Mother Tongue Department
Introduction
Welcome to the Mother Tongue Department at St Andrew's School (Junior). We believe that learning a mother tongue language goes far beyond mastering grammar and vocabulary—it is a deeply personal journey of discovering one's roots, culture, and identity.
In our increasingly interconnected world, being proficient in a mother tongue gives our students a unique edge. It fosters empathy, opens doors to global opportunities, and allows them to connect meaningfully with their community and heritage. Through a blend of innovative teaching methods, joyful learning environments, and authentic cultural experiences, our dedicated team of educators strives to make language learning come alive for every student.
Vision
"Nurturing skilled communicators with a deep love for the language, who appreciate their roots and embrace the world."
Our goal is to instil a lifelong passion for the mother tongue. We aim to develop proficient learners who do not just study the language for examinations, but who anchor themselves deeply in their cultural heritage and actively choose to use it as a living language in their daily lives.
Key Signature Programmes
1. Nurturing Lifelong Readers (Reading Programmes)
We believe that a love for language begins with a love for stories. Our structured reading programmes are designed to expose students to various literary forms and cultivate joyful reading habits early.
Early Sparks (P1 to P3): Dedicated reading periods and curated classroom activities immerse our younger students in vibrant worlds of literature, sparking their curiosity and love for their mother tongue at a tender age.
Term Break Holiday Programme: Learning doesn’t stop when the school term ends! During the holidays, we provide parents and students with curated storybook recommendations. We also offer an interactive platform where students can proudly share reviews and recommendations of the stories they enjoyed reading.
2. Mother Tongue Fortnight & Primary 3 Cultural Camp
Language and culture are inseparable. Our Mother Tongue Fortnight is a highly anticipated, immersive experience where students step away from textbooks to experience their own rich cultural heritage firsthand.
Hands-on Cultural Experiences: Rather than focusing on writing, this fortnight is entirely dedicated to authentic cultural immersion. Students participate in traditional crafts, cultural games, culinary appreciation, and performing arts.
P3 Cultural Camp: A special cornerstone of this initiative, the Primary 3 Cultural Camp provides an extended, interactive platform for our P3 students to dive deeper into their cultural roots through experiential team activities.
3. School-Based Competitions (Platforms for Talent)
We are committed to providing diverse platforms that cater to the varied interests and talents of our students, building their confidence and giving them a stage to shine. Our annual competitions include:
Penmanship Competitions (P1 to P3): Encouraging a pride in beautiful, neat handwriting from a young age.
Storytelling Competitions (P1 & P2): Bringing stories to life and building public speaking confidence in our lower primary students.
Reading Aloud Competitions (P1 to P6): Cultivating proper pronunciation, expression, and vocal clarity across all levels.
Composition Competitions (P4 to P6): Challenging upper primary students to unleash their creativity and express complex ideas through the written word.
Spelling Bees (Malay & Tamil Languages): An exciting, fast-paced arena for our ML and TL students to sharpen their vocabulary and spelling mastery.
4. Local and Overseas Learning Journeys
Learning extends far beyond the traditional classroom walls. Through curated local and overseas experiential journeys, our students experience their mother tongue and culture in vibrant, real-world contexts.
Local Cultural Immersions:
Chinese Language (CL): Our Primary 2 students participate in the annual Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES), where they enjoy live Chinese theatrical shows in a local theater, fostering an early appreciation for the performing arts.
Malay Language (ML): Students visit the Malay Heritage Centre to step back in time and revisit the rich history, culture, and traditions of the Malay community in an authentic, historical setting.
Tamil Language (TL): Students visit the heritage center during the Pongal Festival, immersing themselves firsthand in the vibrant celebrations, rituals, and cultural significance of the harvest festival.
Overseas Immersion Programmes (Primary 5): Our Primary 5 students are offered valuable opportunities to embark on overseas immersion trips. These journeys provide an authentic global arena where they can actively practice their mother tongue with native peers, build cross-cultural friendships, and develop a deeper global appreciation of their heritage.
Achievements
We take immense pride in the dedication and hard work of our students and staff. Some of our recent milestones include:
Malay:
2024 Piala Budiman Bestari (public speaking) 5th place
2024 S5 Cluster Storytelling Competition -1 X 2nd prize silver
2024 Piala Cendekia Sahibba (Scrabble) 1 x silver, 1 x bronze
Chinese:
2026 :
1. National Text Recital: 1 Silver 1 Bronze
2025:
1. National Text Recital: 2 Silver 2 Bronze
2. 18th YMCA MSA: 2 Semifinals (1 Certificate of Achievement)
3. MOO-O Chinese Award: Merit
2024:
1. National Text Recital Competition 2 Bronze
2. National Escape Room Challenge for Foundation Chinese: Gold
3. MOO-O Chinese Award: Silver
Tamil:
2025 Pyn Tamil Composition writing competition: First Prize
Contact Us
Ms Lin Jingya ( HOD / Mother Tongue)
lin_jingya@moe.edu.sg