UM and Maypole team up to help non-Maltese speaking employees

by Gozo News · June 9, 2025

The University of Malta’s Department of Maltese has launched new Maltese language course in collaboration with Maypole, aimed at non-Maltese-speaking employees working in the company’s shops. This initiative highlights the private sector’s growing commitment to Maltese language learning.

The Department explained that the course is built around 17 practical sessions focused on real-life shop interactions. It prioritises speaking and listening skills while also covering basic grammar essentials to support communication.

It said that this initiative benefits everyone: customers can be served in Maltese, employees feel more integrated at work and in the community, and Maypole strengthens its ties with its clientele.

The public can support the initiative by showing appreciation for employees who make the effort to speak Maltese. It’s a process that takes time, but it brings great satisfaction and opens the door to new friendships, the Department said.

The University said this course reflects its ongoing commitment to work closely with industry and society, ensuring that its teaching remains relevant and responsive to evolving linguistic needs.

Twenty years ago, the Department of Maltese introduced courses in Maltese as a Foreign Language. The courses started with just a few students. Over time, the numbers continued to grow so much that this year more than 800 people are studying Maltese as a Foreign Language – some in a general context and others in specialised areas, such as Maltese for the health sector.

During the launch of the course, Mr Bastjan Debono, Director of Maypole, said, “from now onward, we’ll be able to serve our clients from A to Z, because we’re starting to provide training to our foreign employees so they can learn Maltese and better integrate with our clientele. In this way, we continue to uphold quality and service with a smile.”

Prof. Simon Fabri, Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, remarked, “As a University, we take great pride in this collaborative initiative between Maypole and the Department of Maltese, which is providing language training to the foreign employees working at Maypole.”