Mother Tongue Language
Mother Tongue Languages
Vision
Developing effective bilingual communicators
Mission
To nurture self-directed learners who can exercise metacognitive reflection on own learning and seek self-improvement, to become proficient users of their respective Mother Tongue Languages (MTLs).
Key Approaches
Excite: In the MTL classrooms, students’ learning will be activated, so that they are excited, aware and eager to learn.
Engage: Students are engaged to learn actively as they enjoy and learn optimally with their teachers and peers in seamless Blended Learning experiences.
Empower: Students are empowered to own and self-direct their MTL learning based on their readiness and interest. They can also use and apply acquired MTL content and skills to serve and advocate for the causes they believe in (e.g. ALP – GreenMakers@Dazhong), and leading their peers, school and the community to be part of the movement. All of which are anchored on strong school and CCE values.
Peaks of Excellence
2022 National Calligraphy Competition
This is an annual competition organised by Fo Guang Shan. It aims to promote the culture and arts of calligraphy in Singapore and help raise students’ interest in Chinese calligraphy.
Our school was awarded the Mass Participation Award in 2022 as more than 70 students from our school participated in the competition. Our school has received two Culture Awards and 4 students Advanced to the Finals.
The following students had done our school proud:
Name | Class | Award |
---|---|---|
Chung Sunha | 4A | Culture Award/ Advanced to Finals |
Nguyen Duc Huy | 5A | Culture Award/ Advanced to Finals |
Chen Mei Tong | 3P | Advanced to Finals |
Qiu Sheng Jie | 3R | Advanced to Finals |
2021 National Calligraphy Competition
This is an annual competition organised by Fo Guang Shan. It aims to promote the culture and arts of calligraphy in Singapore and help raise students’ interest in Calligraphy.
Our school was awarded the Mass Participation Award in 2021 as more than 50 students from our school participated in the competition. Our school won the Overall Champion (Gold Award), Culture Award and 6 Consolation Prizes.
The following students had done our school proud:
Name | Class | Award |
---|---|---|
Ju Yu Xuan | 6A | Overall Champion (Gold Award) |
Mercado Edward Josef Rosario | 4R | Culture Award |
Sua An Kai Mungkorn | 2A | Consolation Prize |
Chew Xin Yu | 2P | Consolation Prize |
Chang Han | 3A | Consolation Prize |
Ong Yu Yan | 6P | Consolation Prize |
Ong Zi Xuan | 6A | Consolation Prize |
Shi Yifan | 6A | Consolation Prize |
Calligraphy Competition 2021
Ju Yu Xuan from 6A had done our school proud with the following achievements:
Name of Competition | Organiser | Achievement |
---|---|---|
National Chinese Calligraphy Competition 2021 | Hong Wen School & Hong Wen Alumni | Category One, First Prize |
2021 N Cube National Chinese Calligraphy Competition | Passion Arts and Braddell heights Community Club | Pen Calligraphy Category, Primary School Group, First Prize |
2021 32nd National Student’s Chinese Calligraphy Competition | The Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore | Primary School Group , First Prize |
National Chinese Calligraphy Competition 2021 | Hong Wen School | Category A, First Prize |
Ngee Ann National Students’ Calligraphy Competition 2021 | Ngee Ann Cultural Centre | Primary School Category, Top Winner - Gold Award |
10th National Primary & Secondary School Chinese Calligraphy Competition | Poi Ching School | Primary School Category, First Prize |
5th Text Recital Competition for Primary Schools 2022
This is an annual competition organised by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning. It aims to strengthen students’ ability to read and recite Chinese texts, stimulate students’ enthusiasm and interest in learning Chinese and deepen students’ understanding of the texts. Our schools was awarded with 3 Silver Awards and 7 Bronze Awards in the Individual and Group categories.
The following students had done our school proud:
Name | Class | Award |
---|---|---|
Ong Jia Xuan | 3A | Silver Award |
Soon Kai Lin | 3A | Silver Award |
Sherlyn Haw Pei Ting | 5A | Silver Award |
Qiu Sheng Jie | 3R | Bronze Award |
Gabriel Jiang Jinhao | 3A | Bronze Award |
Go Kai Zhe | 4A | Bronze Award |
Chang Han | 4A | Bronze Award |
Tham Yi Jie | 4A | Bronze Award |
Kuay Yu Hang | 5A | Bronze Award |
Ye Kai Yi | 5A | Bronze Award |
4th Text Recital Competition for Primary Schools 2021
This is an annual competition organised by the Committee To Promote Chinese Language Learning. It aims to strengthen students’ ability to read and recite Chinese texts, stimulate students’ enthusiasm and interest in learning Chinese and deepen students’ understanding of the texts.
Our school was awarded with 2 Silver Awards and 6 Bronze Awards.
The following students had done our school proud:
Name | Class | Award |
---|---|---|
Go Kai Zhe | 3A | Silver Award |
Li Xinyue | 3A | Silver Award |
Tham Yi Jie | 3A | Bronze Award |
Chang Han | 3A | Bronze Award |
Kuay Yu Hang | 4R | Bronze Award |
Huang Liming | 4P | Bronze Award |
Liu Yiyang | 5A | Bronze Award |
Liu Qi Heng | 5A | Bronze Award |
7th National Primary School Picture Book Creation Competition 2021
This competition is organised by Nan Hua Primary School annually. It aims to provide pupils with the opportunity to work collaboratively and develop their creative writing skills.
