Students’ Learning and Satisfaction In An Alternative Learning Centre In Malta

Abstract

[EN] This paper is a small-scale research study done by the author. It seeks to find the perceptions of students attending an alternative learning centre,with an emphasis on vocational education, with regards to their learning. This study is situated on the island of Malta and the five students interviewed currently attend this school, which opened in 2014, and is the only one of its kind on the island. The main results obtained are that, on the whole, the students are happy to attend this school. They drew comparisons between their school life in the previous four years of secondary education in the mainstream college and in the alternative learning centre. They enjoyed the lessons because they were learning the subjects that they wanted to learn, they enjoyed the small class size,and the individual attention. They felt part of a big family and appreciated the fact that the teachers genuinely cared for them. They also mentioned things that should be improved, like more resources for the classrooms and a major renovation of the school building. The conclusion drawn here is that while the students are happy, care must be taken so that the concerns raised are addressed.