Jacqueline Żammit

University of Malta · Department of Languages and Humanities in Education

The perceptions and attitudes of educators towards multicultural education are strongly correlated to the manner in which multicultural education is applied. Previous research indicates that culture undeniably has an effect on education, nonetheless, education administrators may not have enough knowledge about multicultural education practices. The...

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted millions of people's lives around the world. This included the lives of teachers and learners in educational institutions because schools were thought to be hotbeds of infection and shutting them down between March and June 2020 was therefore deemed to be inevitable. Educational facilities, private tutoring,...

Despite increased interest in learning Maltese as a foreign language (MFL), there is a lack of research and large-scale studies on the acquisition of MFL. The research question of this study is: Can a pattern be observed over time in the acquisition of verbal tense/aspect by adult learners of Maltese as a foreign language? The aim of my research is...

This article considers the relevance of second language acquisition research for the development of pedagogical grammar. As an example it looks at the acquisition of verbal tense and aspect by intermediate-to-advanced level learners of Maltese, and more specifically the extent to which the perfett and imperfett verb forms are used by the learners w...

In my book review of "Language Learning of Adult Migrants in Europe," I explore the complex challenges and opportunities that adult migrants encounter in language acquisition. This book not only presents theoretical insights but also offers practical strategies, making it a useful resource for educators and researchers alike. I invite you to check...

As a scholar and educator working at the intersection of applied linguistics and educational technology, I was immediately drawn to AI in Language Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, edited by Fang Pan. My current research focuses on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning environments, and I have firsthand experience...

This book review provides an overview of "Learning Vocabulary in Another Language" by Nation (2022), highlighting its contributions to language acquisition. Nation's work focuses on strategies for acquiring vocabulary, integrating recent research and practical insights. The book emphasises the importance of vocabulary alongside grammar, defining it...

Second language acquisition is a complex process that involves numerous challenges and is influenced by various factors, including linguistic competence and classroom settings. This study examines the concerns and emotions experienced by 43 adult international students learning Maltese as a second language. By employing a mixed-methods approach, th...

The rapid advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed language teaching methodologies. This study investigates the integration of digital tools to enhance multicultural competence in Maltese language learning environments, focusing on fostering cultural awareness and inclusivity. This research focuses on developing and implement...

Game-based learning has been gaining popularity as a pedagogical approach in higher education. This study aimed to investigate the impact and effectiveness of game-based learning in higher education, specifically focusing on the interactive game The Mdina Castle’s Treasure Quest for international adult learners’ acquisition of Maltese prepositions....

Jacqueline Bhabha's Child Migration and Human Rights in a Global Age is an essential and groundbreaking exploration of the complex issues surrounding child migration in today's interconnected world. As a professor at Harvard University, Bhabha leverages her extensive expertise in human rights to provide a comprehensive and poignant analysis of the...

Notwithstanding the considerable amount of research conducted in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) (a list of abbreviations is provided at the end of paper), our understanding of the cognitive processes that occur in the adult brain during the learning of a second language (L2) remains limited. This study investigates the potential dev...

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a necessary transition to online learning. This study aimed to ascertain the distinct factors that contribute to the preference for online learning among a cohort of 42 adult learners who are studying Maltese as a second language. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews that included open-e...

This chapter shows the importance of research in applied linguistics. The chapter defines applied linguistics and explains the crucial function of research in this field. This defines teaching methods, laws, and interpretations for acquiring a language through definition and description. It consists of a section that discusses research methodologie...

This study examines the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in language learning , specifically for the Maltese language. Despite the popularity and advancement of VR, its use in teaching minor languages like Maltese has not been extensively explored. The concern is that the lack of technological resources may lead to the extinction of the...

The Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) language model developed by OpenAI. It employs advanced deep-learning algorithms to generate text that mimics human language. ChatGPT, launched on November 30, 2022, has rapidly gained widespread recognition. Its influence on the future of techno...

Despite considerable studies in the field of second language acquisition (SLA), the precise cognitive processes occurring in an adult’s mind during second language (L2) learning remain elusive. This study investigates the intricate process of adult’s SLA, specifically focusing on Maltese. Grounded in chaos/complexity theory (C/CT), the research exp...

The rapid incorporation of digital technologies in formal education has led to significant transformations, albeit not always yielding the anticipated productivity. This study investigates the attitudinal changes towards an online Maltese lexicon, Ġabra, among 46 adult learners of Maltese as a foreign language. By utilising a composite analytical m...

Recent evidence suggests that right-brain practices play an important role in language learning. However, little is known about the ways in which visual culture can be used to stimulate these practices and increase language knowledge retention in adult second language learners. This study explores the role of right-brain processes through visual cu...

