Malta’s ministry of education has announced a nationwide review of English language proficiency of school-aged children in response to concerns that standards of English in the country are slipping.
The review will be carried out by Cambridge English before the government rolls out a programme to maintain and raise the standards of English language use in the country.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo underlined the importance of English for the country’s economy. “We simply cannot afford to stand still or fall behind,” he said.
In a statement the ministry asserted its commitment to the project. “There are persistent concerns about the standards in English Language use, within the school system, the media and beyond,” it said.
“There are persistent concerns about the standards in English Language use, within the school system, the media and beyond”
“The Ministry for Education acknowledges these concerns and is embarking on an ambitious and rigorous programme and campaign for the maintenance and the raising of standards in English Language use in Malta.”
The inquiry will test English language competency levels of learners according to international standards through Cambridge English Language Assessments.
Based on the results the ministry will then set targets for future English learning and teaching under a National Language Policy in Education.
The policy will include an overhaul of English curriculum design, actual teaching and learning of English in schools, materials and resources, teacher preparation and development.
“Emphasis will also be put on institutional capacity building in order to allow Malta to maintain the special status of English and to ensure high levels of proficiency which provide it with a cutting edge in its international dealings,” the ministry confirmed in a statement.
“Specific consideration will be given to improving communicative competence and how the English Language could be better activated in a variety of contexts.”
The government also announced that it will bolster teaching pracactes in the sciences through an English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI) programme.
“English and scientific literacy must be core elements of both school education and teacher education if economic advancement is to be a national focus for international engagement,” the ministry said.
“Our ability to continue to attract students to learn English depends on our capability as a nation to use English”
The ubiquity of English in Malta has allowed the country to cultivate a competitive ELT study industry that is a major contributor to the national economy.
ELT students account for around 5% of the one million visiting foreign nationals annually and in July the share jumps to almost 11%. The industry also provides employment for around 2,000 locals.
The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM) has welcomed the government’s move to boost standards saying “improving English proficiency must be a national priority”.
“FELTOM has long called for the strengthening of English proficiency in Malta,” it said. “Our ability to continue to attract students to learn English depends on our capability as a nation to use English.”
In 2013 some 74,000 students studied at FELTOM member institutions resulting in over 233,000 weeks for TEFL providers.
