Italian language course: Foreign languages in primary schools

Maltese society is fast turning into a multi-cultural society. As educators, we are fully aware of this from the situations we face every day in our classrooms.

We also know that young children are able to communicate easily in three of four languages. These children may not necessarily be of secondary school age. Primary schoolchildren might not have mastered the four linguistic skills (listening, understanding, reading and writing), but they may still have plurilingual competence.

This year, Year 3 pupils (seven-year-olds) at Achille Ferris Primary School, Msida, put up a performance during Prize Day in which they sang in Italian. In Cinquanta Special, a young boy and girl yearn for the summer holidays when they can be free to go on their Vespa. Besides providing them with hassle-free parking, this stylish mode of getting around the city is fun and gives them freedom.

Besides exposing the children to the foreign language, the popular tune of this Italian song provided them with cultural conceptions. Lunapop, which was so popular in the Sixties, was brought again to life in the newly refurbished school hall. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all - children and adults.

The representation was dolce and noisy at the same time. The loud Vespe was the best guide for the young pupils to get them to know about the Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum of Rome. These were vividly painted as a backdrop by Mr and Mrs Manicolo whose children attend the school.

Teachers and facilitators of Year 3 classes - Ms M.R. Zammit, Ms M. Farrugia, Ms J. Mariani and Ms V. Farrugia - worked very hard to make the young children aware of the European linguistic and cultural diversity. Besides becoming acquainted with Italian language course and culture, they experienced different situations and domains of communication, including awareness about democratic citizenship.

In July's Inset courses, a seminar on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages was held for teachers of French. In November 2001, a European Union Council Resolution recommended the use of this Council of Europe instrument to set up systems of validation of language competences.

The next step forward is the teaching of foreign languages in primary schools. It is a fact that English has become a foreign language instead of a second language as it should really be. However, exposing them to other stimulating experiences in either French or Italian could be beneficial.

Year 3 pupils at Achille Ferris Msida Primary School did this wholeheartedly. Their parents were very proud of them, and the staff and education authorities present, were prouder still!