Peppi Azzopardi’s Unconventional English Lessons: A Sign of the Times

Imagine a classroom in the heart of Malta, in the 1960s. The blackboard is filled with chalk dust, and the air is thick with the scent of ink and paper. Among the students is a young Peppi Azzopardi, his shirt collar stiff with starch, a sign hanging around his neck. The sign reads, in bold, capital letters, ‘I know English.’

An Unorthodox Teaching Method

Peppi’s English teacher, Mr. Zammit, was known for his unorthodox methods. He believed that learning a language wasn’t just about grammar rules and vocabulary lists. It was about immersion, about making the language a part of your daily life. So, he made his students wear signs in English, hoping to instill a sense of ownership, a sense of ‘I know this, I can do this.’

Peppi, now a respected educator and author, remembers those days with a mix of amusement and gratitude. “It was embarrassing, of course,” he admits, “but it worked. It made us think in English, speak in English. It made us proud of what we knew.”

From Signs to Stories: Peppi’s Journey

Peppi’s journey with English didn’t stop at the classroom door. He went on to study English at the University of Malta, then taught it for decades. He’s written books, hosted radio shows, and even translated Shakespeare into Maltese. His love for the language is evident in every word he speaks, every story he tells.

“English isn’t just a language,” he says, “It’s a way of seeing the world. It’s a tool for understanding, for communicating, for connecting.”

Peppi’s English Lessons: A Malta Story

Peppi’s story is a Malta story. It’s a tale of a small island nation, sandwiched between Europe and Africa, finding its voice in a global language. It’s a story of resilience, of turning embarrassment into empowerment, of making the most of what you have.

Today, Malta is a bilingual nation, English and Maltese coexisting in schools, on street signs, in the chatter of cafes. Peppi’s sign might seem like a relic of the past, but it’s a symbol of the present. It’s a testament to the power of language, to the power of ‘I know.’

So, the next time you see an English sign in Malta, remember Peppi Azzopardi. Remember the boy who wore a sign, who learned a language, who became a storyteller. And remember that sometimes, the most unconventional methods can lead to the most profound learning.