People interested in learning Maltese will soon have access to a new set of interactive online courses designed specifically for beginners.The University of Malta, in collaboration with language-learning platform Verbivore, is launching two new independent study courses for Maltese as a Foreign Language: Maltese for Beginners A0-A1 and Maltese for Beginners A1-A2.The courses are being presented as the first self-paced online Maltese language programmes of their kind, combining lessons, exercises, games, interactive videos, audio recordings and other digital resources to help learners build their skills at their own pace.The project was spearheaded by Iona Douglas, a British educator who has lived in Gozo for several years and who has strong Maltese family roots through her grandmother and great-grandmother.After beginning her own journey learning Maltese, Douglas realised there was a shortage of modern, accessible and professionally structured resources for foreigners looking to study the language independently.That observation led to a collaboration with the University of Malta’s Department of Maltese, which officially began in 2025 and has now resulted in the launch of the first two courses.The learning experience includes a strong focus on interactivity and gamification, with resources ranging from quizzes and activities to online games such as ‘Tombla’ and ‘In-Naffar’, which are already available free of charge.A team of Maltese language experts, led by Professor George Farrugia, contributed to the development of the courses, while actors Simone Spiteri and Mark Mifsud provided the voice recordings used throughout the material.Parts of the courses will also be integrated into Maltese as a Foreign Language programmes offered by the University of Malta and made available through the department’s online portal.The official launch will take place at the University of Malta’s Valletta Campus and will include interactive activities in both Maltese and English and can apply online.As interest in learning Maltese continues to grow among foreign residents, digital nomads and people with Maltese heritage abroad, the initiative could help make the language more accessible than ever before.Share with someone who’d be interested!•