Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Fortnight 2024

The MTL Fortnight in Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 3, aimed to inspire a passion for cultural learning among students and encourage them to recognise their ability to appreciate and experience their MTL as living languages in everyday life. The event featured a variety of activities designed to provide authentic and experiential opportunities for students to use their MTL, deepening their sense of belonging and understanding of their cultural roles.

For Malay Language, activities included calligraphy, traditional ensemble sessions with instruments like Angklung and Kompang, Wau kite coloring, and the making of Bunga Manggar and Rampai, which are commonly used in Malay weddings. Mozaffar, a Primary 1 student, particularly enjoyed coloring the Wau kites, expressing pride in his artwork. Puteri, a Primary 3 student, had fun playing traditional Malay games like hopscotch, while Nasiha, a Primary 4 student, felt a connection to her culture through the Bunga Rampai activity.

For Chinese Language, students participated in online quizzes, hands-on tasks, and activities like lantern painting and Chinese dye. These activities not only engaged students but also helped them appreciate the rich heritage associated with the Chinese language. Japheth, a Primary 5 student, enjoyed painting lanterns, feeling as if he were part of a real Chinese festival. Primary 1 student Matilda found clay modeling to be a creative and tactile experience, while Mr Chua, our Chinese Language teacher, noted that the students developed strong bonds and interacted comfortably in Chinese during these activities.

For Tamil Language, the activities included spatula painting with Indian arts like Kalamkari and Tribal patterns, clay pot making, and Pattachitra painting. Ameer, a Primary 6 student, found painting glass to be a soothing experience and learned about different Indian art motifs. Kishani, a Primary 3 student, enjoyed mixing colors and painting on a spatula. These activities allowed students to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the Tamil community.

Overall, the MTL Fortnight was filled with enriching cultural activities that made language learning fun and meaningful. It provided students with opportunities to connect with their cultural heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for their Mother Tongue Languages.