Maltese language teacher proving elusive to EU

All official languages of the EU are being advertised for the forthcoming summer language courses organised by EU institutions but the teaching of the Maltese language to EU employees is at risk as it depends on finding a teacher.

Alternattiva Demokratika's candidate for the European parliament Arnold Cassola said the Professional Training Services of the European institutions in Brussels were jointly organising intensive summer courses for interested EU employees but the Maltese was the only language being advertised subject to the availability of a Maltese teacher.

Prof. Cassola, who is the secretary general of the European Greens, said that with regard to linguistic matters, Malta was becoming the laughing stock of the EU.

"Our government has to wake up, shrug off its complacent and fatalistic attitude, be pro-active and immediately encourage any Maltese qualified teacher to take up the summer post offered by the EU Commission in Brussels," Prof. Cassola said.

The issue at stake was not only linguistic but mainly political. A country that does not respect the language of its people will, in turn, end up not being respected at all by other countries, Prof. Cassola added.