GENERAL INFORMATION - For specific details go to courses' pages.

Summer Courses:
Summer Courses are held in the following levels in Malta:
Beginners' - Form 1
Form 2
Form 3
Form 4
'O' Level Matsec.
In Gozo: Beginners' - Form 1
Summer classes are held once weekly, between 9.00 and 11.00am between July and September for a total of 20 hours of Italian.

Winter Courses:
Category A: Form 1 - 'O' level . These lessons, aimed for students, are held once weekly between 5.30 and 7.00pm. Courses start in the first week of October and run till the first week of May, for a total of 37 hours of Italian. In these courses the students will cover the syllabi of their respective age group, and will eventually be prepared for the Matsec 'O' level examination.

Matsec 'A' level. In this 1 year course, students are prepared to sit for Matsec 'A' level. Lessons start in the last week of September and last till the date of examination.During lessons, held twice weekly from 5.00 till 7.00pm, special attention is given to Italian language, literature and culture. Plenty of notes are distributed throughout the course.

Adults' Courses. Special classes are held for adults. Amongst these there are : i. Beginners' Classes
ii. Conversation Classes
iii. Refresher Courses
iv. Foreigners' Classes
All these classes are held once weekly throughout the Winter months, starting from the first week of October till the first week of May between 5.30 and 7.00pm. Individual attention is given in all classes. Morning classes may also be held, but this depends on the number of enrolled participants. The aim of these courses is not to prepare participants for axaminations, but to help them enhance their knowledge of the Italian language and culture and to help them improve their levels of Italian.

Category B. - Specialised Courses These courses may vary in nature, from hospitality to commercial Italian, from translation techniques to Italian music. The duration of the courses and the period when they are held vary according to their nature and their demand.

Tailor - Made Courses We offer tailor - made courses for hospitality industries, companies, commercial entities, hotels and others who might require such services. The levels, the duration and the period during the year are agreed upon between both parties. Such courses can be held either at our premises or elsewhere, depending on the needs of our clients.

All the above mentioned courses and services are being offered even in Gozo. All courses are certified, and our certificates are internationally recognised.
All our tutors are highly qualified and professional in their work.

 

Italian maintained its popularity among students' first choice for the studying of a foreign language.

