th 2010, 18:21

Dawn affarijiet tal- mistħija. Fl-Università ta' Malta u l-eżamijiet bl- Ingliż. Ma jridux forsi l- eżami tal- Malti nagħmluh bl- Ingliż ukoll hux ħalli min hu barrani jħossu komdu. Skużi l- edukazzjoni primarja fl- Università ta' Malta, li taqa' taħt l -Istess kostituzzjoni ta' Malta, li żżomm bħala l- Malti bħala l-ewwel lingwa, għandha toffri l-ewwel privileġġ edukattiv lil MALTI imbagħad lil barrani. Ara tmurx Franza jew il- Ġermanja, Spanja jew l-Italja eċt. u jagħmlulek lecture bl-Ingliż ħabba l- Barranini tixtieq! Qum VASSALLI! Jien din niqba' niġġilida sa' l-aħħar għax ma jistax ikun l- Malti jiġi mmaqdar f'dan il- livell dan huwa insult għall- Malti, l-akkademja tal-Malti raqdet?!!

Leonard Gauci

Mar 17th 2010, 18:14

Thank God for a sensible decision by the Education Minister.

Louiselle Spiteri

Mar 17th 2010, 18:11

Min qed jgħid li l-Malti għandu limitazzjonijiet kbar huwa zbaljat. Fix-xogħoli bħala traduttrici qatt ma nzertajt frażi jew kelma fil-lingwi li rrid nittraduċi li ma jirnexxilix insib soluzzjoni għaliha bil-Malti. Min qed jgħid li l-Ingliż huwa l-lingwa preferuta għall-edukazzjoni terzjarja f'ħafna mill-pajjiżi barranin huwa żbaljat bl-ikrah. Mur għid lill-Franċiżi, lill-Belġjani, jew lit-Taljani jew lil kull pajjiċ ieħor fid-dinja li għandu l-lingwa tiegħu biex jgħallem lill-istudenti universitarji tiegħu bl-Ingliż!! Jinħolqu problemi kbar żgur mhux forsi.

Għandu miljun elf raġun dak li qed jinsisti li ħadd m'għandu d-dritt li jġiegħel lil ħadd ieħor jesprimi ruħu b'lingwa oħra għajr il-Malti. Aħna għandna żewġ lingwi uffiċjali, l-Ingliż u l-Malti u safejn naf jien it-tnejn li huma qegħdin fuq l-istess livell. Jiġieri l-għażla għandha tkun biss f'idejn l-istudent jekk jogħoġbu jikteb bil-Malti u f'idejn ħadd aktar!

Li hemm bżonn huwa li jinkitbu aktar kotba bil-Malti fuq livell akkademiku terzjaru. Il-Malti f'dan il-lat huwa fqir immens u mhux fil-vokabularju jew fl-espressjoni kif qegħdin jippruvaw jimplikaw ħafna nies f'dawn il-kummenti. Pereżempju dawk li jistudjaw biex jiksbu dottorat jew inkella l-professuri diġà mlaħħqa (fis-setturi tal-ekonomija, tal-ligi, tal-mediċina eċċ) għaliex m'għandhomx jingħataw ir-riżorsi meħtieġa biex jiktbu l-kotba li tant għandna bżonn u biex pereżempju jippreżentaw dokumenti b'ricerka ġdida.

G Frendo

Mar 17th 2010, 17:11

The comparisons with other European countries and their 'languages of tuition' are flawed. We do not have the population size to justify the publication of degree textbooks in Maltese. As an officially bi-lingual nation we are lucky to have English as an official language that most can speak proficiently. It makes sense to use English textbooks when the alternative is NO TEXTBOOKS at all - for the majority of courses.

We are indeed blessed to have this bi-lingual skill as a nation - it has been one of the reasons for our economic success - and that has nothing to do with our love for the Maltese language!

We are lucky that we can communicate with a large percentage of the world and are proficient in the language of technology. Wake up!!

