ESU Malta Newsletter - June 2012

ESU Malta Newsletter

As the scholastic year approaches its end, ESU Malta proudly wraps up another broad and successful year of educational programmes run in schools all over Malta. We hope you enjoy this newsletter which is full of updates regarding the main events and highlights of the past few months as well as those that are still upcoming. 

Annual General Meeting 2012

 

ESU Malta's AGM was held on the 26th April at ESU offices at Valley Road, Msida. Committee members, volunteers and partners met to discuss and evaluate the past year of activities whilst also casting an eye towards the future.  
 
The three main educational programmes, namely the Arm of Support, Public Speaking and Debating Programmes will all be restructured in the coming year in order to increase impact and manage our limited resources better. All those present agreed that the financial stability of the ESU is the main current concern. Any sponsorships or financial contributions in this regard are greatly appreciated.
 
Click here to read the ESU Malta Chairman's report for 2011. 

ESU Debating Competition Finals 2012

'This house believes that the Internet is the greatest tool for democratisation', was the motion discussed during ESU's Sixth Form Inter-Schools Debating Competition Finals held in Parliament on the 27th April 2012.
 
After 5 months of regular training, two teams of sixth formers, one
from St. Edward's College made up of Aleksandra Cegla, Janet Fenech and Mila Christova, and the other from St. Aloysius College made up of Yanika Borg, Gian Luca Busuttil and Adrian Micallef, engaged in a lively debate after being cordially welcomed to Parliament by MPs the Hon Dr. Owen Bonnici and the Hon Mr. Karl Gouder.  
 
Both members of Parliament encouraged the participants to hone their debating skills as the ability to voice their opinion and effectively negotiate with others is an invaluable one. Whilst serious study is important, complementary skills such as persuasive public speaking and presentation skills are essentially what make individuals stand out in a society that is based on instant communication and impact value.
 
Both teams performed very well; the jury awarded first place to St. Edward's.
 
The Committee Room at the House of Representatives was made available for the debate by the Speaker, the Honourable Dr. Michael Frendo. Prizes were kindly sponsored by Agenda Bookshops.
 
Read more about the ESU Debating Finals on the ESU web site.  

International Public Speaking Competition - London, May 2012

Martha Zammit, from St. Martin's College, the winner of the ESU
Malta Inter-School Sixth Form Public Speaking Competition held on the 29th February, represented Malta at ESU's International Public Speaking Competition in London, competing against winners of ESU National Competitions from 51 countries.
 
This was clearly a formative experience for Martha, who has shared her experience of her participation on the ESU Malta web site. 
 
This will surely encourage participation in the next round of national competition which will be held in the next scholastic year. 

Arm of Support 2011-2012

   

As you will know from previous communications, the Arm of Support programme is one of the most important run by ESU Malta. In this programme young children, mainly at kindergarten age, are exposed to English in a play scenario to prepare them for further exposure to the language.
  
This programme, which has run on a pilot project, is about to be expanded deepening the exposure to children across more age groups.  As a result, rather than loosing the children as they progress into old classes, we will continue to work with the children as they grow.  The extent of our expansion is limited only by funds and our search for sources of funding for this programme have been stepped up.  We are seeking a corporate Title Sponsor to support this very worthy project.

 
As we wrap up the Arm of Support programme for another scholastic year, our dedicated volunteers write in to tell us about their experience working with the current cohort of children.  
 
More news about the expansion of the Arm of Support Project will be available soon. Meanwhile anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring the programme should write to info@esumalta.org. 

Fun with English 
Kidstart Summer School 2012

 

This Summer ESU Malta embarks on a new and exciting project again exposing children to the English language. 

In collaboration with Kidstart Malta, we will be offering interactive
play sessions as part of this popular Summer School's programme. Targeting children between 4 - 11 years of age, the sessions will expose children to the English language in a way that is appealing and innovative. Read more about the participation of ESU Malta in the Kidstart programme by clicking here.
 

Prresentation to Standing Committee on Language Policy 
ESU Malta had the opportunity last week to present the case for strengthening English language skills in the Maltese Islands to the Standing Committee on Language Policy appointed by the Minister of Education.

While acknowledging the importance of Maltese, it is clear that individuals and society in general will benefit economically, socially and culturally through improving their English language skills.  Put bluntly "English pays".

ESU had the opportunity to bring forth the economic arguments for strengthening English at a time when, after centuries of benefiting from this competitive advantage, all other countries are improving their own capabilities in this area. Let's keep ahead.

Reception at the British High Commission  
Thursday 12th July 2012

H.E. Ms Louise Stanton, the British High Commissioner, has once again kindly extended an invitation to members of ESU Malta to a reception at her residence, Villa
de Giorgio, San Pawl tat-Targa, Naxxar.   The event will be held on Thursday the 12th July 2012 between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.   

This activity provides an opportunity for members to meet the Commissioner as well as a chance to exchange news and views.  
 
Invitations will be sent out by the High Commission only to Life Members and Annual Members whose subscriptions are fully paid up.   Anyone who has not yet renewed their membership for this year should do so immediately. Please note that due to a limitation on numbers, the invitations are for members only.  Spouses and partners will also be invited where these are also members.