Mother Tongue Languages

Syllabus Objectives

Confidently bilingual.

Language is the key in all communication and bilingualism is the cornerstone of our education policy. Our department believes that proficiency in a Mother Tongue Language, being bilingual, will open doors and opportunities for our students in their journey of exploration now and in the future. Our department hopes to empower our students’ language learning by supporting them through our linguistically and culturally rich curricula and programmes to help them become confidently bilingual.

Subjects Offered

• Higher Chinese/ Higher Malay (Express) 
• Chinese/ Malay (Express / Normal Academic)
• Basic Chinese/ Basic Malay (Normal Technical) 
• Chinese Language ‘B’ (Sec 4/5 only) 
• Conversational Chinese and Malay (Sec 1 & 2)

Chinese Language

The Chinese Language syllabus aims to:

• improve students’ language communication skills through the respective (MTL) programmes

• enhance students’ socio-cultural appreciation skills through

  • the development of positive values and outlook in life;

  • the learning and imparting of cultural heritage;

  • the emphasis on caring for family, society, country and the world; and 

  • the inculcation of aesthetics appreciation to learn about and understand different cultures.

• elevate students’ general communication skills by

  • using their creative and critical thinking abilities to analyse and solve problems;

  • engaging in self-directed learning and inquiry;

  • applying information technology effectively in learning and social interaction; and

  • using appropriate social and emotional skills when managing their interrelationships and collaborative work with others.

Malay Language

The Malay Language syllabus aims to: 

• improve students’ language communication skills through the respective (MTL) programmes

• enhance students’ socio-cultural appreciation skills through

  • the development of positive values and outlook in life;

  • the learning and imparting of cultural heritage;

  • the emphasis on caring for family, society, country and the world; and 

  • the inculcation of aesthetics appreciation to learn about and understand different cultures.

• elevate students’ general communication skills by

  • using their creative and critical thinking abilities to analyse and solve problems;

  • engaging in self-directed learning and inquiry;

  • applying information technology effectively in learning and social interaction; and

  • using appropriate social and emotional skills when managing their interrelationships and collaborative work with others.

Special Programmes

Mother Tongue Fortnight

This is an annual programme for students of the respective MTL groups to learn more about their own language and culture through enrichment programmes, games, learning journeys and so on.

Chinese New Year Celebration: Hamper Design Competition and Well Wishes Instagram Competition

Every year, besides the CNY concert celebrated by all, the MTL also organised two competitions to welcome the new year. The first is the CNY Hamper Design Competition where each class will create a hamper based on the required theme. There will be three winners for each level, and all hampers will be donated to the selected elderly centre or children’s home. The objective of this competition is to learn to be grateful for what we have, and also share it with others. The second competition is the Well Wishes Instagram competition where each class will prepare a short video clip based on well wishes for CNY.

“Book Your Holiday” Programme

This is programme whereby CL and ML students were given a book of their choice for holiday reading during the June holidays. This is to encourage students to read more in their mother tongue languages, cultivate the good habit of reading, and also to spend their holidays meaningfully through reading.

Author-in-Residence Essay Writing Workshop (Chinese Unit)

Students who participate in this workshop will learn writing skills from renown local writers. Over the years, this 8-hour programme has taught our students writing skills, for example, in short stories and poetry.

Hari Raya Celebration

Hari Raya is celebrated with an annual concert of song, dance, dram skit, and quiz to let our students learn more about Hari Raya and the Malay culture.