Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545556
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 26 JUNE 2026 NEWS THE University of Malta has launched two self-study online courses for Maltese as a foreign language, marking the first time structured independent digital learning programmes have been developed for the language. The initiative was formally introduced on 24 June 2026 at the University's Valletta Cam- pus by Rector Prof. Alfred Vel- la. The courses, Maltese for Beginners A0–A1 and A1–A2, were developed by educational platform Verbivore in collab- oration with the University's Department of Maltese. Designed for autonomous learning, the programmes combine lessons, exercises, games, interactive videos, au- dio recordings and visual ma- terials. Among the interactive elements are online games such as Tombla (Tombola) and In-Naffar (Scarecrow), which are already freely accessible to the public. According to the Univer- sity, the courses represent a significant step forward in the teaching of Maltese as a foreign language, addressing a long-standing gap in struc- tured, modern, and accessible learning resources. The plat- form is intended for learners studying at their own pace and incorporates gamification techniques to enhance engage- ment. The courses were spearhead- ed by educator Iona Douglas, who holds postgraduate quali- fications in translation and bi- lingual education and runs the digital language learning plat- form Verbivore. Although Brit- ish, Douglas has long-stand- ing personal ties to Malta and Gozo, where she has lived for several years. She initiated the project after identifying a lack of comprehensive self-study resources for Maltese. The development process be- gan in April 2025, when Doug- las approached the University's Department of Maltese with a proposal to create structured beginner-level courses using methodologies including CLIL (Content and Language In- tegrated Learning). A formal agreement between Verbivore and the University was signed in July 2025. Academic oversight for the project was led by Prof. George Farrugia, together with lectur- ers Paul Abdilla, Theresa Tab- one Abdilla, and Thomas Pace. Audio content in Maltese and English features voice work by actors Simone Spiteri and Mark Mifsud. The University said parts of the material will also be inte- grated into formal Maltese as a Foreign Language courses and made freely available through the department's online portal, malti.mt. Attendance at the launch event was limited, with partic- ipants required to register in advance due to restricted seat- ing. UOM launches first independent online courses for Maltese as a foreign language THE NGO Zminijietna has called on the Planning Author- ity (PA) to fully uphold a court ruling concerning illegally de- veloped swimming pools in Sannat, urging the regulator to reject any attempt to sanction the development. The statement was issued by David Pisani, PRO for Zminiji- etna – Voice of the Left. In a press statement, the NGO said the PA should respect and implement a decision by Mal- ta's highest court, which in 2024 annulled permits related to the swimming pool following legal action brought by environmen- tal NGOs. The case relates to a 180 sq.m swimming pool and decking area in Outside Development Zone (ODZ) land, originally approved as part of a 22-apart- ment development in 2021. The Court of Appeal, in a landmark ruling delivered in March 2024 in a case brought by Din l-Art Ħelwa, found that the pool was not legally part of the develop- ment's curtilage because it was separated from the apartment block by a public footpath, and also revoked permits for related penthouse additions. Despite this ruling, the Plan- ning Authority's case officer has now recommended sanc- tioning the pool under applica- tion PA/00268/25, arguing that subsequent changes, including the redesignation of a pedes- trian footpath as "private open space", have removed the legal obstacle identified by the court. The recommendation also concludes that the pool now complies with planning policy requirements for ODZ devel- opments, including provisions allowing additional pool space per dwelling unit. However, the proposal has drawn objections from resi- dents and environmental or- ganisations, including Flimk- ien għal Ambjent Aħjar, which argue that the redesignation of the footpath undermines the spirit of the court ruling and that the pool remains physically separated from the residential block. The Environment and Re- sources Authority has also maintained its objection, stat- ing that the development in- troduces urban-type use into ODZ land, while the Superin- tendence of Cultural Heritage noted broader concerns about impacts on the rural landscape and cliff views. Zminijietna said the Planning Authority has a legal obligation to respect the court's decision and warned that proceeding with sanctioning would under- mine the integrity of Malta's planning system and public trust in institutions. The Planning Board is expect- ed to decide on the application on 30 June 2026. LAURA CALLEJA lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt Zminijietna urges PA to uphold court ruling on Sannat pool case An example of one of the games that will be used The case relates to a 180 sq.m swimming pool and decking area in Outside Development Zone (ODZ) land, originally approved as part of a 22-apartment development in 2021