Mother Tongue Languages

Mother Tongue Languages

Bilingualism is at the core of the Singaporean national identity. It is important that our students learn MTL to as high a level as they can. We want every student to communicate effectively in their MTL, appreciate their cultural heritage, and connect with communities across Asia and the world.

In Mee Toh School, we offer three Mother Tongue Languages,  namely Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

Mother Tongue Languages Fortnight (MTLF)

MTLF aims to create an immersive environment for learning and appreciating Mother Tongue languages and Culture. During this annual event, students are engaged in fun and meaningful activities to deepen their love and appreciation of their roots. They experience their respective Mother Tongue Language as a ‘living language’ through authentic experiences such as learning to play traditional games, perform wayang kulit and discover songket. We provide authentic experiences for students to learn and apply their respective Mother Tongue Language skills through these activities.

Conversational Chinese and Malay Programme (CCM)

In Mee Toh School, CCM is offered to Primary 3 students as an enrichment programme to provide our students with opportunities to learn additional languages beyond English and their own Mother Tongue Languages. We endeavour to broaden their perspectives and nurture their joy of learning for languages and cultures. Students learn simple sentence structure and vocabulary and take part in conversations on everyday situations using the language. Through the programme, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. They also have opportunities to showcase their learning through performances during festive celebrations or commemoration of events.

Malay Language

The Malay Language curriculum in Mee Toh School is designed to lay a strong foundation in learning core language skills as well as develop a love for the language and culture. Through our integrated and engaging approaches, we hope our students will grow into self-directed individuals who possess the qualities of an ‘Arif Budiman” – a learned and cultured person who contributes positively to the society.

Highlights

'Baca Ria' (Extensive Reading Programme)

To instill the love for reading from a young age, our students are exposed to different reading materials. Supplementary activities are conducted to reinforce students' understanding of their reading. At the lower primary, students visit the library weekly to promote good reading habits and library etiquette. Students also share their current or favourite reads with their classmates. 

Chinese Language

Language Acquisition and Cultural Awareness & Appreciation forms the overarching approach for Chinese Language Learning in Mee Toh School. Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Oral Interaction and Written Interaction skills are integrated into daily language acquisition in the classroom teaching and learning, whilst Cultural Awareness and Appreciation programmes are conducted throughout the year to immerse students in the Chinese Culture.

Highlights

Language Acquisition Emphasis

The school places much emphasis on the development of critical thinking skill, oracy presentation as well as writing skills to equip our students to be confident and effective communicator. Different pedagogies and age-appropriate learning packages are designed to engage students in the learning of Chinese Language.

Love For Reading

Instilling the love of reading is an integral part of Chinese Language Learning. Our signature reading programmes [READ@MTL and “Dances with Books” (与书共舞)] are conducted from Primary 1 to Primary 6, and students at different levels are assigned and guided to read selected storybooks. The school has also embarked on digital reading to facilitate ease of reading and to encourage students to use screen time effectively.