Charles Daniel Saliba has recently completed two new books, Maltese Grammar Essentials in Context for Healthcare Professionals and Speaking Medical Maltese from Zero, following his previous work on medical Maltese.
Dr Saliba states: "My experience in teaching Maltese as a Foreign Language (MFL) and Medical Maltese at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry (QMUL), Gozo Campus, enabled me to learn more about the challenges faced by students learning medical Maltese. This experience proved to be beneficial when designing and planning these books, as I was able to address their challenges. Additionally, my experience in designing and facilitating accreditation (through the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority [MFHEA]) for the three courses taught at QMUL - Award in MFL MQF 1 (5 ECTS), Award in Medical Maltese MQF 1 (5 ECTS) and Award in Medical Maltese MQF 2 (5 ECTS) - was very fruitful."
Maltese Grammar Essentials in Context for Healthcare Professionals is a bilingual grammar book in Maltese and English. It teaches Maltese grammar in an easy-to-follow format, using various situations commonly encountered in hospitals. The exercises and activities are designed to teach the language in a real-life context in a cyclical manner, while simultaneously aiding vocabulary acquisition as well as effective comprehension and communications skills. Each chapter also contains a cultural section related to healthcare in Malta, including Malta's public and private healthcare system; Catholicism and its manifestation in hospitals and care homes; hospital security; sick leave rules and procedures; current health issues; the National Patient's Charter of Rights and Responsibilities; elder abuse and medication mistakes among patients. This book will familiarise readers with the health sector in Malta and make them feel at home while working in the country.
Speaking Medical Maltese from Zero contains 42 dialogues (with parallel translations) to help medical Maltese students improve their reading, listening and communication skills to enable them to converse in real-life situations in medical settings. After some dialogues, readers will find a box with important Maltese phrases and medical expressions, along with their English translation. Saliba has also updated the accompanying audio files related to the Maltese for foreigners series so that learners can listen to native Maltese speakers reading the text and performing the dialogues.
Dr Saliba adds: "These books are suitable for medical and healthcare personnel and students who need to use Maltese in their work or study to communicate with patients and colleagues."
These books are available from www.bdlbooks.com. For more information about these books and Dr Saliba's other work visit: www.charlesdanielsaliba.com