¸£ÀûÔÚÏßÃâ·Ñ

from the within the , presented a paper on the challenges of language integration in Malta at the Multidisciplinary Approaches in Language Policy and Planning Conference (LPP 2024).

The conference took place at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, between 27 June and 1 July 2024. The paper delved into the intricate challenges of language integration in Malta, the smallest nation within the European Union, which has witnessed unparalleled migrant population growth over the last decade. The complexity arises from Malta's bilingual status, with Maltese and English serving as official languages, each differing markedly in their functions and domains of usage.

In an attempt to address its rapidly changing socio-demographic landscape, Malta initiated the Migrant Integration Strategy & Action Plan in 2017 with the intention of setting up a stronger framework for the integration of migrants who were already working and living in Malta. As part of this initiative, the I Belong program was established, serving as a prerequisite for non-EU nationals aspiring to attain long-term residence status.

The paper presents a scholarly examination, drawing upon data collected from over 350 students who completed the I Belong Stage 2 Maltese language integration program. Through rigorous analysis, this contribution illuminates the efficacy and relevance of the program and its ramifications within the context of Malta's evolving social fabric.

By offering empirical insights, this research contributes substantively to the academic understanding of language integration strategies and informs future policy frameworks not only in Malta but also in comparable sociolinguistic contexts.

The study was possible thanks to the University of Malta Research Seed Fund 2023.