Jesmond Micallef

Mar 17th 2010, 16:50

John O Scerri, may I quote you : "In order to speak and write good English one does not need to go to extremes using bombastic words and expression which few can understand but making it correct and simple for all to understand will be enough."

Very good point !!! It has been proven through the study of the psychology of communication, that when people use extravagant vocabulary in their writings or speeches, it does take its toll on the level of understanding, even attention. Even when it comes to presentations or the selective use of company names, it has an interesting effect upon human perception. The simpler the vocabulary is, the better the chances are for success.

Generic observation:

These comments with respect to the use of the Maltese language simply show the emotional connection a mother language has with its own native speakers. Its speaks for itself.

Alfred Attard

Mar 17th 2010, 16:38

Please, Dr. Gonzi, I beg you to impeach this GROSSLY INCOMPETENT minister.

attard g

Mar 17th 2010, 16:20

Għadkom titrattaw lill-poplu ta' mbeċilli u injorant kif kienu jagħmlu l-barranin! Imisskom tistħu - intom suppost qegħdin hemm biex tippriservaw dak li missirijietna tant ħadmu għalih mhux bil-maqlub. Għax ma tibdewx titkellmu bl-Ingliż fil-parlament sinjura Cristina? Hekk messkom tagħmlu, itfgħu kollox dirett fuq it-Tv u taf kemm intejbuhom l-"English skills". Istħu b'dawn l-argumenti. Qed tinsultaw lil min iħobb il-Malti u lil min jikteb bil-Malti li ma jafx Ingliż. Ma tistħux toħorġu b'dawn l-argumenti?

claire zammit

Mar 17th 2010, 16:11

@ Martin Farrugia
Bil-Malti "and" = u MHUX hu (mingħajr h)
Qabel tikkoreġi 'l ħaddieħor darb'oħra ara x'taf int

J.Bonnici

Mar 17th 2010, 16:04

Utter nonsense minister.

J S Borg

Mar 17th 2010, 15:58

So when my nanna has to be admitted to hospital the Hon minister goes with her to act as an interpreter for her, because then some maltese doctors could only speak some sort of english. And mind you these doctors had studied at the expense of the maltese population.

ASpiteri

Mar 17th 2010, 15:52

It is clearly evident that the language issue still stirs up passionate arguments!

The language question dominated the political arena for nearly half a century as it was debated around the end of the 19th century till the outcome WW2. The Axis bombs not only demolished most of our building but also raised to the ground this important aspect of any nation.

This blog is a perfect demonstration of how irrational the tone in this debate has become and our political and cultural elite since independence are to blame for this situation. their silence on this matter contributed for a complete havoc in the identity of our nation!

Michael Debono

Mar 17th 2010, 15:46

Reading for an L.L.D in English is an example of the importance of Maltese. In Maltese courts it is Maltese that is used and not English unless an English speaking person is on trial. But in that case an interpreter is used. If the other person is Maltese then the Maltese language is used not English.
Is it not funny to study law in English and then use Maltese, with Italian expressions in the deliberations.

M Cassar

Mar 17th 2010, 15:43

What a load of crap from certain bloggers...why does keeping the maltese language accessible hinder us from learning english. Maltese is OUR mother language and should always be available irriespective if it's spoken outside Malta or not. Certain people should emigrate to the Uk perhaps if they feel we should drop the maltese language and start speaking english becuase we will never betray our own language. Morru l ingilterra jekk tridu titkellmu bl-inglizati u pepeati ghax dejjaqtuna issa tisthu mil lingwa patrijotta taghkhom. Kissirtuhilna lingwa.

