New courses to entice more adult learners

If you ever wanted to learn Chinese, stone carving or pure maths in your spare time, you’re in the right country as the latest adult learning courses, launched yesterday, include that and much more.

Outside the law courts, actresses played out monologues, a troupe of dancers grooved to the beats blaring out of the sound system and a small ensemble from the Johann Strauss School of Music played a couple of tunes to launch the scheme.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina said the courses were gaining popularity, and last year close to 10,000 people took part, an increase of 32 per cent over the previous year – and a figure she hoped would increase with the new courses on offer.

The 20 new courses include languages such as Chinese, Swedish and Russian as well as courses with a bearing on everyday life, such as vehicle maintenance and fitness.

What was new this year, Minister Cristina said, was that the courses would be accredited by the Malta Qualifications Council and be acknowledged with a certificate. A number of basic courses will be taking place in villages in collaboration with local councils.

Applications for these courses opened yesterday and close on September 3. One can apply online at www.eveningcourses.gov.mt or by sending a filled application, available at local council offices or online, to Adult Learning Unit, Room 320, Directorate for Lifelong Learning, Floriana FRN 1810.