Basic information on the spoken languages and the educational system:

The national language is Maltese, a language of Semitic origin and with Romance elements. English is both a second as well as an official language, over 90% of the population can speak it. Within the education system Maltese children are exposed to both languages, since at both the primary and the secondary level the approach is a bilingual one involving both languages in partnership.

Both Maltese and English are used with children attending kindergartens as form the age of three, with English being predominantly spoken in some non-state kindergartens. Kindergartens are universally available from the age of three. However, through the influence of television, children are exposed to both English and Italian at a very early age. The primary pupil is formally exposed to English from the age of 5, when compulsory schooling starts. During the six years of primary education, teaching takes place mainly in Maltese during the early years. During the latter part of the primary cycle, English is increasingly used as a language of instruction in many fields of knowledge.

At the point of transfer to the secondary education course - a five year course from the age of 11 to the age of 16 - Maltese students are required to study one of these languages: Italian, French, German, Spanish and Arabic. For historical, geographical and cultural reasons, the most popular choice remains Italian.

By the third or fourth year of secondary education, students are given the option to start studying a fourth language. The choice includes Italian, French, German, Spanish and Russian, while Latin and Arabic, although on offer, are taken up by an exceedingly small minority of students only.

On 10-02-98 Malta has ratified the European Framework Convention of National Minorities, where it declares that there are no national minorities on its territory.

Websites: