lottelita
American expat in Malta
Forum posts
42
About me
American
Registration: 23 July 2015
School transport pick-up times by eunck
Hello Do you have any experience with the school transport? I 'm trying to get an idea at approximately what time I could expect my children to be picked up in the morning depending on where we live. This is the situation: We are an expat ...
yes, we live in sliema. my older kid goes to pembroke secondary. there are plenty of other children who also ride the public bus to school. the commute would be even shorter (very short ride and frequent buses) but most of the buses stop where ... Read More
Maltese Language Courses
i have known some people who have taken it. they did not get very far with it. you need a lot more practice than meeting once a week. but it is a start. i have been recommended to avoid the second course as it focuses too heavily on the ... Read More
Best Online Maltese Language Courses? by sjones581
Hi, I'm new to the site. American, retired and can't imagine moving to a country without at least extending the courtesy of learning the native tongue. Even in a country where English is commonly spoken. So what's the best online ...
i don't think any online course would be very helpful. but i have learned a bit of it trying to help my kids learn over the last three, four months. i cannot pronounce anything but i have passable elementary reading knowledge after using the ... Read More
School transport pick-up times by eunck
Hello Do you have any experience with the school transport? I 'm trying to get an idea at approximately what time I could expect my children to be picked up in the morning depending on where we live. This is the situation: We are an expat ...
my primary schooler gets picked up at 8:05 for 8:30 school start. my middle schooler's bus apparently comes at 7:15 for 8:30 start. that's much too early so he takes the public bus at 7:45 or so (as late as 8:05 depending on the bus ... Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
My kid just finished first year in Pembroke Secondary. Here are some thoughts. First, the curriculum is very good. There is tracking for English, math and Maltese. The other classes are mixed/general. My kid is in the highest track for ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
yes, they are just the letting agent. that's why i said she should only chew him out instead of suing him. though they are not obligated to provide legal assistance, agents would have a good idea of what the normal terms of leases are in malta ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
yes, there is an ambivalence here. on the one hand, the locals are very friendly and easy going on a daily basis. but when i talk to them at length, it's apparent they sort of hate all this immigration. they like it because it keeps the ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
Thats why........ Never sign something on your own, always get a friend at least to check it over with you.if that person used a rental agent, s/he should go chew the agent out. that's a very bad oversight and should have been noticed right ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
though i disagree how bad the situations can be, thanks for letting newbies (like me) know. have to watch out with landlords. move out time is always stressful. always. Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
this isn't a landlord issue. here, the woman is a condo owner. condo owners have to pay their dues. period. you cannot not pay and negotiate with the association because it doesn't seem like the association is using the money. and ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
it sounds like they had a very bad contract where they had a plain clause to just pay 鈧�100 per month and no reconciliation with the actual utilities use/billing. if that's the case, then i guess technically, they did owe the landlord, as ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
i'm still not sure a landlord or anyone else can just garnish your wages or freeze your bank account. it just doesn't sound like something possible in a developed country. it would mean there is no rule of law here. and why wouldn't ... Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
i cannot believe that. how can someone garnish anything without a lawsuit in his favor? i know governments can do that to but landlords are just people. i would seriously like someone to verify this. Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
but he'd first have to go to court, right? and i imagine it cannot be more than the security deposit. i suppose it could be more if he could document actual damage and actually sue (and win). it seems like maybe withholding rent is not the ... Read More
Charges for Phone Calls to Govt Offices
Oh, wow. I had no idea. I imagine none of these govt offices have a freephone, but if they did, how would a person identify it? This is so crazy to me to pay to be on hold. Read More
WARNING: Maltese Landlords will try to rip you off, also in Gozo! by ewa22
Hi everybody, When I came to Malta I did not believe, when my new colleague told me that she does not like the greed in Maltese people and this is the main reason she does not have Maltese friends. I did not believe that it can be that bad since ...
interesting. what was the excuse for keeping the deposit? i have actually found the everyday maltese people to be the opposite of greedy. i have heard quite a few people say, "but money isn't that important to me," which is sort ... Read More
Charges for Phone Calls to Govt Offices
Hi. I inexplicably went through my cell phone minutes and when I looked into it. I blew like 鈧�20 on a phone call to Mater Dei (was on hold for over an hour after several disconnections). And I called the education department and that too, ... Read More
Government schools in Malta by munchkin baby
Good day, I am from South Africa wanting to move to Malta with a toddler who is turning three. I would like to know what the experiences have been like with the schooling of St Paul's school and Pembroke school the last year? How has the ...