Maryrose Frendo

Mar 17th 2010, 15:31

Regarding most of the comments left on this article - you all need to wake up to the fact that English is THE global language; that setting exam papers in Maltese or accepting Maltese answers to exam questions would only work against those who wish to live in this century rather than the last one; that we cannot afford to copy Italy or Germany because they are gradually copying us; that whilst Maltese should still be given its due importance as our native language - it will get us nowhere.

pierre borg

Mar 17th 2010, 15:13

"foreign examiners" - kemm se ndumu bil l-barranin? Kunu kburin b'dak li hu tagħna l-ewwel, il-Malti huwa lsien bużnannietna, dak l-ilsien li tkellmu bih dawk l-istess nies li ġġieldu biex illum għandna li għanda - f'ġieh is-sewwa, tarmux il-malti bl-iskuża li rridu nitjiebu fl-Ingliż. Din tattika ħażina. Irridu nkunu tajbin fit-Tnejn u mhux f'wieħed biss għad-detriment tal-ieħor. Din is-deċiżjoni hija insult għal kull min iħobb dan l-ilsien u għal min jixtieq ikompli jispeċjalizza fuqu. Qed twasslu l-messaġġ li l-Malti hu lsien "magħluq" - x'nambuh bħala lsien uffiċjali tal-Ewropa jekk f'pajjiżna stess għandna din il-mentalità?

Jesmond Micallef

Mar 17th 2010, 15:10

Furthermore, what level of english language vocabulary is expected to be seen in these "international" exams from the International University of Malta ?. It think this would also be interesting to know so that students know what it is expected from them. Considering that English is the international medium, are there clearly defined rules about its use in such a "competitive" environment. Are there people who might have an advantage over others here ?

pierre borg

Mar 17th 2010, 15:08

Lill-Ministru Cristina u lis-Senat tal-Università:
Żewġ versi minn Dun Karm li ta' min jirrifletti fuqhom -
"Ħobb jekk jiswewlek l-ilsna barranija,
Iżda le tbarri lil min hu ta' ġewwa." JEKK JOGĦĠOBKOM!

camilleri paul

Mar 17th 2010, 15:05

Dear Minister,
What would be unfair is the prohibition to use the Maltese language in a country which holds the same language as its official one (together with English). Moreover it is also the country's only national language.
It would be unfair to judge and come out with these statements. You are implying that those who write in Maltese (very few) do so because they are not competent in English. This is a ridiculous argument.
As the Minister of Education you should be looking for other strategies to improve the students' English skills - but please don't insult us any longer by humiliating the Maltese language.
We have heard so many positive comments these last days re Maltese culture and Maltese language - and then ironically you come out with these statements and explanations!

maria pace

Mar 17th 2010, 14:44

Does the minister mean that Italian universities teach in English or that Italian students answer exam questions in English?
Does this also apply for German Universities and French Universities among others?
We are creating such a confusion where our Maltese language is concerned that nowadays the pupils in the Primary schools are being instructed to say "jum bix-xemx" instead of"jum xemxi" and "jum bis-shab" instead of "jum imsahhab" even though the pupils can speak our native language very well. So, do we really want to preserve our language or are we doing our best to hasten the day when we neither speak it nor write it?

galea, J

Mar 17th 2010, 14:34

Il-Malti rega' ghal gol-kcina - m'hemmx aktar xi tghid. Grazzi ta' dan it-tradiment. Viva l-Ewropa u l-ipokrizija. Imissna nisthu noqoghdu ghal dawn l-affarijiet. Ara tmorrux taghmlu xi bukkett fjuri fuq il-monument ta' Mikiel Anton Vassalli jew ta' Dun Karm mal-ewwel opportunita. X'misthija.

Emanuel Busuttil Dougall

Mar 17th 2010, 14:33

Għaliex tarmih li-Lsien il tatek ommok,
u titlef għaqlek wara Lsien barrani?
Maltija kienet l-ewwel kelma f'fommok
b bil-Malti tkellimt tifel daħkani.

U kiber miegħek dal il-Lsien ewlieni,
u ġmielu ntiseġ mal-ġrajjiet ta' ħajtek:
bih fissirt qalbek meta sfajtli hieni,
bih fissirt għommtok meta mbikki rajtek. Għomm=sħana

Għaliex immela tiċħad, Malti ħija,
lil dan il-Lsien li bih int Malti sewwa?
Ħobb, jekk jiswewlek, l-Ilsna barranija,
iżda le tbarri lil min hu ta' ġewwa.


