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<h1 class="">Raising the standards in English language use in Malta – Education Ministry</h1>
<p class="">by <a href="http://gozonews.com/author/Xc%4*c$4%21h8+a&0/" title="Posts by Gozo News" rel="author">Gozo News</a> · September 11, 2014</p>
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<p><img src="http://gozonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Improved_English.jpg" style="text-align: center; width: 720px; display: block; height: 479px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Raising the standards in English language use in Malta - Education Ministry" alt="Raising the standards in English language use in Malta - Education Ministry" height="479" width="720">A
programme of the Ministry for Education and Employment announces
strategic collaboration with Cambridge English, UK, to strengthen the
teaching of scientific literacy through English</p>
<p>The Ministry said that the English Language has a special status in
bilingual Malta and plays an important role in a number of economic,
educational, cultural, and professional contexts. There are persistent
concerns about the standards in English Language use, within the school
system, the media and beyond.</p>
<p>The Ministry for Education acknowledges these concerns and said that
it is embarking on an ambitious and rigorous programme and campaign for
the maintenance and the raising of standards in English Language use in
Malta.</p>
<p>In the first instance there will be a structured and focused enquiry
into the multifaceted and complex situation of English language use in
Maltese schools. In conjunction with Cambridge English, UK, a review of
the current levels of English Language proficiency of Maltese school age
students is to be conducted. The purpose of this review is to report on
the levels of English language competence of learners according to
international standards.</p>
<p>Cambridge English Language Assessment, UK delivers over 4 million
language assessments every year and has worked with governments and
organisations around the world, including commonwealth countries, on
similar projects.</p>
<p>A reliable evaluation of the current standards in English Language
proficiency in Maltese schools will be conducted to enable the Ministry
to set realistic and achievable targets for future English learning and
teaching in the National Language Policy in Education.</p>
<p>An integrated solution is being sought in order to raise standards
and enhance student learning outcomes. Through a well-defined language
policy and strategy as well as an analysis of baseline diagnostics, a
number of important sectors will be reviewed and a clear implementation
plan drawn up., the Ministry said.</p>
<p>This will include 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.</p>
<p>The Ministry said that positive attitudes towards both English and
Maltese are to be encouraged systematically. Specific consideration will
be given to improving communicative competence and how the English
Language could be better activated in a variety of contexts.</p>
<p>“For Malta to strengthen its economic position in the world market,
it needs to continue developing a world-class quality education system.
The attainment of scientific literacy must be viewed as central to
education reform in Malta. This is to be considered as a way of
empowering citizens towards economic gain.”</p>
<p>A scientifically-literate Maltese public can enhance Malta’s market
position, the Ministry said. “Extensive science knowledge is written in
English and needs to be readily accessible. Therefore Malta is to
strengthen the imparting of science education through English as the
Medium of Instruction (EMI). 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.”</p>
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