Mother Tongue Language Department
The Mother Language Department nurtures students’ interest and proficiency in their Mother Tongue languages while promoting cultural appreciation, racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding through reading programmes, cultural activities, camps and festive celebrations.
Objectives
Instilling Interest and Passion for the Mother Language:
Engage students through meaningful and interactive learning experiences to develop a lifelong interest in the Mother Tongue languages.
Strengthening and Celebrating Racial Diversity:
Create platforms for students of different races to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures and traditions, fostering racial harmony and mutual respect.
Nurturing Cultural Intelligence:
Cultivate students' Global Awareness, Cross-Cultural Skills, and Sensitivities through authentic and engaging hands-on activities that promote a deeper appreciation of different cultures and heritage.
Developing Communication Skills in Mother Tongue Languages:
Strengthen students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities to enable confident and effective communication in the Mother Tongue languages.
Programmes
MTL Reading Programmes
Chinese Language
The Guided Reading Programme for Chinese Language aims to cultivate a love for reading while enhancing students' language proficiency. By engaging with a diverse range of texts, students develop strong reading habits, expand their vocabulary, and deepen their appreciation of Chinese culture.
For Lower Primary students, a specially designed Reading Booklet is provided for home use. This booklet includes engaging reading activities that encourage parent-child reading sessions, allowing children to practise reading Chinese storybooks while strengthening their bond with their parents. To further promote family involvement, the Lower Primary Storytelling Competition "Little Stories, Fun to Share" provides parents and family members with an opportunity to share stories they have read with their children, inspiring more students to develop a love for reading.
To spark students’ interest, a curated selection of books is available for all levels, complementing the school library’s existing collection. This diverse range of reading materials exposes students to various text types and writing styles. Additionally, students are encouraged to design bookmarks for their favorite books, write short synopses to recommend books to friends, and complete engaging post-reading activities. These activities foster independent reading and critical thinking, nurturing lifelong learners who take pride in their mother tongue.
Silent Reading is a pre-assembly programme where students engage in independent reading before the daily flag-raising ceremony. Mother Tongue storybooks are designated for reading on Tuesdays, ensuring that students develop a consistent reading habit with at least 5 to 15 minutes of daily reading. Through this initiative, students are continuously immersed in the world of reading, laying a strong foundation for language learning and appreciation.
Malay Language
The Extensive Reading Programme ‘RIANG’ for Malay Language is designed to cultivate a love for reading while enhancing students' language proficiency. By engaging with a diverse range of texts, students develop stronger reading habits, expand their vocabulary, and gain deeper cultural appreciation.
The programme encourages independent reading and critical thinking, fostering lifelong learners who take pride in their Malay Language.
It is structured to cater to different proficiency levels and interests:
Guided Reading (Lower Primary): Students are introduced to engaging picture books and short stories, with teacher-led discussions to build comprehension.
Independent Reading (Middle and Upper Primary): Students select books based on their interests and reading abilities, fostering self-directed learning.
Reading Booklet: Students track their reading progress through journals, reflections, and creative responses.
Peer Sharing Sessions: Students are provided opportunities to share their favorite books, write reviews, and recommend readings to peers in class.
Integration with Classroom Learning: Teachers incorporate reading materials into lessons to reinforce language learning.
Tamil Language
As part of our efforts to strengthen language skills and foster a love for reading, our school launched the Tamil Language Extensive Reading Programme.
Students are encouraged to read a wide range of Tamil Language books, including storybooks, folktales, poems, and comics. Through weekly reading sessions, book sharing activities, and creative reflections like book reviews and story retellings, students can expand their vocabulary, improve their comprehension, and deepen their appreciation for Tamil Language. The programme aims to help students build confidence in using Tamil Language and inspire them to become lifelong readers.
Mother Tongue Fortnight
Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Fortnight aims to create an immersive and engaging environment where students can appreciate and deepen their understanding of their Mother Tongue languages and cultures. To enrich this cultural experience, the MTL Department has introduced a diverse range of cultural themes, including:
Traditional Games
Traditional Food
Martial Arts
Cultural Musical Instruments
Cultural Dance
Traditional Customs & Cultural Practices
Through these varied and meaningful themes, we provide students across all six levels with enriching cultural learning experiences that span different languages and traditions. Beyond exploring their own cultural heritage, students are also given opportunities for cross-cultural learning, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of Singapore’s diverse heritage.
During these two exciting weeks, students engage in a wide range of theme-based activities designed to bring language and culture to life. From hands-on workshops to interactive performances, these activities make MTL learning fun, engaging, and memorable.
MTL Fortnight is one of the most highly anticipated events at SACPS, uniting both teachers and students in a vibrant celebration of language and culture. Through this immersive experience, we hope to instill a lifelong appreciation for Mother Tongue languages while nurturing a strong sense of cultural identity among our students.
Mother Tongue Cultural Camp for Primary 3 Students
To deepen our students’ exposure to Chinese culture, the Mother Tongue Department organises an annual Cultural Day Camp for Primary 3 students. This immersive Language and Cultural Camp allows students to learn and use their Mother Tongue languages in a more meaningful and engaging way. Through hands-on activities, they gain a deeper appreciation of their cultural heritage and roots, fostering a stronger connection to their identity while making language learning fun and interactive.
Chinese Language
Over the years, students have had the opportunity to explore a diverse range of traditional Chinese art forms, such as Chinese Opera, Shadow Play, Clay Sculpture, Bean Art, Fan Painting, Kite Making and Traditional Games and Food from various dialect groups.
Malay Language
The Malay Language students had the opportunity to explore a diverse range of traditional activities such as making of Bunga Rampai, creating of Bunga Pahar, Theatre and Drama in Malay Language and the learning of Silat martial arts.
Tamil Language
Students participated in a range of exciting Tamil Language activities that deepened their love and appreciation for the language. Highlights included traditional storytelling sessions, lively poetry recitations and engaging cultural games. Students also explored Tamil arts through songs, drama, and hands-on activities like calligraphy and traditional crafts.
It was heartwarming to see students connect with their heritage while having fun. Through these activities, we celebrated the beauty and richness of the Tamil Language and culture.
Festival Celebrations
Lunar New Year Celebration
The Lunar New Year celebration is more than just a festive event. It is a vibrant showcase of culture, tradition, and togetherness. Each year, with a unique theme, the celebration brings joy and excitement to the school, fostering a deeper appreciation for Chinese heritage. Through performances, interactive activities, and meaningful exchanges of mandarin oranges, we come together as a community to welcome the new year with hope and unity.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration
The Hari Raya Concert is more than just a showcase of talent. It is a heartfelt celebration of community spirit, love, and shared traditions. Each year, with a new theme, the concert continues to inspire and unite people, creating cherished memories and reinforcing the message of togetherness.
Deepavali Concert Celebration
The annual Deepavali Concert Celebration is a vibrant and joyous event that brings together the SACPS community to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Through music, dance, and cultural performances, the concert highlights the significance of Deepavali while fostering unity, diversity, and a sense of belonging. Each year, the celebration revolves around a meaningful theme that reflects the essence of togetherness and the triumph of light over darkness.