Mother Tongue Language

Discover how the Mother Tongue Language programme builds language skills and cultural appreciation through camps, competitions, and immersion experiences.

The Mother Tongue Language programme aims to equip students with essential language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, while instilling cultural values and nurturing their holistic development. Beyond language skills, students are also guided in critical thinking, national education, information technology, and social and emotional learning.

The new Mother Tongue Language curriculum is designed to make language learning more engaging and enjoyable, with the hope that students will carry their love for the language beyond the classroom. Key focus areas include strengthening listening and speaking skills, building a firm foundation in character recognition and writing in the lower primary years, and progressively developing essay writing skills in upper primary.

Our school adopts a differentiated approach to Mother Tongue Language learning, ensuring that every student is supported through a structured, step-by-step process that allows them to learn and grow at their own pace.

MT FORTNIGHT WEEK

The Mother Tongue Fortnight programmes are conducted over two weeks for all levels in Semester One, providing a platform for all Lasallians to explore and appreciate the diverse cultures and traditions of our communities through a range of engaging activities.

Activities such as CNY Card Making, Puppet Making, Tea Appreciation, Batik Painting, and Folk Dance offer students a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities. Through these hands-on and interactive experiences, students discover cultural practices in an enjoyable and meaningful way.

Beyond the classroom, these programmes inspire Lasallians to celebrate and embrace the diversity of cultures and traditions that make up the fabric of Singapore.

EXTERNAL COMPETITION PARTICIPATION

The Mother Tongue Department actively encourages students to participate in a wide range of competitions and enrichment activities throughout the year, including Storytelling, Writing, Singing, Bilingual Translation, the Singapore-Malaysia Bilingual Olympiad, Online ICT Competitions, and other language-related events.

We believe that competitions offer students meaningful opportunities to apply their learning beyond the classroom. Through the process of preparation and participation, students are encouraged to express themselves creatively, strengthen their language skills, develop critical thinking, and build confidence in using their mother tongue.

More importantly, these experiences help students discover the joy of language learning. By exploring diverse topics, cultures, and perspectives, students broaden their horizons, deepen their knowledge, and develop a genuine appreciation for their language and heritage.

Through these varied learning experiences, the Mother Tongue Department hopes that students will not only strive for excellence but also cultivate a lasting passion for their mother tongue — growing into confident, enthusiastic, and lifelong learners.

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE EXPOSURE SCHEME (CPES)

The Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES) aims to create awareness of cultural aspects and heritage among students through authentic learning experiences, particularly through cultural performances. By experiencing these performances firsthand, students are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation of their own culture and heritage, while engaging with it in a fun, meaningful, and memorable way.

P3 MOTHER TONGUE CULTURAL CAMP

The P3 Mother Tongue Cultural Camp offers students an enriching and immersive learning experience that deepens their appreciation for their Mother Tongue languages and cultures.

Through a variety of interactive activities, students explore cultural practices, strengthen their language skills, and develop a greater understanding of the rich heritage behind their Mother Tongue languages. Beyond language learning, the camp also fosters teamwork, creativity, and meaningful connections among students.

MT Sparks!

Igniting Joy in Learning Mother Tongue Languages

MT SPARKS! is a Mother Tongue Language programme designed to ignite students' joy and interest in learning their Mother Tongue languages through meaningful, hands-on, and authentic experiences.

Complementing classroom learning, MT SPARKS! engages students through a diverse range of activities — from treasure hunts and fruit salad making to craft-making, gardening, poster design, and environmental projects. Together, these activities allow students to experience their Mother Tongue languages in ways that are purposeful, relevant, and enjoyable.

Through these experiences, students are empowered to develop the Emerging 21st Century Competencies (E21CC) across three key areas. In Critical, Adaptive and Inventive Thinking, students explore, experiment, solve problems, and create solutions through hands-on and cross-curricular experiences. In Communication, Collaboration and Information Skills, students use their Mother Tongue languages to express ideas, collaborate with peers, present their learning, and make meaningful connections using digital tools. In Civic, Global and Cross-Cultural Literacy, students develop an appreciation of their cultural heritage while exploring environmental issues, community roles, Singapore's identity, and their place in an interconnected world.

Through this progression, younger learners explore and discover through play and sensory experiences, while older students create, collaborate, and express their ideas through increasingly authentic and purposeful tasks. Ultimately, students come to see that Mother Tongue languages are not simply subjects to be studied, but languages to be used, shared, and enjoyed.