A brand-new pioneering course, the Diploma in Applied Linguistics which is set to begin in September 2025, is being launched by the University of Malta (UM) as part of a broader initiative to advance and promote linguistic accessibility, particularly in (LSM).
This is the first time a course with LSM as a medium of instruction and assessment has been offered at university level in Malta. Students on the course will have extensive experience of using LSM in their daily lives, and being part of the Maltese Sign Language Community.
This development was made possible through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UM, the (MIV), and the (KLSM), marking a shared commitment to fostering inclusion through education and training in close alignment with the goals set out in the .
The Maltese Sign Language Council (KLSM) has long advocated for the introduction of such a course, having identified a growing demand from the community. More and more people, including parents of Deaf children, family members, educators, and members of the public, are seeking to learn LSM to improve communication and accessibility. The Council recognised the urgent need to equip fluent LSM users with the tools to respond to this demand by teaching the language in various community, educational, and professional settings.
This course was designed to prepare LSM (Lingwa tas-Sinjali Maltija / Maltese Sign Language) users, particularly Deaf signers, with a theoretical understanding and practical skills for passing on their native language to others in a range of community and higher education settings. It will also serve to provide users of Maltese Sign Language (LSM) with the necessary skills and qualifications to teach the language in settings that do not require a formal teaching warrant.
University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella commented that “This agreement sets the stage for the joint development, implementation, and funding of a new undergraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics focused on Maltese Sign Language (LSM). Through this partnership, we are not only responding to national educational and inclusion goals but also reaffirming the University’s commitment to serving diverse communities through meaningful and inclusive academic initiatives."
The setting up, implementation and delivery of the course were generously sponsored by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV), through the allocation of a grant worth €70,000 to the University.
“The Maltese Sign Language Council is proud to support this ground-breaking initiative, which represents a major step forward in promoting LSM education and accessibility in Malta”, said Annabelle Xerri, Chairperson of the Maltese Sign Language Council.
Maltese Sign Language is a full language with its own grammar and vocabulary, capable of expressing anything that can be expressed in any other language. LSM is a unique expression of Malta’s culture and identity, and has developed independently within the local Deaf community. It became an official language of Malta when it was approved in Parliament in 2016.
Dr Benjamin Matthews, a Lecturer within the University’s Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology, confirmed that the Institute will oversee the delivery of this course.
“The delivery of this course by the University of Malta represents a key milestone in the advancement of Sign Language education and linguistic inclusion. By offering high-quality academic training tailored to the needs of fluent LSM users, UM is helping to ensure that future LSM educators are equipped with both the theoretical foundations and practical tools required to teach effectively across various educational and community settings,” he concluded.
