Mother Tongue Languages

Introduction

The Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department aims to nurture our students to become confident and proficient users in their respective Mother Tongue languages. Through various authentic learning platforms, students can use their MTL beyond the classroom and learn to appreciate their culture and heritage.

Subject Offerings

Key Programmes

1. Mother Tongue Languages Fortnight programme

The Mother Tongue Fortnight programme aims to provide platforms for students to actively learn MTL and the associated culture to experience MTL as 'a living language'. The students get to speak their MTL and better understand their heritage and culture through a wide range of cultural activities organised, such as Chinese Fan painting, Batik Painting, and playing traditional musical instruments.

Chinese Fan Painting

Batik Painting

Learning to play Dhol Tash

2. Festive Celebrations

To share the joy of cultural festivities among students from different backgrounds, the MTL department organises Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Tamil New Year and Deepavali celebrations annually. Through these celebrations, students learn more about the different cultures, traditions and practices and join in the celebrations with their peers and teachers.

Making of Tang Yuan (汤圆）during Chinese New Year celebrations

Hari Raya celebrations

Deepavali celebrations

3. Conversational Chinese & Malay

The Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) is an MOE-initiated programme which aims to strengthen Singapore’s multi-racial compact and enables students to learn functional Chinese or Malay Language to engage their counterparts in the region. Students learn to communicate based on daily life situations by listening and speaking in the language. They also gain a better understanding of Chinese or Malay culture.

Stretch Programmes

The MTL department aims to promote MTL usage and learning outside the classrooms by encouraging our students to participate in external competitions and seminars. Through these competitions, students can gain greater exposure and challenge themselves. With the guidance of our MTL teachers, our students have performed well in these competitions.

Achievements

2023

• CL: National Text Recital Competition  - Tai Lian Hong (S2-8) - Gold Award
  : Create Your Own Newspaper Challenge - Certificate of Participation

• ML: Short Story Writing Competition - 1 Gold Award, 1 Bronze Award
  : Pena Emas Competition - Certificate of Participation

• TL: Kamban Vizha  - 1 student within top 6 positions, 3 certificates of Participation
  : Tamil ARTS Contest - Certificate of Participation

2022

• CL: Create Your Own Newspaper Challenge 2022
  - 3rd and Commendation prize
  

• ML: National Writing Competition 2022
  - Top 10 Finalist
  

• TL: Tamil Comic Writing Competition 2022
  - 3rd prize