/library/oar/handle/123456789/37749 2025-12-23T12:29:25Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/19977 Title: Mediterranean Journal of Educational Studies : Volume 11, Issue 2 Abstract: Mediterranean Journal of Educational Studies, Volume 11, No. 2 (2006) Description: Contents include : Conference Report : Higher education and the employment market in the Arab world / Melita Cristaldi - Transition from Primary to Secondary in Malta: Time to Break the Mould? by Grace Grima and Josette Farrugia (Book Review) / Michael A. Buhagiar - Awards and Recognition for Exceptional Teachers: K-12 and Community College Programs in the USA, Canada and Other Countries by Hans A. Andrews (Book Review) / Michelle Attard Tonna 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/19976 Title: Attitudes towards bilingualism : the case of two Greek islands Authors: Kostoulas-Makrakis, Nelly; Karantzola, Eleni; Athanassiadis, Elias Abstract: Bilingualism, and more recently plurilingualism, is attracting considerable attention due to the increasing influx of people with different ethnolinguistic background to Western societies as well as the fact that we live in a globalised world. This study presents the results of a large-scale survey administered to 1,727 students enrolled in Greek schools in the islands of Rhodes and Symi during the scholastic year 2002-2003. Using an adapted version of Baker’s questionnaire (see Baker, 2001), the study attempted to investigate students’ attitudes toward bilingualism. The results indicate a general positive attitude toward bilingualism. Most of the students were aware of the fact that knowing more than one language would be useful in their adult life, particularly in view of the professional and economic rewards that this brings in an increasingly globalised world. It was however found that the subjects of the study were not so positively disposed toward bilingualism as a societal phenomenon. The study findings are discussed in relation to language education policy in Greece. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/19975 Title: Making inroads in educational leadership within the Euro-Mediterranean context : a collaborative initiative between Italy and Malta Authors: Bezzina, Christopher; Paletta, Angelo; Vidoni, Daniele Abstract: A sense of urgency shapes our national discourse on state education. Students strive to meet new academic standards while their teachers work to improve the quality and equity of education opportunities. Yet achievement gaps persist, particularly in urban and rural schools . The demand for effective leadership is clear. We need school leaders who visualise successful student learning, understand the work necessary to achieve it, and have the skills to engage with others to make it happen. How can we prepare more individuals to meet these challenges? This paper explores what three universities – two in Italy and one in Malta – are doing to establish a programme that offers an innovative pathway to school leadership. It presents the inception of this partnership, the rationale behind the discourse that has evolved over the years, and the establishment of links between the universities and other bodies within the Mediterranean and Commonwealth contexts with the aim of preparing the next generation of school leaders needed within the Euro-Mediterranean region. The concluding part presents a number of opportunities that lie ahead and highlights the various challenges that await us as we embark on this journey. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/19973 Title: Learning styles and the selection of majors among Lebanese youth Authors: Nasser, Ramzi N.; Carifio, James M. Abstract: Learning style preferences and selection of university major data were obtained from a sample of 199 Lebanese high school graduates. These measures and gender were used to assess the relation between the selection of major and learning style preferences. The main assumption was that students who believe they have competencies or ability in a certain area would make choices to pursue activities in these areas in order to develop further these competencies (Holland, 1973). The perceptual and biological development of students’ auditory, visual, tactual and kinesthetic senses appeared to be a key factor in their way of acquiring information. Thus, fitting learning preferences to the specific content knowledge required is with little doubt a very important issue that needs to be addressed by research. This study found that learning style preferences were not homogeneous and were not homogenously distributed across majors. Overall, students indicated a preference for the visual and active learning styles.Females, however, were higher than males on both reflective and verbal styles. Chi-square analyses indicated that each of the six general major areas had distinct learning style attribute profiles that distinguished them from the others. Learning style profiles, therefore, may contribute positively to student selection processes for different majors. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z