A historical analysis of the teaching of Italian in Maltese educational institutions (1900-1939)

Abstract

This dissertation analyses the importance which Italian enjoyed as a language of culture and education and its eventual downgrading to an optional foreign language in the pre Second World War years in the framework of Maltese politics and education. The dissertation illustrates the effect of the Language Question on the educational sector namely on teaching methods, choice of language of instruction and examination (due to the 'pari passu ' and 'free choice' systems) and on teachers', students' and parents' attitudes to Italian on the textbooks and syllabuses used, and on the change in job requirements. This leads to a comparison of various views on the Language Question and to how the English and Maltese languages affected and replaced Italian in Maltese education and culture. The strategy used by the British and local governments and the events which led the Maltese to appreciate the importance of these languages and treat Italian as a foreign language are also examined. Finally a quick analysis of how Italian was never totally eliminated from Malta through the help of technology and of our vicinity to Italy is offered. Such situation existing in the period under focus is illustrated from educational reports, newspapers, books, official documents and interviews held with ex-headteachers, ex-teachers and ex-students who lived these events in the first person.