Hekk ghamilt int Sinjura Ministru, gharmejt l-ilsien li tatek ommok, u tlieft għaqlek wara Lsien barrani.

Mark Mcgwire

Mar 17th 2010, 14:26

“Malta needed to have students who were competent in the use of English in all areas of their studies so that they could compete with students abroad.”

So let me interpret this.

So Dolores is saying that Malta does not need students competent in Maltese. Right?

So the Education Minister of the REPUBLIC OF MALTA is saying that English should be given priority over Maltese. Right?

In my opinion, if Dolores was in France or any other country that has a minimum of national pride she would be fired on the spot.

Michael Debono

Mar 17th 2010, 14:14

Hon. Minister of education, reading your contribution linked to the Maltese language one feels that you are saying that foreign Universities use English language in preference to their own mother tongue for their examinations You wrote: “It was ultimately beneficial for the students to develop their “English language skills, something which many other far bigger countries also desired.
“Among them was the fact that English was the preferred medium for higher education across the world. “This meant that most literature available for researchers, in practically all disciplines, was in English.”
Go and write this in another language and you will read the reaction.
There is no worst misrepresentation than that. Are you sure of what you are writing? Do French University Students prefer to use English in their research and examinations?
Do you think that Italians do their examinations in the English Language, the same for Germans, Russians, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese and all other universities except U.K. and USA.
The English language is used solely to learn English as we do in Malta. Other subjects are taught and learned in their country’s tongue. Your remarks debase all foreign languages except English
So as a Minister don’t try to mislead.

L. Vella

Mar 17th 2010, 14:14

Minn mindu 'l hawn għandi bżonn l-approvazzjoni tas-Senat biex nikteb fi lsieni? L-istudenti Franċiżi, Taljani, Ingliżi jintalbu jieħdu permess biex jesprimu ruħhom fi lsienhom l-Università? Il-vera proset, nies li qed tmexxu 'l pajjiżi. L-ewwel għamiltu lill-Malti lsien uffiċjali tal-UE; issa, f'artna stess, m'intomx tħallu student jużah fil-kitba.

Ministru, nistmerrek. Iddiżappuntajtni bil-kbir.

j n ebejer

Mar 17th 2010, 13:53

Could this explenation be challenged as being discriminatory against Maltese speaking citezens? Can we have some good argument in favour/or against for what it matters, of the Maltese language -even if it is for the argument's sake? Say for example one who can read Latin manuscripts or medieval Italian -so he can actually study manuscrpts left lying in Palermo waiting to be studied, or be an expert on the Order's time but knows only to express himself in Maltese and is not allowed such an opportunity to get a degree? Or a real talented artist who wishes to follow a carreer but does not master the English Language? Come on representatives of the Legal profession let's have a good debate on.

John O Scerri

Mar 17th 2010, 13:44

The Minister is right.

Yes, our native tongue i.e Maltese forms part of the EU Group languages.
but
The Maltese vocabulary is not vast enough to cater for many subjects studied at university

It is urgently needed for students to improve their command of spoken English .

Soon enough it will be needed for Malta to engage translators but unfortunately although having studied the language and passed God knows how many exams many students lack a professional command of the spoken English .

The picture is clear - English is universal , Maltese is not .

Yet we lack good spoken English during public speaking.

The route cause - Students at secondary level are studying English grammar but they are not practising it with compositions , essays, reading and comprehension.

In order to speak and write good English one does not need to go to extremes using bombastic words and expression which few can understand but making it correct and simple for all to understand will be enough.

Ann Cassar

Mar 17th 2010, 13:42

Excuse me but no other European Country requires all research and examinations to be conducted in English! They do not care if people from other countries cannot understand their language and cannot make use of their research! I am not saying this is right but why should WE have to go to resort to such measures when no one else bothers! If I want to use Maltese as the language of my dissertation, I should be able to! Now when other countries start to make an effort to enforce English throughout all their universities we should then follow suit, not go out of our way and make the use of Maltese in exams 'outlawed' just because it suits foreigners!

