When a Congolese boy shyly walked onto the playground at his new primary school in Malta he was surrounded by a group of curious children who introduced him to their foreign peers before they all played together.

"It was sweet and funny at the same time to see how such small children instantly welcomed their new friend and felt the need to introduce him to children of his same colour," Catherine Farrugia, an assistant head at Maria Regina College St Paul's Bay Primary, recalled with affection.

This is one of the scenes witnessed daily at the school where children from about 20 different nationalities mingle effortlessly and overcome communication problems through the international language of play.

"I still play with children, even if I don't understand what they're saying," eight-year-old Thomas, who is Maltese, said matter-of-factly.

"They usually know a bit of English or Maltese, so we manage. For example, in my class there is a Bulgarian girl who speaks English, which means I can speak to her," he smiled.

Walking into the school, situated right by the sea, the multicultural mix is immediately evident.

In the entrance hall a board displays photographs of the school concert in which rows of students, from different ethnicities, sit side by side.

A large, handcrafted map pin-points the countries from where the children come. But the boundaries sketched around the labelled countries fizzle out within the school walls.

"I'm amazed at the way children interact in the classroom. Sometimes, even if they don't speak the same language they manage to communicate. We emphasise that they are different but that there is strength in diversity," school head Lina Deguara said.

Like many foreign children who joined the school, 11-year-old Shauna from England, eight-year-old Rosie from Bulgaria, and Tischik, nine, from Congo explain that initially they found it a bit difficult to mingle.

"When I came last May it was hard as I didn't know anyone and the school work was different. I made some friends but it wasn't very easy to speak to them at first. But now it's better. I like it a lot," Shauna said, adding that her friends are Dutch, English and Maltese.

As she rested her head in her hands, Rosie said: "At first I found it a bit difficult to make friends but then it was very easy. Most of my friends are Maltese and my best friend is English".

She and Tischik are learning English and Maltese.

Like Thomas, nine-year-old Martin, whose father is Maltese while her mother was born in Thailand, is ready to play with anyone willing to join in even if at times communication is a bit difficult as he struggles a little with Maltese.

Ahmed, eight, who has an Egyptian father and a Tunisian mother, is also more fluent in Maltese and has an explanation for this: "My mother taught me the language and I learnt to speak it," he said, adding that his friends are mostly Maltese except for an Egyptian boy.

Clearly, cross-continent communication comes easier for those who speak both English and Maltese, so the school offers specialised language classes.

The language assistant teacher, Mildred Borg, works closely with the foreign children.

"Children get curious about children from other countries while the newcomers usually love talking about where they come from, which makes it easier to get them talking," she said.

Out of the 780 students at the school, about 80 are foreign and originate from 20 different countries with most coming from Europe, especially the UK.

However, Ms Deguara added, the diversity is greater because there are some children who have foreign parents but were born in Malta and so they are registered as locals.

What brings about this social and cultural diversity at this school?

Ms Deguara believes that the main reason seems to be the locality itself as it attracts foreigners, possibly because it is close to the sea and accommodation is readily available while rent is still relatively more affordable.