Dr. Michelle Panzavecchia is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Education and Visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta. She holds a PhD in Bilingualism, Multilingualism, and English Language Teaching from the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on multilingual education, language identity, cross linguistic practices, English language teaching, and culturally responsive pedagogy, with interests also in early education, communication impairment, and qualitative research.

This study examines how Maltese teachers navigate increasing linguistic and cultural diversity within a bilingual context. Findings reveal varied responses, from innovation to resistance, shaped by personal, institutional, and historical factors, with subtle racialised assumptions sometimes reinforcing exclusion. The paper argues that meaningful inclusion requires deeper engagement with teacher experiences and underlying ideologies, contributing to broader discussions on teacher agency, inclusion, and the evolving role of language education in Malta.