Robert Agius

Mar 17th 2010, 13:41

Being one of our official languages, one would hope that students would be competent in English BEFORE having to go to university. This is a very, very lame excuse. The student should be responsible (after all they are adults) for developing their English language skills and the Maltese language should not be sacrificed because of a lack of such responsibility.

Mario Psaila

Mar 17th 2010, 13:36

At last - some common sense in our education system!

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Mar 17th 2010, 13:33

@ Sandro Agius

Ma naqbilx li billi ma naccettawx il-Malti ghal kull suggett fl-Universita morna lura. L-anqas mal-mod kif tkasbar il-kcina fl-espressjonijiet lingwistici tieghek. Wara kollox il-kcina u l-ikel huma l-bazi tas-sahha fizika u mentali (you are what you eat and what you avoid eating).

"foreign examiners, who did not know Maltese, had a right to see all study units, and they, therefore, all had to be in English." - Mhux biss naqbel ma din il-frazi izda nemmen li s-senate tal-Universita ghandu dmir sakrosant li jghin biex il-livel ta' tghalim, assignments, risposti f'ezamijiet, dissertations, thesis, marki finali etc. jigu wkoll "assessed" u "moderated" minn barranin ta' kapacita u integrita bizzejjed li lesti jghatu pariri siewja kif ukoll jigbdu l-attenzjoni ghal xi nuqqasijiet tal-istudenti u/jew lecturers. Ghalhekk hu importantissimu li "assignments" etc. jinkitbu bl-ingliz biex l-universita ikolla acces anki ghall-pariri ta' l-aqwa esperti - anki dawk li assolutament ma jafux il-Malti. Min hu veru patrijot lest li jitghallem minghand kulhadd specjalment ghall-gid ta' pajjizu u mhux jintilex fi snobizmu biex ideffes il-lingwa tieghu f'kollox akkost ta' kollox.

A. Zahra

Mar 17th 2010, 13:22

@ Sandro Agius.
Be practical. How can a graduate whose knowledge of English is not excellent can ever hope to obtain a higher degree from a foreign university. We had all better realise that no matter how much we love our mother tonge, we must utilise English for us to make headway outside and here in Malta. Unfortunately Malta is not a world power.

R Agius

Mar 17th 2010, 13:21

Will the Minister please, therefore, explain why we are excluding so many Maltese citizens that hail from English speaking families from being admitted to University.

These students are being discriminated against when compared to English students who do not require Maltese O Level to enter University. Welsh and Scottish students have to pass Welsh/Gaelic O Levels to enter British universities.

All else being equal, a student who has a poor command of English but is highly proficient in Maltese will struggle to get through most University degrees and may also struggle later in their working life. On the other hand a proficient English speaker will have a much easier time getting through most degrees and will likely do better in life - depending on the chosen profession.


Make no mistake, Maltese is very much the spoken language of the people and we should all be proud of our own language - fact is that the majority of written communication is in English and commerce is conducted in English.

Ultimately, excluding these children from English speaking families from entering university achieves nothing - it does not help them nor does it help our economy.

Martin Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 12:59

Well done. If the globalized world of tomorrow requries our children to be competent in English in order to succeed, then so be it. Only the foolish would let petty nationalism stand in the way of the acquisition of knowledge and the resulting moral and economic benefits that will make our country stronger and our people better off.

@ Sandro Agius, Jekk tixtieq tiggieled krucjata - ala Don-Quixote - kontra l- irdieden tal-"influwenza barranijja", krucjata antikwata li m`ghandha l-ebda post fid-dinja ta`ghada, affari tieghek. Pero` naghtik il-parir illi jekk trid taghmel gieh lill-Malti, ibda billi tejjeb il-Malti tieghek. "Vassalli" huwa nom proprju hu bhal kull nom proprju iehor, ma taghmillux l-artiklu qabel.