The language model, Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), which is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by OpenAI, employs deep learning algorithms to generate human-like text. Despite its recent popularity, ChatGPT is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of technology and AI....

Educational VR technology Second language acquisition VR apps for language learning An immersive VR environment Maltese as a second language A B S T R A C T Virtual Reality (VR) has gained popularity in education, but its potential in language learning, specifically for teaching a minor language like Maltese, has been understudied. To address this...

Although Virtual Reality (VR) technology is becoming increasingly popular, little is known about the prospect of using VR tools for educational purposes in the context of teaching Maltese. The current study used a mixed research methodology to explore this issue. The qualitative approach and a focus group technique were applied to collect data from...

The EULALIA (Enhancing University Language courses with an App powered by game-based learning and tangible user interface activities) project aimed to enhance the learning methodologies of four university language courses for Erasmus students in Italy, Malta, Poland and Spain by developing innovative and effective learning tools based on mobile and...

With the advancement of educational technologies, computer-assisted language learning (CALL) tools, like online dictionaries, are essential for acquiring a second language, especially new vocabulary. There has been no empirical focus on the usage of Ġabra online dictionary in learning Maltese, with a specific focus on international adults learning...

The pedagogy of language has since time immemorial majored in the use of pens and other printed materials. However, there occurred a separation of the teaching culture into two major categories; the “big C” and “little c”, meaning high and popular culture. Over the years, advancements in various pedagogical techniques have made this boundary separa...

Despite the increased interest in learning Maltese as a second language (MSL), there is a lack of research and large-scale studies on MSL, particularly on the best data collecting research method for identifying the learning patterns of adult MSL learners. Without a better understanding of such patterns, it is hard to ascertain whether the learners...

Despite extensive research in second language acquisition (SLA), we are still a long way from understanding what exactly happens in the adult's mind while learning a second language (L2). This study explores whether a learning pattern could be established over time in 35 adults learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), especially with respect to...

Despite extensive research in second language acquisition (SLA), we are still a long way from understanding what exactly happens in the adult’s mind while learning a second language (L2). This study explores whether a learning pattern could be established over time in 35 adults learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), especially with respect to...

Adult brains are more implicit, lack neuroplasticity and hence, are less capable of change and new learning than children, who have a sponge-like approach to acquiring knowledge and information, making learning a second language (L2) more challenging in adulthood. In the digital era, game and mobile-based learning are fundamental tools for assistin...

Adult learners experience challenges when learning a second language (L2), and educators must think of potential teaching strategies to overcome these challenges. This study explores the learning challenges that adult participants experienced while learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), including some of the teaching strategies which they ind...

This study sought to understand how teachers of Maltese as a foreign language (MFL) develop intercultural capabilities by exploring the importance of intercultural competence (IC) to MFL teachers, the characteristics of interculturally competent MFL educators, and the ways in which educators develop IC. The study adopted the interpretivist paradigm...

F'dan l-artiklu ppubblikat mill-M.U.T. fil-ġurnal "Il-Ħsieb", ħarġa numru 2, f'paġni 12 u 13, Dr Jacqueline Żammit turi kemm ir-riċerka tabilħaqq toħloq għarfien ġdid hekk kif twieġeb għad-dubji u l-mistoqsijiet tagħna u fl-istess waqt, iġġegħelna nirriflettu, nistaqsu u niddubitaw miċ-ċertezzi tagħna, fost benefiċċji oħra, li huma kollha fatturi m...

Malta has currently attracted numerous non-natives who consider the island conducive for business, investment and work. To enhance their working and living experience in Malta, several foreigners are learning Maltese as a second language (ML2), which could be challenging to learn, especially its grammar, if second language (L2) learners do not know...

Learning a foreign language is complex and unpredictable. Furthermore, speaking different languages is becoming increasingly important in today’s globalized world. However, it requires several strategies to gain the best possible result. Relevant challenges could be related to memory, personality, culture shock, communicating with native speakers a...

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded online learning as an alternative to conventional classroom learning methods. The study’s aim was to explore the advantages and challenges of online learning as perceived by adult learners of Maltese as a second language. Data was collected from 35 adult participants using semi-structured interviews comprised of o...

This study sought to understand how teachers of Maltese as a foreign language (MFL) develop intercultural capabilities by exploring the importance of intercultural competence to MFL teachers, the characteristics of interculturally competent MFL educators, and how educators develop intercultural competence. The study adopted the interpretivist parad...

The main aim of this study was to explore the application of chaos/complexity theory in the learning of verbal tense and aspect in Maltese as a second language (MSL). Hence C/CT main characteristics were integrated to comprehend more what is happening in the learner's brain while learning the verbs of a second language (L2).<br