When local councils and schools work together

Abstract

Migrant students in Malta are faced with the arduous task of learning not one but two languages - English and Maltese – both present in the educational system and essential for a successful transition into a new life in Malta. Parents are often aware of the challenges their children face and realise that competence in the languages spoken in the host country is crucial for their academic achievement and integration. They wish to support their children but this is not always possible especially when they do not speak these languages themselves. Time and financial constraints, lack of an extended family support system and the feeling of being inadequate or incapable of learning a new language at an older age often keep them back from attending language classes. This means that lack of knowledge in a language is often shared between the generations. In such cases, having healthy levels of parental involvement can also benefit the parents themselves.