N. Borg

Mar 17th 2010, 12:42

@ Sandro Vassallo

Ghaliex qed tara sal-ponta ta mniehrek?

Yes in reality Maltese is an official EU language but if we want to go abroad, whether to study or work then we should have a good command of the English language, which unfortunately quite a few people don't (although they would like to think so).

Anyway, we have been studying course work in English for decades, why should we change this practice now, and to a language that is not widely spread. Don't you think we would be shooting ourselves in the foot?

Tony Gatt

Mar 17th 2010, 12:34

Dolores Cristina has failed to convince. Her arguments are superfluous at best. Is she suggesting that her strategy of approving the dismal level of English at the University of Malta is to make examinations in English and not Maltese? Ridiculous.

Mrs. Cristina:

1) Your strategy fails to improve the weak standard of English at the University of Malta.

2) It damages the status of the Maltese language.

3) It disadvantages Maltese-speaking candidates who are now being told they CANNOT think in Maltese... even in Malta!!

A basic premise of a university education, Mrs. Cristina, is to develop the ideas of the candidate. If usage of that candidates' mother tongue will help him or her increase the complexity of his or her arguments then he or she SHOULD be allowed to use that mother tongue, given that the language has national recognition.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 12:20

There are other ways how to ensure that the standard of English is assured, at Uni. One should start with the lecturers themselves.
The only good reason for jusifying the use of only English is that of foreign examiners.
However, the other reasons given by the Hon. Minister shows a lack of respect for the Maltese language, and, as reported above, by none other than the highest academic institution of the land. Shame.
I do not know how legal this policy is, given the fact that Maltese is not only the national language but also one of the two official languages of the country.

GiovDeMartino@Hon Minister

Mar 17th 2010, 12:16

Naqbel mal-Ministru l l-Malti ghandu limitazzjonijiet kbar, IMMA bejnietna l-Maltin ghaliex ic-cirkularijiet KOLLHA fl-iskejjel johorgu bl Ingliz? Ghaliex id-dip tal-Gvern kwazi kollha, l-ghases tal-pulizija, l-universita, il-MEPA, l-ETC ecc ecc, LILNA MALTIN jindirizzawna bl-Ingliz?

D. MANGION

Mar 17th 2010, 12:12

Il-ministru Cristina, milli jidher m'ghandiex television, jew ma tarax programmi tar-RAI.

Fuq ir-Rai, spiss naraw, tobba, psikologi, socjologi, politikanti u professjonisti ohrajn, li jharbtu bl-ingliz, kwazi b'mod komiku.

Ma tridx wisq gherf biex tinduna li dawn iggradwaw fis-suggett taghhom minghajr il-htiega li jkunu fluwenti fl-ingliz.

L-ahhar intervista ma wiehed mill assistenti ta Renzo Piano fuq TVM ukoll uriet li dan ibati biex jesprimi ruhu bl-ingliz.

Imma l-ministru Cristina, flok taghzel li tghidilna l-verita wara din id-decizjoni assurda, qed taghzel li tittrattana ta 'mbecilli, u tipprova tikkonvincina li l-professjonisti kollha ta madwar il-globu, qed ifittxu li jkunu kapaci jesprimu l-gherf taghhom bl-ingliz.

Mur ghidha lil Francizi din !!!

X'inhi l-vera raguni onorevoli Cristina ????

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Mar 17th 2010, 12:08

Ma naqbilx li billi ma naccettawx il-Malti ghal kull suggett fl-Universita morna lura Sur Agius. L-anqas mal-mod kif tkasbar il-kcina fl-espressjonijiet lingwistici tieghek. Wara kollox il-kcina u l-ikel huma l-bazi tas-sahha fizika u mentali (you are what you eat and what you avoid eating).

