FREPA in Malta

FREPA overview

What is it about? It is about a comprehensive description as well as the concrete implementation of plurilingual and intercultural competences and resources which can be best developed in teaching through so-called pluralistic approaches. Consequently FREPA contributes significantly to the attainment of the educative goals suggested by the Council of Europe in the domains of languages and cultures.

What are pluralistic approaches? The term Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures refers to didactic approaches which involve the use of several (or at least more than one) varieties of languages or cultures simultaneously during the teaching process. This is to be contrasted with… more.

Who should know about FREPA? Teachers of all subjects with an interest in plurilingual and intercultural education, Teacher trainers, Decision-makers, Curriculum and programme designers, Textbook writers.

FREPA offers:
• a systematic description of competences and resources (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) which should be developed within the perspective of a plurilingual and intercultural education... more
• a database providing online teaching materials
• an online training kit for teacher training (initial or in service)

Necessities and possibilities for FREPA in Malta

The linguistic context in Malta is one of nation-wide bilinguism involving Maltese and English. However Malta is also experiencing an increasing awareness of linguistic and cultural differences resulting mainly through an increased worldwide mobility for work or pleasure. The phenomenon of illegal immigration has also led to additional contact between the foreign and the local population, so that in recent years more school populations have been experiencing increasing language and cultural diversity.
The Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures (FREPA) is an essential tool for the creation of teaching programmes engaging a plurilingual and intercultural approach and can be very important for the development of an integrated linguistic curriculum in Maltese schools, especially in the earlier, primary years. Language teaching specialists in Malta who wish to foster plurilinguism and intercultural competence will find many benefits in FREPA. This far-reaching tool aims to establish affinities between languages and language varieties that a learner knows or is learning and complements other instruments such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the European Language Portfolio.