Mother Tongue Languages

Mother Tongue Languages

Master the Mother Tongue, Inherit the Culture

学好母语，传承文化

Dalami Bahasa Ibunda, Warisi Budaya

நம் தாய்மொழியைச் சிறப்பாகக் கற்று, நம் பண்பாட்டை அடுத்த தலைமுறைக்குக் கொண்டு சேர்ப்போம்

Mission
To nurture a supportive environment where students develop strong Mother Tongue language skills, empowering them to embrace and express their cultural heritage with confidence and pride.

Vision
A vibrant school community of students and educators who value and lead in the appreciation, mastery, and continued use of Mother Tongue languages.

Department Goals 

  • Language Mastery: Equip students with proficiency in their Mother Tongue to effectively communicate and articulate ideas in both written and spoken forms.

  • Cultural Appreciation: Foster a deep understanding and appreciation of students' own cultures and heritage, strengthening their sense of identity and belonging.

  • Critical Thinking and Expression: Develop students' ability to analyze, reflect on, and respond thoughtfully to a variety of texts and media in their Mother Tongue.

  • Community Engagement: Encourage students to apply their Mother Tongue skills in real-world settings, building connections with their community and beyond.

Questions on Mother Tongue Languages
For questions related to Mother Tongue Languages, pls contact

Non-Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL)
Please note that Non-Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL) lessons are not conducted in CHIJ St. Theresa’s Convent.
Students who are taking NTIL will go to designated schools for their lessons.
For more information on NTIL matters, please refer to Board for the Teaching and Testing of South Asian Languages (http://www.bttsal.com).

Head Of Department
Mdm Lee Chai Yen ( lee_chai_yen@moe.edu.sg)

Level Head, Chinese Language
Ms Ng Say Hong (ng_say_hong@moe.edu.sg)

Department Staff

Chinese Language
Mdm Du Liang (du_liang@moe.edu.sg)

Mr Loh Chiu Wai (loh_chiu_wai@moe.edu.sg)
Mdm Choy Cheng Mun (choy_cheng_mun@moe.edu.sg)

Mdm Evelyn Yau (evelyn_yau_yen_teng@moe.edu.sg)

Mrs Cerise Xu (chiew_shuqin_cerise@moe.edu.sg)
Mr Wong Chee Leong (wong_chee_leong@moe.edu.sg)

Malay Language
Mdm Haslinda Bte Ramat (haslinda_ramat@moe.edu.sg)
Mdm Nur Hannah Binti Mohamed Elyas (nur_hannah_mohamed_elyas@moe.edu.sg)

Tamil Language
Ms Zaynab Binte Abdul Rahman (Zaynab_Abdul_Rahman@schools.gov.sg)

Mr Natarajan Saravanan (natarajan_saravanan@moe.edu.sg)

Mother Tongue Department Teaching and Learning: The 4E Framework

1. Engage: Captivate Interest and Foster Relevance

  • Spark curiosity and connect learning to real-life contexts.

  • Employ diverse teaching methods, such as integrating ICT tools and project-based learning.

  • Provide authentic experiences that make lessons relevant and engaging.

 2. Enthuse: Build Excitement and a Positive Attitude

  • Foster excitement and a positive attitude toward language learning.

  • Offer enriching experiences beyond the classroom, including Mother Tongue Fortnight activities.

  • Examples include workshops, performances, and collaborative learning, which broaden students’ perspectives on language and culture.

3. Encourage: Support Effort, Growth, and Perseverance

  • Promote extensive reading and exploration across language disciplines.

  • Facilitate opportunities for immersive learning, like the Chinese reading workshop where students interacted with a writer.

  • Encourage sharing sessions, where students from various language groups discuss their insights, fostering a vibrant reading culture school wide.

 4. Enlighten: Deepen Understanding and Broaden Perspectives

  • Broaden students' cultural awareness and deepen their understanding of heritage.

  • Engage selected students in talent development programs, such as Chinese Broadcast Journalism (covering News Editorial and Video Making) and competitive events.

  • Organize hands-on cultural activities—Chinese drama workshops, Tamil jewelry-making, mini kampong house construction, ondeh-ondeh creation for Malay students, Pongal festival explorations for Tamil students, and Chinese calligraphy sessions—to strengthen cultural connections.

 Awards

  • “Script It Right” Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition 2024: Awarded Top 20 - Merit Prize in the Secondary School category

  • The 7th National Secondary Schools Chinese Mini-Fiction Creative Writing Competition: Awarded 3rd Position

  • The 13th National Primary & Secondary School On-the-Spot Chinese Calligraphy Competition: Awarded Top 10 - Merit Prize in the Secondary School category

  • 2024 Reading Superstar Competition: Awarded Top 10 - Merit Prize in the Secondary School category

  • 2024 Awe-Inspiring Virtue and Ocean of Wisdom National Calligraphy Competition: School Award for Outstanding Performance (Harmony Award and Active Participation Award)

  • Malay Language Writing Competition (Pena Emasku 2024): Awarded Gold Category

•         Tamil Language Poetry Writing Competition: Awarded Consolation Prize

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