University of Malta
Faculty of Education
Guidelines for Maltese and English Proficiency Tests as an Entry Requirement for the Master in
Teaching & Learning (MTL)
1. The Faculty of Education requires applicants for the Master in Teaching & Learning (MTL) to
hold a pass in the Faculty of Education’s Maltese and English Proficiency Tests, in both the
written and oral papers;
2. The Faculty of Education is responsible for the administration and evaluation of the
Proficiency Test, through the Proficiency Test Board of Examiners, as appointed by Senate
on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Education;
3. The Proficiency Tests will be held against payment, as determined by University;
4. Candidates holding a BA/BA(Hons) in Maltese will be exempt from sitting for the Maltese
Proficiency Test, whilst those holding a BA/BA(Hons) in English will be exempt from sitting
for the English Proficiency Test;
5. The Proficiency Tests will consist of two written papers and an oral examination for
Maltese, and two written papers and an oral examination for English. The Maltese and
English Proficiency Tests for prospective candidates for the MTL at Primary Level will be
different to those for prospective candidates for the MTL at Secondary Level; a candidate
who is successful in the Proficiency Test for Primary level will be allowed to apply for an
MTL course at Secondary Level, but a ‘Pass’ in the Proficiency Test for Secondary Level is
not accepted for entry to the MTL at Primary level;
6. The Written Papers of the Proficiency Test will take place twice a year: the first session
between February and April; and the second session in June. Only candidates who are in
possession of a Pass in the Written Proficiency Tests and have applied for the MTL may sit
for the Oral Test; the Oral Test in Maltese and the Oral Test in English will take place once
the second session of the Written Proficiency Tests is completed;
7. Results of the Proficiency Test will be ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’, according to criteria established by the
Faculty (see Appendix). Results will be published at the Faculty of Education, University of
Malta and at the Gozo Campus;
8. The Proficiency Test ‘Pass’ result will remain valid for a period of three years from the date
of publication of the results. Unsuccessful candidates may sit for the Proficiency Test at the
next or any other session;
9. There will be no revision of paper for the Oral Test;
10. Past papers of the Proficiency Test will not be published.
11. The components of the Maltese and English Proficiency Tests are shown in the following
pages.
APPENDIX
Test miktub ta’ Profiċjenza fil-Malti għall-għalliema prospettivi tal-Primarja
Karta A
It-tul tal-eżami: Siegħa u nofs
Eżerċizzju A
(100 marka)
‘Liema hi t-tweġiba
t-tajba’ (multiple
choice)
Ħamsin mistoqsija dwar lortografija, il-grammatika,
il-punteġġjatura u
espressjonijiet idjomatiċi.
Il-kandidati huma
mistennija li juru
għarfien tar-regoli
attwali tal-ortografija,
ħakma tal-istrutturi
grammatikali, ittħaddim bil-għaqal talpunteġġjatura u
għarfien/padrunanza
tal-idjoma Maltija.
Għaxar sentenzi li jkun
fihom żball ortografiku,
grammatikali jew
idjomatiku u l-kandidati
huma mitluba li
jidentifikaw l-iżball u
jispjegaw għaliex huwa
żball u kif għandha tinkiteb
korrettament is-sentenza.
Il-kandidati huma
mistennija li juru l-ħila
li jispjegaw żball filkitba u jispjegawh
skont ir-regoli tal-Malti.
(50 mistoqsija, b’2
marki kull waħda)
Eżerċizzju B
(100 marka)
‘Sib l-iżball u
spjegah’
Karta B
It-tul tal-eżami: Siegħa u nofs
Eżerċizzju A
(100 marka)
Eżerċizzju B
(100 marka)
Mistoqsijijiet dwar
silta.
Il-kandidati huma mistennija li juru l-ħila li jaqraw u
jifhmu test bil-Malti u jwieġbu mistoqsijiet dwaru.
Kitba ta’ 300 kelma
dwar suġġett
mogħti milleżaminatur.
Il-kandidati huma mistennija li juru l-ħila li japplikaw
ir-regoli tal-ortografija fil-kitba; li jiktbu mingħajr
żbalji grammatikali; li jkollhom pussess ta’
vokabolarju wiesa’; kitba koerenti skont is-suġġett
mogħti u tħaddim korrett tal-idjoma Maltija.