SCHOLASTIC YEAR 2004/2005

Foreign language learning
During the scholastic year 2004/2005, statistics revealed that the Maltese educational system provided for the teaching of foreign languages from the lower secondary level upwards. Apart from English being taught from the early stages of compulsory education, only 306 students at church and independent private schools studied Italian, Spanish, French, and Arabic towards the end of their primary education.
A closer look at the distribution of languages studied during 2004/2005, showed that at the lower secondary level (forms I to V), Italian maintained its popularity among students’ first choice for the studying of a foreign language. In fact, those who took Italian as a first foreign language accounted for 14,645 or 51.0 per cent of the total number of students at
secondary level - same as in 2003/04. Italian as a first foreign language, however, seemed to be much popular amongst boys. The percentage of boys studying Italian as their first foreign language stood at 61.8 per cent - against the 40.3 per cent for girls. The highest
first preference amongst girls during the year under review was again French. In fact 6,807 or 47.4 per cent of girls as opposed to 3,735 or 26.1 per cent of boys chose French as their first foreign language. Consequentially, French ranked as the second most studied first foreign language among the 11-16 year old with 36.8 per cent of all the students at lower secondary.
Apart from Italian and French, there were 1,905 students or 6.6 per cent of the total number of students, who opted to take German, while another small number of students, 421 or 1.5 per cent took Spanish. Only 12 students took Arabic and another 3 took Russian, as their first choice.
A similar pattern followed in the choice of a second foreign language; Italian proved once again to be the most favourite as 3,634 students or 53.0 per cent of the number of students who studied a second foreign language, opted for Italian. On the other hand, 30.2 per cent of the students took French. However, the number of female students who took Italian as a second foreign language accounted for 68.6 per cent of the total female students taking a second foreign language. This showed an opposite trend to that
evidenced in the choice of a first foreign language amongst the two sexes. Whilst female students gave preference to French as their first choice for foreign language, the majority of them preferred Italian as their second choice.
On the other hand, 51.7 per cent of the male students taking a second foreign language opted for French, 33.9 per cent chose Italian, 12.7 per cent chose German and 1.6 per cent chose Spanish as their second choice. Only 15 students opted for Arabic, 6 for Russian and another 5 students chose Latin as their second foreign language. Overall, the most popular first foreign language in both public, church and private secondary schools remained Italian with 56.3 per cent, 40.8 per cent and 45.8 per cent popularity among all students in the respective schools. French ranked second and German retained its third position. The same ranking favouring was evident with the choice of the second foreign language among all the three sectors. 1,158 students or 4.0 per cent of secondary students did not study any foreign language. 62.8 per cent of these students were males. 834 or 72.0 per cent of these students attended government secondary schools. Another 754 or 13.3 per cent attended secondary church schools whilst the remaining 14.7 attended private independent secondary schools.
On the other hand, 22,182 students or 77.3 per cent of the total number of students at lower secondary did not take a second foreign language, other than English. From these 17,009 were coming from public secondary schools, 1,441 were coming from private independent secondary schools and 3,732 were coming from church secondary schools. 53.9 per cent of these students who did not take a second foreign language were males.
The teaching of foreign languages in schools in Malta and Gozo continues also at the upper secondary level. At Junior College for instance, it resulted that during 2004/05, 2,201 students or 72.0 per cent were studying one foreign language (including English). This showed an increase of 1.5 per cent over the previous year. 539 or 17.6 per cent of the students were studying two foreign languages (including English) and 36 or 1.2 per cent were studying three foreign languages (including English). 281 or 9.2 per cent of the students were not studying any foreign language but were studying Maltese, since it is compulsory for all students at Junior College to study a language being local or foreign.
The English language was chosen by 2,352 students at Junior College, making English the first most studied foreign language. From these students, 646 or 27.5 per cent took English at advanced level while 1,706 or 72.5 per cent took English at intermediate level. 666 students took Italian, 259 took French and 64 took German.
There was another small fraction of students (45 students) who were studying Spanish.
At Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary, a similar pattern followed. In fact, one finds that in 2004/05 the most popular language was once again English. 532 students were studying English at advanced or intermediate level. Italian ranked second with 244 students; followed by 76 students studying French and 20 studying Spanish.
16 students were studying German and only 4 students were taking Arabic.
Similarly, at Sir M. Refalo (Post Secondary Gozo) statistics sustained the popularity of English as the most foreign language being studied at this level. In fact 397 students chose English - 76 at Advanced Level and 321 at Intermediate level. Italian followed with 91 students, French with 22, Spanish with 8 and German with 5. 383 or 75.0 per cent of the students took one foreign language. 69 students took two foreign languages and only 3 students were studying three foreign languages. 56 or 11.0 per cent of the students were not studying any foreign language but were again studying Maltese.
At the government dependent and independent post secondary schools figures revealed once again that English maintained its popularity amongst post secondary students. In fact, 601 students took English as a foreign language. From these, 184 or 30.6 per cent took English at advanced level, while 417 or 69.4 per cent took English at intermediate level. English was followed by Italian with 165 students, by French with 95 students and
German with 15 students and Spanish with only 11 students. Interestingly, all languages in these schools were more frequently taken at intermediate level rather than at advanced level. German for instance, was 100 per cent taken at intermediate level. 499 or 69.4 of the students at the government dependent and independent post secondary schools took one foreign language and 166 or 23.1 per cent of the students took two foreign languages. Only 10 students took 3 languages and another 44 students did not take any foreign language but were studying Maltese. Students enrolled in the Matriculation Course at MCAST were also studying foreign languages at post secondary level. English was once again the most language chosen. All students except of 8, who took two foreign languages, took only one foreign language.
Within a European context, Malta compared favourably with other EU member states, other candidate countries and EFTA/EEA countries in the average number of languages learnt at lower and upper secondary level (Isced 2 & 3). In fact, Malta had an average of 2.2 languages per pupil at lower secondary whilst the EU average was 1.3 languages per pupil. Malta together with another eleven countries namely Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden had an average of two or more language taught at upper-secondary level Eurydice 2005).

Compiled by:
Population and Social Statistics Unit
National Statistics Office - Malta

21th July 2007

PRESS INFO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ISSUED 02.09.2004
(English version further down)

 

WINTER COURSES IN ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The Societa’ Dante Alighieri is gearing up for a new academic year with a number of courses in Italian literature and culture.
The role of the Societa’ Dante Alighieri, a non profit organization, is becoming more and more important within the overall education structure in Malta.

For these last 45 years the SDA has provided a high caliber contribution to the teaching of the language that has been declared the international language for culture. The results of the survey carried out by the NSO regarding language teaching in Maltese schools is also indicative of the importance our neighbour’s language is accorded by the upcoming generations.

The SDA has also recently launched a new website where one can find all the relevant information regarding the academic programme and other related information including links that can help students in their study and research activity.

Also following the successful attempt to introduce summer classes in Gozo a similar exercise will be undertaken to promote classes for the new academic year.

Starting in October, the SDA will be offering courses at all levels including ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels for both adults and students. There are also special classes for foreigners.

The Secretariat and the Didactic Directorate will also launch other specialized courses including the commercial and the tourism sectors. The syllabus of these courses is co-ordinated with Italian language experts from the Head Office in Rome.

