Where to from here? - Strategies and priorities for the futureAuthor: Helen Borland & Carmen Ilibasic Teaching and Learning of MalteseStatistics relating to VCE students sitting examinations in Maltese underestiirnate the number of persons studying Maltese because many students do not go on VCE examinations. A number of people learn Maltese at other venues, and perhaps these people should be encouraged to go on to study VCE Maltese. Northern and Eastern Maltese can come to the MCCV and study Maltese formally. There is a need to look at the syllabus requirements and qualifications of people who teach Maltese if we wish to consider offering VCE Maltese at more venues. Currently teaching of Maltese at the MCCV is carried out by people who have been teaching voluntarily. Is an exchange teacher from the University of Malta to teach Maltese for a two-year period, say at Victoria University, a possibility? This had not been possible to achieve in the past. However, it was pointed out that this was not necessarily a solution anyway as people need qualifications and awareness of the Australian context to teach within the current syllabus. Maltese is currently taught at: - Keilor Downs Secondary College
- St Paul's, Wantiira College
- Maltese Community Centre - Parkville and Sunshine West St Bernadette's Primary School.
Some of the students in these programs want to sit for VCE examinations. Can a subsidy be sought from the Victorian School of Languages? One problem encountered by the MCCV over the years has been the difficulty of organising an ongoing Educational Committee. It was suggested that those people who are interested in joining this committee can put their names down and the committee will be resourced by the mccv. Whilst language and culture are important, language is not a prerequisite to having an interest in Maltese culture. Cultural knowledge can increase through learning of the Maltese language. There is a need to market Maltese to people in terms of the cognitive benefits, as well as the benefit of offering another language to a prospective employer in the workforce. The current Maltese VCE exam paper will include questions regarding knowledge of contemporary Maltese issues. Library of ResourcesThe MCCV has a very valuable community resource in its Library. These materials could be more widely accessed by the community including youth. It was agreed that there was a need to examine how the use of this resource can be maximised, whilst acknowledging that there are limited resources to support the operation (eg. volunteers assist with the running of the library). ConclusionThere was strong support for the value of the forum and considerable enthusiasm for consideration of future events. It was agreed that effort should be made to try to broaden community involvement even further. A number of participants indicated their preparedness to work together developing their ideas for a future forum based around some of the issues identified in the discussion. The MCCV and VU both indicated their interest in contributing to future forums. In closing, Helen Borland thanked everyone for their participation and gave a special vote of thanks on behalf of the audience to Maurice Cauchi, Agnes Cauchi, the staff of the Maltese Community Centre and catering staff for their work in ensuring a very well-organised and productive day. Source: Maltese Background Youth - Editors Cauchi M, Borland H, Adams R, 1999, [Europe Australia Institute], p 87
   
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