Noun phrase structures in Maltese university students' commerce texts : a study in academic Maltese English

Abstract

Maltese university students' competence in English has, for a number of years now, been a· topic of much debate. There seems to be a general consensus among university staff, as well as among others who are not in immediate contact with the situation at university, that Maltese university students' linguistic competence in English is becoming increasingly unacceptable for their academic needs and level of education. During an informal question and answer session held at the university common room in February, 1997, for example, the university rector, Prof. Ellul-Micallef, expressed his concern over the matter, as well as his belief in the importance of the English language at university: Answering a question from a student who claimed it was "banal" that university students could not answer examination questions or write assignments in Maltese, Prof. Ellul Micallef replied: "Malta's biggest advantage is the English language. Students who obtain a university degree can proceed to carry out a postgraduate degree in a foreign country. The English language allows us to communicate with the rest of the world. Unfortunately the level of English, both spoken and written, is of great concern to us. I receive letters which are incomprehensible due to the low level of English." ("Concern over level of English at university", 1997)