"foreign examiners, who did not know Maltese, had a right to see all study units, and they, therefore, all had to be in English." - Mhux biss naqbel ma din il-frazi izda nemmen li s-senate tal-Universita ghandu dmir sakrosant li jghin biex il-livel ta' tghalim, assignments, risposti f'ezamijiet, dissertations, thesis, marki finali etc. jigu wkoll "assessed" u "moderated" minn barranin ta' kapacita u integrita bizzejjed li lesti jghatu pariri siewja kif ukoll jigbdu l-attenzjoni ghal xi nuqqasijiet tal-istudenti u/jew lecturers. Ghalhekk hu importantissimu li "assignments" etc. jinkitbu bl-ingliz biex l-universita ikolla acces anki ghall-pariri ta' l-aqwa esperti - anki dawk li assolutament ma jafux il-Malti. Min hu veru patrijot lest li jitghallem minghand kulhadd specjalment ghall-gid ta' pajjizu u mhux jintilex fi snobizmu biex ideffes il-lingwa tieghu f'kollox akkost ta' kollox.

M Cassar

Mar 17th 2010, 12:03

Senate..what senate? The senate of Rome and Caesar perhaps.
Furthermore, foreign examiners, who did not know Maltese, had a right to see all study units.
X mentalita! so we can't speak/write in Maltese to accomodate those who can't speak it. Having both languages is one thing, denying Maltese the use of the Maltese language is another. English is indeed the international language but it does not mean we are to forget the maltese, english is our second language and not the first and only.

j sammut

Mar 17th 2010, 11:58

I can't understand why some people can't accept the fact that exams must be in english. It would have been ridiculous if it were otherwise, for all the reasons mentioned in this article!

Ma naqbilx mieghek Sandro Agius, "ma kasbarnihx il-Vassalli" b'daqshekk. Il-lingwa Maltija tista tuzaha fl-Universita ta'Malta, ma tistax tuzaha fl-ezamijiet biss. Ma nafx intix student ta l-universita inti personali, pero immagina kors bil-kliem tekniku kollu bil-Malti, iktar studju u konfuzjoni ghalik, u iktar diffikultaijiet u ostakli jekk tigi biex eventwalment tkompli l-istudju tieghek barra minn Malta. Dan huwa propju vantagg ghall istudenti, u mhux xi haga tal-misthija kif qeghdin inpeguwha uhud.

Jesmond Micallef

Mar 17th 2010, 11:46

Malta has to have students competent in the English language. Why is it not so, currently ? Malta has various english newspapers, including this one, english cinemas, english TV programmes and yet I read here that more needs to be done. English is the language of aviation, maritime, commercial (the money generating mechanism - livelyhood) sectors and upper education, so considering all these facts and that Malta is an ISLAND. !!! How interesting this is.

If I was really a native english speaking person living in either Germany (mind you, I do and proud of it too), or France, I would really be proud that my native language sustains LIFE, SURVIVAL and HIGHER UPPER EDUCATION WHERE IT IS TO BE EXPECTED THAT SPECIFC UPPER ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO BE USED. !!!!

While promoting the english language may be completely in order, I still think that provisions are to be made with respect to one's own native language. I AM MALTESE AND ENGLISH IS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO ME.

I do have another question. What about oral examinations like interviews, wether scieintific, political,or employment related for example ? Does accent come into this ?

I AM NOT A NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON.

Edric Micallef Figallo

Mar 17th 2010, 11:41

What is unfair to students is determined by students, the argument is rubbish. Students had greater choice, now they don't. I'll speak for myself to start with. It is unfair for myself to be forced to give my civil and criminal procedure law exams in English while I have been planning all along to do the exams in Maltese. I can assure the Minister that my English is competent enough, enough to tell her that she should be ashamed of her words.

With all due respect to foreign examiners and the Minister, the students' rights and our language should come before mentioned considerations.

The Minister does do something important though, she confirms that the University Senate is against the Maltese language. Thanks for that.

