Mother Tongue Languages
About the Department
The Mother Tongue Languages department seeks to nurture active learners and proficient Mother Tongue users who possess a global outlook. The department strives to cultivate in Orchidians a love for their Mother Tongue languages and cultures by immersing them in authentic learning environments and developing their language competencies through quality instructional programmes.
With the 4E framework, the department supports students’ learning through various platforms. We also adopt current yet authentic platforms that appeal to our students and which enable them to explore their creativity while deepening their knowledge of their Mother Tongue languages, especially in verbal communication and expressive writing.
More information here
Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Fortnight 2022
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OPSS celebrates the annual MTL Fortnight with novel and exciting activities that allow Orchidians to ignite their interest in the learning of their Mother Tongue Languages and cultures . The theme for 2022 is ‘Exploring Culture and Tradition Through Art’. Chinese Language and Malay Language students had the chance to do many activities, such as a Chinese puppet-making workshop, a virtual ‘Clay Making’ workshop, a Lantern-making and Riddles Festival, and a ‘Batik Wau Painting’ Workshop. Below are some photographs and reflections from the students.
I am glad to have participated in this year’s MTL fortnight activity (皮影戏，or the shadow puppets). In this activity, our mission was to put up a puppet show on the story of Journey to the West. When I heard from the teacher that we would be doing this activity, I felt extremely excited because I had never tried this before. From this activity, I learned that cooperation is very important as putting up the show requires a lot of teamwork. Other than teamwork, I also learnt to make shadow puppets as well as learnt about the story of Journey to the West.
-Pang Zhi Xuan (Orchis 4)
I had fun doing the ‘Wau Batik Painting’ activity. It was something I became interested in after going through the activity. My teacher showed a tutorial video before we started on the batik painting. Although I have passion in art, I was never really good at painting, but colouring the batik was easy and fun. I could also explore by blending the colours and it created a beautiful art piece. I would like to try doing it on a bigger piece if I had a chance to do this activity again in the future. This activity also has taught me the significance of Wau in the traditional Malay community back in the Kampung days.
-Ismaiza, Laelia-5
E-Reading Programme
In 2022, our department embarked on a new initiative for our MTL reading programme. Students are encouraged to read their online student newspapers on their personal learning devices, and take part in learning activities.
The Reading Programme aims to promote and inculcate a love of reading among students whilst enabling them to hone their analysis, reflection, and inquiry skills. The usage of their Personal Learning Device (PLD) is required for this programme thus encouraging students to be self-directed learners. Students log into their respective MTL portals to access the reading materials. After reading the intended text for the week, students are expected to answer some questions based on the articles.
Cultural Celebrations
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In 2022, we celebrated Chinese New Year with an online concert. Our talented performers from Wushu and Dance Club gave dazzling performances. Last but not least, who could forget our in-house Chinese drum performer, Brian Koh (Vanda-2), who brought down the whole celebration with his drum performance together with our three Malay students. This was indeed a cultural exchange performance too!
Hari Raya celebration
Hari Raya celebration was celebrated on 3 May 2022. Staff and students had the opportunity to celebrate this joyous occasion by watching a virtual Hari Raya concert. This concert was a combined effort put up by the ML students from the ML Stretch Programme and various CCA groups like the Dance Club, Drama Club and Media Tech Club. There were also ‘Celebrating Hari Raya’ Pull up banners which was put up at the foyer, loaned from the Malay Heritage Centre Singapore for students to learn about the celebration and festival of Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore.
I truly enjoyed the wonderful experience of being the emcee for the Hari Raya concert. The filming process was so much fun and pleasurable although it took us 2 afternoons to complete it. Donning the baju kurung too makes me appreciate the Malay culture more. There were many nostalgic moments, and I am glad to be given this opportunity to be part of the online Raya concert. I learnt how to work with new people, forge new friendships amongst friends from different levels and classes. Indeed, it was a fruitful and memorable learning experience for students and teachers.
-Izran, Vanda-5
This is the second year I took part in the virtual Hari Raya concert. It really surprised me how much work the students from the different CCA groups put in to produce the video. As a videographer, I learn that I need to be patient as it is not easy to record clips of actors and emcees before getting a perfect shot. Overall, I truly enjoyed the experience of a videographer and seeing the making of the concert right in front of me.
-Afiq, Vanda-7