Cultural orientation practice gives you the mental map to understand daily life in Malta — from family traditions and religion in public life to what civic life looks like at street level.
Use this page to practise
Choose one example and separate what this page describes from a broader generalisation; say what you would check before treating it as universal.
Independent practice only. This guide is not an official syllabus, question bank, or prediction of results.
- CO1
I Belong Programme · Topic 3 of 11
3 sections · 5 key facts · 4 review prompts
Neighbours and shared spaces
Greet neighbours and ask about customs you do not understand. People in the same town can have different beliefs and routines.
Looking after shared spaces and respecting local rules helps everyone use them. Ask your local council about services in your area.
Religion in Maltese public life
The constitution establishes the Roman Catholic Apostolic faith as the religion of Malta. Catholicism has a visible role in public life, including in education, social services (Caritas Malta is a Church-linked social welfare organisation) and community events such as festas, which are rooted in parish life.
As a new resident, you may encounter religious practice in public contexts, such as church bells, processions around patron saints’ feasts, religious statues and shrines, and public holidays that affect shop and service opening hours.
The constitution also protects freedom of conscience and worship. Awareness of and respect for local religious customs in public contexts is practical for any resident — it is not a requirement to share those beliefs.
Everyday civic participation
Everyday civic participation means taking part in community life: following local rules and regulations (waste disposal, noise, traffic), respecting public and shared spaces, and understanding that integration involves both rights and responsibilities.
Waste collection arrangements differ by locality and can change. Check your Local Council’s or the official waste-collection guidance for collection days and how to separate waste.
Check official guidance for any obligations that apply to you as a permit holder, and take part positively in your immediate community. Local Councils are the basic unit of local government.
Key facts to remember
Maltese and English are Malta’s two official languages.
Malta’s constitution protects freedom of conscience and worship.
Village festas are linked to parish patron saints.
Local councils provide services for their towns or villages.
St Paul’s Shipwreck is a public holiday on 10 February.
Study tips
- Match a public holiday to its date, then check how it could affect a local service.
- For practice, try describing a Maltese cultural practice in your own words — not just to name it.
- When studying the religious content, focus on how religion shapes the public calendar and community events, not on theological details.
- Learn what a 'Local Council' is — it is the basic unit of local governance and relevant to community life.
Common pitfalls
- Treating religious content as irrelevant because you are not Catholic — it helps you understand public life and the calendar, whatever your beliefs
- Not knowing what Caritas Malta is — a Church-linked social welfare organisation
- Overlooking local rules (waste disposal, noise) that affect daily life
- Describing festas only as 'religious events' without acknowledging their community-wide character
Ready to test yourself?
Self-test
Quick review
4 questions · tap to reveal
Which public holiday falls on 10 February?
The Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck.
What is Caritas Malta?
A Church-linked social welfare organisation.
What is the relationship between festas and the Catholic Church?
Festas are rooted in Catholic parish life — many celebrate the parish's patron saint — but they also function as community events.
What is a Local Council in Malta?
The basic unit of local governance — the municipal body responsible for a range of local services in each village or town.
Preparation scope and sources
Since 15 June 2026, I Belong focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. The Directorate also provides transitional arrangements for Stage 2 applications received before that date, including an opportunity to take MQF Level 2 Maltese. Its overview does not specify a current assessment format or numeric pass mark. Confirm the instructions for your course with your provider. Language exercises here are supplementary practice, not official I Belong course materials.
Read the official I Belong Programme guidance
Assessment guidance checked:
The linked programme overview establishes the preparation context, not an official endorsement of these exercises. Follow your provider's current course materials and assessment instructions.