Guided Local Experiences
Module Description
This module provides optional guided experiential learning activities designed to bring content to life. Activities include a village festa visit or cultural event, a Maltese food and culinary culture experience, a historical walking tour (Valletta, Mdina, or the Three Cities), and informal social activities such as coffee meetups, beach walks, or team lunches. Learners complete structured observation tasks during each activity to practise noticing and recording cultural practices in a supported environment.
Entry Requirement
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry requirements:
(a) Status: Foreigners residing in or planning to reside in Malta, with a valid or pending residence permit, or in the process of applying for a Single Permit or other relevant permit under Maltese and EU law.
(b) Language: Functional proficiency in English since all instruction is delivered in English. No formal English language qualification is required, but applicants are expected to follow and participate in English-medium instruction.
(c) Qualifications: No prior formal qualifications are required. The award is open to adults from all educational backgrounds.
(d) Digital Competences: Basic ability to use a smartphone or computer for communication purposes (e.g., email, messaging, accessing online resources) is desirable but not mandatory. Learners requiring additional digital support will be accommodated.
No prior knowledge of Maltese language, law or culture is assumed or required.
Target Audience
- This award targets foreign individuals who would like to undergo a cultural integration short course.
Career Paths
- This award does not lead to a warranted profession or regulated occupation. It is designed to support the social, civic and professional integration of foreigners residing in or relocating to Malta, and is directly relevant to occupations and roles in which cultural competence, workplace integration and civic awareness are valued. These include, but are not limited to: administrative roles in public and private sector entities employing international staff; community liaison and integration support roles; roles within NGOs, social services and community organisations working with migrant populations; hospitality, tourism and customer-facing roles requiring intercultural communication skills. The award is complementary to, but does not replace, any specific National Occupational Standard (NOS) currently listed on the Malta Qualifications Database (MQD). No specific NOS directly maps to the cultural integration domain at this level; however, the award aligns with the spirit of the European Key Competences framework, particularly in the areas of civic competence, cultural awareness, and personal, social and learning-to-learn competence.
Assessment
Module 7 is assessed through participation in guided cultural and community activities carried out during the module. The recommended assessment tasks are:
- Observation Worksheets (40%): Learners complete a structured worksheet for each guided activity, recording specific cultural observations using tutor-provided prompts. Assessed on completeness and accuracy of observations.
- Activity Reflection Template (40%): Learners complete a tutor-provided template for one chosen activity (3-5 sentences), describing what they observed and stating one thing that was new to them. Assessed on completeness and basic accuracy.
- Participation (20%): Assessed by the tutor and/or activity leader on active and respectful engagement with all guided activities.
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Participate in guided cultural activities under tutor or activity leader supervision, following instructions for safe and respectful engagement.
- Complete structured observation tasks during guided outings using a provided activity worksheet.
- Share simple observations from cultural activities in a tutor-led group debrief, contributing at least one observation per activity.
Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic factual information about the historical and cultural significance of at least two Maltese sites or traditions visited during guided activities.
- Outline key facts about Maltese food culture: traditional dishes, dining customs, and the social role of food in Maltese life.
- Describe basic facts about the history and cultural significance of Valletta as the EU Capital of Culture and Malta’s capital city.
- Explain simple facts about Maltese folk traditions, including the role of the banda (brass band) and the patron saint festa.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Use a provided observation worksheet to record at least three specific cultural observations from a guided activity, with brief descriptions.
- Identify and name at least two traditional Maltese foods or dishes from a food experience activity, using a provided food guide.
Follow a guided walking tour route and note down three facts about the sites visited using a provided activity card.