Written English proficiency test for prospective Primary school teachers
Written Paper I
One and a half hours
Section A
(100 marks)
Section B
(100 marks)
Completing
objective type
items
(25 items of 4
marks each)
25 objective type items
(such as multiple
choice, cloze, true or
false) on syntax,
grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
Candidates are to complete
the objective type items to
demonstrate proficiency in
English syntax, grammar,
spelling and punctuation.
Identify, explain
and correct errors
in 10 sentences.
10 sentences including
language or
grammatical errors.
Candidates demonstrate
proficiency in identifying
errors in sentences,
explaining why they are
incorrect and then writing
the correct version.
(10 items of 10
marks each)
Written Paper II
One and a half hours
Section A
(100 marks)
Comprehension
text
Candidates are to demonstrate understanding of the
text through reading and then answering questions in
writing.
Section B
(100 marks)
Writing an
expository essay of
300 words about a
given situation,
theme or subject.
Candidates are to demonstrate proficiency in English
writing: sequence of ideas, how writing is organized,
coherence within the text, use of expressions
meaningfully, spelling, grammar and syntax, use of
cohesive devices, punctuation, ability to write for a
given audience.
Eżami Orali ta’ Profiċjenza fil-Malti għall-Għalliema Prospettivi tal-Primarja
L-Orali
It-tul tal-eżami: 15-20 minuta
Taħriġ A
(10 marki)
Taħriġ B
(20 marki)
Taħriġ Ċ
(50 marka)
Taħriġ D
(20 marka)
Jaqraw silta ta’ madwar 50 kelma b’vuċi Il-ħila li jaqraw b’mod li
għolja.
jinftiehem u skont is-sens tassilta.
Iwieġbu madwar 4 mistoqsijiet bil-Malti
dwar il-ħajja ta’ kuljum.
L-użu ta’ intonazzjoni u
vokabolarju adatt.
Jifhmu u jwieġbu mistoqsijiet bil-Malti
dwar l-esperjenza tagħhom fil-qasam
edukattiv.
Iwieġbu fit-tul billi jispjegaw u
jagħtu eżempji biex jirfdu lopinjonijiet tagħhom.
Jagħmlu monologu ta’ madwar minuta
minn għażla ta’ suġġetti mogħtija
b’rabta mal-edukazzjoni.
Jibnu u jsostnu argument dwar
is-suġġett magħżul għal minuta,
mingħajr waqfien li jtellef issens.
English oral proficiency test for prospective Primary school teachers
One and half hours
Excersise A
Reading aloud
Candidates are given a text (of
ca. 50 words) to read aloud to
demonstrate interaction with
text, satisfactory rhythm,
intonation, and pronunciation.
Interview: 4 questions about a general
topic
Candidates are to demonstrate
skill in interpersonal/two-way
communication with
interviewer/s.
(10 marks)
Excersise B
(20 marks)
Fluency, coherence,
vocabulary, ease of expression
will be assessed.
Excersise C
(50 marks)
Interview: 4 questions about an
educational topic
Candidates are to demonstrate
fluency, coherence,
vocabulary, and ease of
expression.
The ability to present
arguments and uphold their
opinions with coherent
reasons is assessed.
Excerise D
(20 marks)
Presentational speaking or monologue
(non-interactive and one-way)
Candidates are to exhibit the
ability to hold a monologue or
use presentational speaking
skills for one minute on a given
topic.
Test miktub ta’ Profiċjenza fil-Malti għall-għalliema prospettivi tas-Sekondarja
Karta A
It-tul tal-eżami: Ħamsa u ergħin minuta
Eżerċizzju A
(100 marka)
‘Liema hi t-tweġiba ttajba’ (multiple choice)
(25 mistoqsija, b’4
marki kull waħda)
Ħamsa u għoxrin
mistoqsija dwar lortografija, ilgrammatika, ilpunteġġjatura u
espressjonijiet
idjomatiċi.
