Embracing diversity: My Erasmus+ experience in Malta - by Ingrid Lechner
These two quotes greeted Eva and me at the entrance of the Executive Training Institute (ETI) in Malta, setting the tone for the teacher training courses we were about to attend. These words also perfectly echo our aspirations for this stay in Malta – committing ourselves to staying mentally agile, embracing diverse cultural vibes, celebrating English as a unifying language…
Anticipating a jam-packed programme with formal morning classes and opportunities for social interaction and cultural tours in the afternoon, we had opted for an early arrival. Our intention was to get accustomed to the rhythm of life and to independently discover facets of the captivating islands on the weekend before the courses started.
On Saturday we checked out our immediate surroundings and the buzzing town of Saint Julian’s before we ventured to more distant places in Northwest Malta, including Golden Beach.
The next day, as temperatures soared to a sizzling 43 degrees Celsius, our adventurous spirit got a bit of a slowdown. However, the blazing heat could not stop us from exploring Gozo, an island brimming with its own cultural heritage. Among the treasures we encountered, the Cittadella in Victoria (Rabat) left the deepest mark on me. It felt like I'd stepped into a completely different world and centuries back in time. After a refreshing drink at the piazza San Gorg we sought solace from the heat in the crystal-clear waters of Xlendi beach. Swimming there was nothing short of wonderful!
On Monday morning, our courses were set to kick off. Eva and I had picked different ones to maximise the outcome by exchanging what we have learned. My course “Embracing neurodiversity – Special education needs (SEN)” was all about creating a more inclusive environment both in and out of the classroom.
Our trainer Josie surprised us - a diverse group of teachers hailing from Hungary, Italy, France, the Czech Republic and me as the only Austrian - with an engaging ice-breaker activity involving dance and mingling. Throughout the week she guided us through a varied, nicely paced programme. As an experienced teacher and as a parent of an adoptive child with specific learning differences, she prompted us to examine our topic from both an educational and familial perspective.
Input sessions to understand the traits of the most common conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties were alternated with pair and group activities that fostered eager discussions of our pedagogical experiences, approaches, methodologies and techniques. I particularly enjoyed the cooperative learning strategies presented to us and I am excited to incorporate more of them in my own classes. We also explored how digital media can be used to facilitate the learning process.
The essence of my learning on this topic is in brief: Neurodivergence is not a disability; rather, it’s a unique way the brain functions. It entails different strengths and challenges compared to neurotypical individuals. While it can present significant obstacles, especially in a school context, it also offers distinctive abilities that enable individuals to approach problems from an exceptional standpoint. My role as an educator is to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach, to remain mindful and responsive to learners' needs, and to continuously emphasize their strengths.
After the classes that lasted till half past two, we usually had three hours of free time before the cultural activities started. Two highlights of the programme were the guided tours through stunning Valletta and Mdina.
Mario, our knowledgable guide, gave us a clear overview of the history of Malta. But not only that! In his captivating stories he brought Saint Paul’s journey to Malta to life and made us follow the footsteps of the Knights Hospitaller. He pointed out many architectural details that would have gone unnoticed by me. I could have listened to him for much longer. However, the chance to talk about our impressions with fellow participants in a relaxed atmosphere after the guided tour was equally enjoyable. The following photo captures us with our teacher colleagues and newfound friends Andi (pronounced ‘Ondi’), Judit and Dóri from Hungary. It was at this very table that we hatched plans for future meetings. 😊
Throughout our stay, we English teachers had our antennas up for the way the Maltese speak and for relicts of the British reign. The rich blend of languages is fascinating and apparently the local population can switch effortlessly from Maltese to English and back, even within the same sentence. Given Malta's 150+ years under British rule, it's no surprise that British influences persist in various other aspects of contemporary life. Driving on the left is an obvious clue but there are many more. While wandering the streets, we came across shops and cafés with British names and we were charmed to spot those vintage red British phone booths as well as classic black litter boxes. The British legacy is also evident in the industrial-style architecture of Valletta Food Market ("Is-Suq Tal-Belt").
Inside the market you can find a wide variety of foods, a true feast for the senses and evidence of Malta’s rich and diverse heritage. Eva and I shared a traditional Ftira, a ring-shaped, rustic Maltese bread filled with tuna, tomatoes, basil, olives and herbs.
(The name commemorates the victory of the Knights over the Ottoman Turks.)
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