for the state school option, you can take a look at this thread re st. clare/pembroke: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=476802. my children go there. in my opinion, it is a good option for many expat families. st. clare is heavily ... Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
I heard from the heads of departments at Pembroke Secondary that all the social studies subjects will be taught in both Maltese and English going forward and both the mid-year and annual exams will be given in both Maltese and English. In ... Read More
Where to Buy Computer Peripherals
I need these because we lost ours and I need to replace them. Can someone say if there's an area where computer peripherals are sold or a specific store exists? Thanks. Read More
Where to Buy Computer Peripherals
Hi. My husband will be in HK for a few days and we are in need of a laptop AC adapter and a usb charger. We also need some electric plug converters. Probably, they can be all found together. We live in Malta so the UK plug types are all fine. ... Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
hi. my son started at the primary last year and is in secondary this year at pembroke. maltese schools are a little bare bones in some ways and do not have substitute teachers. so if your child's teacher is sick or has a personal errand or ... Read More
Maltese Component in Secondary School Pembroke (St. Clare) by lottelita
Hi. I have a 10yo who will be entering Year 7 in Pembroke next year. This year, he is in Sliema Primary (St. Clare). He is learning ZERO history/social studies because it is taught strictly in fluency level Maltese. He is also learning very ...
Is there no one who can comment on St. Clare Pembroke Secondary? Read More
Maltese Component in Secondary School Pembroke (St. Clare)
Hi. I have a 10yo who will be entering Year 7 in Pembroke next year. This year, he is in Sliema Primary (St. Clare). He is learning ZERO history/social studies because it is taught strictly in fluency level Maltese. He is also learning very ... Read More
Where to live in Malta? by mommaj
Hello there, We are a family of three and we are thinking of moving to Malta. My son who is turning five has autism and is very sensitive to noise. Where can we live that is not too busy and yet nearby to schools, therapy centers, park, mall. We ...
This post is very surprising to me. Malta is very crowded and I would never want to live on the Strand or one of the busy roads in Sliema. But I live around Tigne Point and there is hardly ever noise here except in the summer months when the ... Read More
Halloween in Malta
So, apparently, my children's school mates have informed them there is no trick or treating or other Halloween celebrations to any extent on the island. My kids are bummed! Do your kids go trick or treating anywhere on the island? Maybe ... Read More
St. Clare Uniform Questions by lottelita
Hi. My children are enrolled at St. Clare Primary and I just got the school supplies and uniform lists. I am puzzled about a few items. Maybe some veterans can help me out. 1. I already bought new shoes for my children. But today, the secretary ...
don't understand a question - normal tracksuit, only this one is in school colours summer one: shorts + t-shirt (both with school amblem) I am unfamiliar with the term "tracksuit." I guess it must be British. 6. Could I buy just ... Read More
St. Clare School Supplies Question
OK. Here are some questions regarding school supplies. I am not sure what some of these items are and for what they are used. I would appreciate input from primary parents. Apron -- I guess this is for art. Is this absolutely necessary for ... Read More
St. Clare Uniform Questions
Hi. My children are enrolled at St. Clare Primary and I just got the school supplies and uniform lists. I am puzzled about a few items. Maybe some veterans can help me out. 1. I already bought new shoes for my children. But today, the secretary ... Read More
Qormi Clinic Screening Certificate
Update for everybody: Oddly, the school never asked for the Qormi Health Screening Form and now my children are enrolled at St. Clare primary. If you're from Europe, US, Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, maybe save yourself the trip and go to ... Read More
Qormi Clinic Screening Certificate
Thank you, Duxx. Yes, they just do tuberculosis screening. They asked about our travels and said we were OK. Was fairly quick and free of charge. We got a sheet of paper at the end. If anybody is going by public transport, the clinic is ... Read More
Qormi Clinic Screening Certificate
Hi. We're starting the process of enrolling our children at St.Clare. We're going to get the screening certificate tomorrow but the clinic did not want a copy of our immunization records. They just wanted to see the children and their ... Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
Thank you, Duxx. I think I will give it a go with St. Clare's. I still hope someone from the school will post their experience. Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
Hi, Kelly. Was it difficult for the children to follow the Maltese instructions for social studies? I would think that would be fairly challenging. I will have to ask more pointed questions about my particular primary school. Thanks for your ... Read More
St Clare's Pembroke by Gernats
Hi, Does anyone have any information or experience on this school, I'm trying to find a good state school for my daughter and finding it really difficult. She will be starting at secondary age where I'm hoping the transition will be easier ...
Hi. Do I gather that St. Clare's mainly teaches in English? Also, does a family have to be long-term residents specifically to enroll at state schools? Can it be just a regular resident family with ID cards, etc. Last, are all children ... Read More