P.S. @Sandro Agius

Qegħdin agħar minn żmien il-"lingwa tal-kċina". Almenu qabel fil-kċina l-Malti mitkellen kien ikun deċenti, illum bil-politika kulturali u lingwistika li tħalliet toktor fl-aħħar dekadi anke l-Malti tal-kċina spiss huwa farsa Ingliżata għal kważi kull klassi soċjali. "Mummy għaddili l-plate, ma rridx piżelli u carrots illum, please". Jew għati daqqa t'għajn il-"Malti" taż-żgħażagħ (u mhux) fuq siti bħal Facebook.

Christopher Camilleri

Mar 17th 2010, 11:31

I think that Malta is the only country in the EU in which University students cannot write their work in their native language.

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 17th 2010, 11:28

@ Sandro Agius,

Get real, please!

JC.

Anthony Paris

Mar 17th 2010, 11:20

I recall one of EFA's selling points to join the EU was that Malta will retain its language. God knows how much money has been spent in order to enable Maltese to be one of the official languages of the EU. If it makes sense for the EU why not the University? Clearly somewhere something does not make sense.

A Camilleri

Mar 17th 2010, 11:19

How about the law course? Would the examinations continue to be held in English or in Maltese? It is stupid to have all the credits and exams in English when the first rule taht one learns is that in case of doubt, the Maltese version always prevails!

John Micallef

Mar 17th 2010, 11:12

Dan huwa ezempju li jmissna nuzaw biex nispejegaw lil uliedna id-definizjoni tal-kelma: Kontradizjoni.

Grazzi

Catherine Aquilina

Mar 17th 2010, 11:11

Qabel ma l-Università tipponta subajha lejn l-istudenti, qabel xejn aħjar tiċċekkja ftit il-livell ta' ingliż li għandhom ċertu lecturers!

Insomma, bħal dejjem nibqgħu ngħidu: Viva Malta u l-Maltin!!!

Anthony Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 11:10

Let's be practical and down to earth. Maltese is limited to a population of max 420k whilst English opens up a whole universe.

T Camilleri

Mar 17th 2010, 11:10

This is a non-starter answer because the University should be promoting the use of Maltese instead of the English language and ALL students must be allowed to submit their work in Maltese.

This shows how we still have those persons including in high authorities who are lackeys to anything foreign.

Other Universities in other countries lecture in their national language. Indeed, you are required to learn their language before being enrolled for a course.

o galea

Mar 17th 2010, 11:09

@sandro
I am proud to be Maltese and even more so to be bi-lingual.
Malta is the envy of many larger countries for this simple fact.
A fact also that has brought foreign investors to our shores....
and created more jobs.

ASpiteri

Mar 17th 2010, 11:09

there's no need of any explanation to such stupidity!

It is quite confusing that whilst the whole world is integrating the English language as obligatory in Schools, here in Malta, who over all already possesses a very good knowledge of the language, we have politicians who are doing their outmost to destroy such asset!

J Aattard

Mar 17th 2010, 11:07

Sa fejn naf jien il-Malti qed jintuza' fl-EU allura ghalfejn ma nistghux nuzawh fl-Universita' ukoll?

S Cavetta

Mar 17th 2010, 11:07

I think it is fantastic that Malta is so proud of its language. Language makes up so much of a countries culture and this is so evident here. I am all for the Maltese preserving their language and therefore identity. However when will people get off their high horse and realize that in the wider scheme of things nobody cares about the Maltese language outside of these shores. All the foreign investment and much of the tourism ( which is Malta's lifeblood) is here because the island speaks English. Many Maltese can and do work abroad in the EU and further afield because they speak English. Like it or not the cast majority of text books and reference guides are going to be in English so it just makes practical sense. My message isnt an attach on the Maltese as some of you will think its just explaining the facts.

Sandro Agius

Mar 17th 2010, 11:01

Il-Vassalli ergajna kasbarnih...jekk il-malti huwa lingwa ewropeja kif ma tistax tuzah fl-universita ta' pajjizek....ergaja morna ghal zmien il-kcina...