Multilingualism and the inclusion of migrant learners in Maltese schools

In Malta, as in several other Southern European countries, the migratory flows of recent years have led to a situation which has rendered schools much more multi-ethnic and multilingual than they ever were. The presence of migrant learners requires language policies as well as inclusive didactic measures that could lead to their inclusion while valuing their personal experiences. This would be of benefit for all learners, including those born and brought up in Malta. In this contribution Maltese schools are viewed in the light of some linguistic and social considerations that result from other contexts in the Mediterranean. We observe that the growing number of migrant learners has led to considerable efforts from the educational authorities in order to develop policies related to their integration and to the appreciation of their languages. However, more practical measures are required in our schools, both to raise awareness of the benefits that may result through the inclusion of migrant learners and to help educators address their needs professionally.