Social Integration and Community Participation
Module Description
This module introduces learners to everyday social norms, community life, and social participation in Malta. It explores common expectations related to personal space, greetings, queuing, punctuality, hygiene in shared spaces, dining etiquette, beach and gym behaviour, waste separation, and environmental responsibility. Learners are also introduced to Maltese community traditions, local events, and opportunities for social participation, including volunteering, clubs, sport, and community activities. The module encourages respectful engagement with both Maltese and international communities and aims to equip learners with the basic practical rules needed to behave appropriately in Maltese public and social settings, thus building confidence and positive social connections in Malta.
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 6 is assessed through practical activities and participation in guided social and community-based exercises carried out during the module. Assessment methods may include short scenario-based quizzes related to social norms and community participation in Malta, practical activities related to everyday public behaviour, etiquette and waste separation, and guided group discussions or role-play activities based on common social situations. The recommended assessment tasks of this module are:
- Etiquette Scenarios Quiz (60%): A 20-question VLE quiz presenting social situations in which learners select the correct behaviour from multiple choices. Learners may also complete short practical tasks related to community activities, respectful social interaction, and participation in everyday life in Malta, using their etiquette reference sheet and other provided materials. Assessment focuses on participation, completion of tasks, and basic understanding of the module content.
- Waste Sorting Task (40%): Learners complete a printed or digital worksheet correctly categorising 10 common household items into the correct Maltese waste streams.
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Participate appropriately in guided social and community activities related to everyday life in Malta.
- Use provided materials and community resources to identify opportunities for social and community participation in Malta.
- Participate in guided group activities and discussions related to social interaction, community life, and respectful behaviour in Maltese social settings.
- Use the module etiquette reference sheet to complete structured tasks on appropriate social behaviour.
Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Outline common European social norms and expectations in Malta, including personal space, greetings, and respectful social interaction and appropriate behaviour in social settings and communities.
- Gain familiarity with rules and expectations around queuing, punctuality, hygiene and cleanliness, waste separation and environmental responsibilities, and courtesy in shared public spaces: workplaces, gyms, public transport, beaches, and residential areas.
- Comprehend basic dining etiquette: table manners, restaurant behaviour, and common Maltese mealtime customs.
- Describe basic facts about community life in Malta, including local traditions, festas, and social activities.
- Identify common opportunities for social and community participation in Malta, including volunteering, clubs, sport, and community groups.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Use guided scenarios and class activities to identify appropriate, social behaviour in at least five common public situations in Malta.
- Apply basic practical rules related to shared public and community life in Malta, including cleanliness, waste separation, and behaviour in public spaces and social settings.
- Demonstrate appropriate greetings, introductions, and respectful interaction with a new person in a Maltese social setting using the module guide provided.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Discuss at least two examples of social etiquette and community norms in Malta that may differ from practices in their home country, using class materials.
- List the main items that go in each colour of waste bin in their local area in Malta.
- Write 2-3 sentences about the basic etiquette expectations relating to dining etiquette, public courtesy, and respectful behaviour, e.g. for a meal in a Maltese home or restaurant, using class notes.
- Identify local community activities, events, volunteering opportunities, or social groups relevant to their interests and daily life in Malta.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Access online public information related to local events, community activities and everyday life in Malta, e.g. the WasteServ Malta website (https://wasteserv.com.mt) to find the correct waste separation rules for their local area.
- Use the VLE to access the module materials and complete simple tasks.
- Use an online search tool to locate practical information such as finding about public events and community activities in their local area.