Malta: Society, Culture, and Identity
Module Description
This module introduces learners to the main social, cultural, and historical features of Malta. It covers Malta’s Mediterranean identity, key historical periods, and the influence of history and tradition everyday life in Malta today. Learners explore differences between urban, coastal, and village life, as well as the role of family, community, and religion within Maltese society. The module also introduces Malta’s multicultural environment and the importance of cultural awareness in daily and professional life.
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 2 is assessed through: ongoing participation and completion of simple practical activities related to Maltese society, culture and everyday life. Assessment tasks may include map activities, short labelling exercises, group discussions and simple observations related to the learner’s local area in Malta. Assessment focuses on participation, completion of tasks and basic understanding of module content and vocabulary.
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Participate in guided activities related to Maltese society, culture and everyday life.
- Use provided materials to complete simple structured tasks with tutor support where needed.
- Share observations and experiences respectfully during group discussions and activities about differences between Malta and their home country.
Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Describe basic geographic facts about Malta: its location in the Mediterranean, its size, the main islands (Malta, Gozo, Comino), and key towns.
- Familiarise oneself with key historical periods that shape modern Malta: The Knights of St John, British rule, independence in 1964, and EU accession in 2004.
- Discuss basic aspects about Maltese social structures: the importance of family, community ties, village identity, and the role of the Catholic Church.
- Explain the difference between urban areas (Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s), coastal towns, and traditional villages (ir-raħal).
- Comprehend facts about Malta’s growing multiculturalism and the presence of international communities.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Use a provided map to identify Malta’s main geographic features and locate key towns relevant to daily life.
- Name and briefly describe at least three key historical events that shaped modern Maltese society, using class notes.
- Follow a simple factsheet to describe the main differences between village, coastal, and urban life in Malta.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Identify on a map where they live in Malta and recognise nearby services and landmarks relevant to daily life.
- Describe simple examples of how Maltese family, social, and community values may affect everyday interactions
- Name and describe the role of at least one organisation or service that supports foreigners in Malta.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Use basic digital tools such as Google Maps to locate their home address and nearby services in Malta.
- Access online public and practical information (e.g. www.gov.mt) relevant to daily life in Malta.
Use the VLE to access the module factsheet and submit the module task.