Il-kandidati huma
mistennija li juru
għarfien tar-regoli
attwali tal-ortografija,
ħakma tal-istrutturi
grammatikali, ittħaddim bil-għaqal talpunteġġjatura u
għarfien/padrunanza
tal-idjoma Maltija.
Karta B
It-tul tal-eżami: Siegħa u nofs
Eżerċizzju A
(100 marka)
Kitba ta’ natura opinjonistika
ta’ madwar 200 kelma dwar
tema mill-ħajja ta’ kuljum.
Il-kandidati huma mistennija li:
juru l-ħila li japplikaw ir-regoli talortografija fil-kitba;
jiktbu mingħajr żbalji grammatikali;
ikollhom pussess ta’ vokabolarju wiesa’;
Eżerċizzju B
(100 marka)
Kitba formali ta’ madwar 200
kelma dwar suġġett mogħti
mill-eżaminatur.
jippreżentaw kitba koerenti skont issuġġett mogħti;
jagħmlu distinzjoni fl-istil bejn kitba ta’
natura opinjonistika u kitba ta’ natura
formali.
Written English proficiency test for prospective Secondary school teachers
Paper A
Duration of test: 45 minutes
Exercise A
(100 marks)
Identify and correct the mistakes
25 questions of 4 marks each
Candidates are expected to show
their knowledge of English by
correctly identifying and correcting
mistakes in 25 items focussing on
accuracy and appropriacy of
language,
including
grammar,
vocabulary, syntax, spelling, and
punctuation.
Paper B
Duration of test: One and a half hours
Exercise A
(100 marks)
Exercise B
(100 marks)
A reading comprehension task
based on a non-fictional, general
interest text
Candidates will be tested on their ability
to understand the purpose of the text as
a whole, as well as at paragraph,
sentence, and word level.
A writing task of around 300
words.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate:
Candidates will be tested on their
ability to write ONE of the
following: (i) a reflective piece in
which they express their opinion
and / or feelings about a topic
related to education; or (ii) a
formal communication on a
stipulated topic and to a
stipulated audience.
accuracy and appropriacy of language
use,
coherence,
a wide range of syntax, grammar, and
vocabulary.
accurate punctuation
Eżami Orali ta’ Profiċjenza fil-Malti għall-Għalliema Prospettivi tas-Sekondarja
L-Orali
It-tul tal-eżami: 15-20 minuta
Taħriġ A
(10 marki)
Taħriġ B
(20 marka)
Taħriġ Ċ
(50 marka)
Taħriġ D
(20 marka)
Jaqraw silta ta’ madwar 50
kelma b’vuċi għolja.
Il-ħila li jaqraw b’mod li jinftiehem u
skont is-sens tas-silta.
Iwieġbu madwar 4 mistoqsijiet
bil-Malti dwar il-ħajja ta’
kuljum.
L-użu ta’ intonazzjoni u vokabolarju adatt.
Jifhmu u jwieġbu mistoqsijiet
bil-Malti dwar l-esperjenza
tagħhom fil-qasam edukattiv.
Iwieġbu fit-tul billi jispjegaw u jagħtu
eżempji biex jirfdu l-opinjonijiet
tagħhom.
Jagħmlu monologu ta’ madwar
minuta minn għażla ta’ suġġetti
mogħtija b’rabta maledukazzjoni.
Jibnu u jsostnu argument dwar is-suġġett
magħżul għal minuta, mingħajr waqfien li
jtellef is-sens.
English Oral Proficiency Test for Prospective Secondary School Teachers
Oral
Duration of test: 15-20 minutes
Excersise A
(20 marks)
Understand and answer
questions in English about
everyday situations
.
Excersise B
(20 marks)
Excersise C
(30 marks)
Excersise C
(30 marks)
Understand and answer
general questions in English
about their chosen subject of
study in the MTL
Speak in the form of a
sustained monologue for about
a minute on a subject from a
list of topics offered by the
examiners
Compare, contrast, or
speculate about, one or two
pictures provided by the
examiners
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a
wide range of grammatical forms and
vocabulary, respond for a suitable length,
with the appropriate pronunciation,
intonation and stress, according to the
context.