More details regarding the courses can be obtained from the offices of the SDA Training Centre, in 134 Old Bakery Street Valletta between 05.00 and 07.00 from Monday to Friday or on Tel. no. 21238408. website: www.dantemalta.org. email address: corsi@dantemalta.org

 

ITALIANO PER OPERATORI

CALL CENTRE

In chiusura dell'anno solare il Comitato di Malta è orgoglioso di aver raggiunto nuovi obiettivi con l'organizzazione di un corso speciale dedicato interamente a un'emergente fascia di utenza nel campo delle telecomunicazioni, marketing, assistenza clienti.

La dott.ssa Andreoletti durante una delle sessioni

Le competenze linguistiche frutto di relazioni di buon vicinato ma anche di storiche dominazioni oggi nel mondo della globalizzazione mediatica rappresentano un valore aggiunto alla forza lavoro di un paese. L'isola di Malta, al centro del mediterraneo, ne è un classico esempio che ha fatto dell'inglese una risorsa economica importante sia per per gli scambi internazionali sia per lo studio della lingua abbinato al turismo.
L'italiano è un'altra lingua che i maltesi coltivano con particolare interesse e il Comitato di La Valletta della Società Dante Alighieri ha colto al volo l'opportunità che offre il nuovo settore dei Call Centre di respiro internazionale che operano dall'arcipelago.

Partecipazione attiva dei discenti

Dopo un percorso di formazione condotto dal Direttore dei corsi della Dante maltese, i partecipanti sono stati impegnati in un seminario di due giorni organizzato con la collaborazione dell'Università Cattolica di Milano, Facoltà di Lingue e Letterature - Master di primo livello in Didattica dell'Italiano L2. Il progetto è stato realizzato con la fattiva assistenza della Malta Enterprise.
I discenti hanno avuto modo di confrontarsi con le varietà regionali della lingua, gli aspetti fondamentali di fonetica e sono stati introdotti a momenti di cultura ed attualità italiana.
Del seminario si sono occupati la dott.ssa Chiara Andreoletti e il dott. Bruno Pace che hanno preparato un programma ad hoc per il seminario maltese. Quest'esperienza continua a consolidare i rapporti tra il Master L2 della Cattolica e la Dante maltese presso la quale diversi masterini trascorrono periodi di stage per seguire i modelli di insegnamento sia nelle classi della Dante ma anche presso scuole private e pubbliche maltesi. Alcuni tornano.........

Il corso si è concluso con la presentazione degli attestati di frequenza a circa 20 partecipanti che hanno seguito circa 40 ore di tutorato.

Presentazione dei certificati - Cav. Martin Micallef (Presidente SDA-Malta), Shirley Sultana (partecipante), Mario Pace (Direttore Corsi SDA-Malta), Chiara Andreoletti (Tutore), Bruno Pace (Tutore)

 

 

Corso di laurea telematico in Lingua e cultura italiana per cittadini stranieri e italiani residenti all'estero - www.italicon.it
Borse di studio

Borse di studio ICoN
a copertura totale delle quote di immatricolazione
Il Consorzio ICoN mette a disposizione 15 borse di studio annuali a copertura totale delle quote di iscrizione con tutorato al primo anno del Corso di laurea, riservate a cittadini stranieri eitaliani residenti in:
- America Latina (tutti i Paesi);
- Africa (tutti i Paesi);
- Europa (Albania, Bielorussia, Bosnia-Erzegovina, Bulgaria, Cipro, Croazia, Estonia, Lettonia, Lituania, Macedonia, Polonia, Repubblica Ceca, Repubblica di Moldavia, Repubblica Slovacca, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Turchia, Ucraina, Ungheria).
Scadenza 20 agosto 2007

Borse di studio ICoN
a copertura parziale delle quote di immatricolazione
Il Consorzio ICoN mette a disposizione 15 borse di studio annuali a copertura parziale delle quote di iscrizione in autoapprendimento al primo anno del Corso di laurea, riservate a cittadini stranieri e italiani residenti all’estero.
Scadenza 20 agosto 2007

Borse di studio ICoN
riservate a emigrati emiliano romagnoli e loro discendenti
Il Consorzio ICoN mette a disposizione 10 borse di studio annuali a copertura totale delle quote di iscrizione con tutorato al primo anno del Corso di laurea, riservate a emigrati emiliano romagnoli, e loro discendenti, residenti all'estero.
Scadenza 20 agosto 2007

Borse di studio ICoN
riservate a emigrati trentini e loro discendenti
Il Consorzio ICoN mette a disposizione 5 borse di studio annuali a copertura totale delle quote di iscrizione con tutorato al primo anno del Corso di laurea, riservate a emigrati trentini, e loro discendenti, residenti all'estero.
Scadenza 30 giugno 2007

Per ulteriori informazioni:
http://www.italicon.it/
____________

Laura De Renzis
Responsabile Relazioni Esterne - Consorzio ICoN Italian Culture on the Net
http://www.italicon.it
via S. Maria 36
I - 56126 Pisa
derenzis@italicon.it
Tel. +39 050 221 26 91
FAX:+39 050 221 26 97