Through this competition, students were given an opportunity to express their creativity whilst learning the concepts at home during the Circuit Breaker period. Our students were able to display resilience despite not being able to interact face to face with the teachers for guidance. Teachers used platforms such as WhatsApp and Padlet to connect with the students, in order to guide and scaffold the processes for them. Ultimately, our students were self-directed and exhibited both responsibility and excellence.
Liu En Tong (6A), Liu Qi Heng(6A), Wan Po Jing (6A), Tan Tze Zun (6A) , Chong Jing Wen (6P), had done our school proud. Their entry emerged as the Best Story Award in this competition.
6th National Primary School Picture Book Creation Competition 2020
This competition is organised by Nan Hua Primary School annually. It aims to provide pupils with the opportunity to work collaboratively and develop their creative writing skills.
Achievements
Two Bronze Awards and one Best Story Award
Through this competition, students were given an opportunity to express their creativity whilst learning the concepts at home during the Circuit Breaker period. Our students were able to display resilience despite not being able to interact face to face with the teachers for guidance. Teachers used platforms such as WhatsApp and Padlet to connect with the students, in order to guide and scaffold the processes for them. Our students also needed to juggle both schoolwork and producing the comic book. They were self-directed and exhibited both responsibility and excellence as well as the spirit of Dare to Lead.
They were awarded with two Bronze Awards and one Best Story Award.
Bronze Award
Group 1 (Guided by teachers: Mdm Yap Lay Hong and Mdm Chen Li Qin ) (1) Ju Yuxuan (6A) (2) Hee Kit Kei (6A) (3) Shi Yifan (6A) (4) Emelia Soh (5A) (5) Karis Goh (6R)
Bronze Award
Group 2 (Guided by teacher: Miss Lin Mei Ling) (1) Charmaine Tok Ke Ying (6A) (2) Chong Kaitlyn (6A) (3) Wang Shixuan (6P) (4) Chen Jia Jun (6P) (5) Wong Ying Kee (6A)
Best Story Award
Group 3 (Guided by teachers: Mdm Yap Lay Hong and Mdm Chen Li Qin) (1) Ong Yu Yan (6A) (2) Soh Yarapa (6A) (3) Lai Jia En (5A) (4) Tong Cheng Han, Donna (6R 2020) (5) Scarlett Wan Ying (6A)
‘ Pentas Radio ’ Competition 2021
‘Pentas Radio’ Competition is organised by A’art Repertoire Theatre in Conjunction with Bulan Bahasa 2021. It helps to recognise students’ talents in acting & encourage students to embrace the Malay Language in their daily lives.
Four students (1) Nur Irdina Bte Mohd Sani (5E), (2) Sofia Bte Saharudin (5A), (3) Qysz Adreanna Bte Abdullah (5P), (4) Mohammed Rezky Bin Yasser (5P) had done our school proud by emerging 2nd place in Radio Drama Acting.
Ops Tulis- karangan Story Cube 2021
This Competition aims to recognise students’ talents in writing & encourage students to embrace the Malay Language in their daily lives.
The following students participated in this competition: (1) Nur Ilyana Falisha Binte Azlan (3I), (2) Nurbellasari Binte Mohamad Sadikin (3P), (3) Ashaz Zakariyya Ibnu Muhammad Nazmi (3E), (4) Sahrulnizam Bin Sahril (3E), (5) Mohamed Qasim Bin Mohamed Fareq (5R), (6) Darynn Ritzha Bin Ritzni Nashrin (5P), (7) Aleesya Binte Abdullah (5I), (8) Ameera Binte Abdullah (5R).
Vasantham Super Kids 2021
Vasantham Super Kids (கற்க கசடற) was a national level Tamil quiz competition organised by MediaCorp Vasantham in December 2020. Five of our Primary 5 students (1) Sivababu Deeptika (5A), (2) Govindaraj Nikithaa (5A), (3) Rajakumar Rahini (5A), (4) Gundre Daivik Reddy (5A) and (5) Kumar Naavalan (5P) did our school proud by emerging as 1st Runner-up in this competition.
This informative show aims to be an all-round development programme for children through fun and exciting games and activities. There were a variety of rounds in the show and the level of difficulty increased as the game progressed. Two schools in each episode went through a series of questions covering Science, Maths, General Knowledge, Tamil and others.
During this competition, our students put in concerted effort to overcome challenges with strong perseverance. They displayed self-directed learning and other school values.
Bharathiyaar Centennial 2021 Colouring Competition
Six students from Primary 1 to Primary 3 participated in Bharathiyaar Centennial 2021 colouring competition which was organised by Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Center in June 2021. This competition aims to help students appreciate Tamil poets and poems/songs.
Sudarsanan from 1 Integrity received 2nd prize in Primary 1 category. Thanushri from 3 Acceptance received 1st prize for Primary 3 category.
Our students put in lots of effort, and we would also like to thank the parents for their continual guidance and support towards this competition.
Department Programmes
Cultural Appreciation Programmes
Mother Tongue Fortnight Programme (MTFP) 2022
MTFP Part 1 - Chinese New Year (CNY) 2022 and Cultural (Art) Appreciation
The MTFP Part 1 cum 2022 CNY Celebrations was organized by the Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department.
In 2022, the programme was designed, in collaboration with other departments, with age-appropriate activities that were aligned to the school’s new focus and directions. Students were engaged and empowered to put into action their will to support a sustainable environment, while learning about the cultural aspects of CNY.
During the four-day programme (26 to 31 Jan 2022), the Cultural (Art) Appreciation activities during MTL lessons and eve of CNY, students made handicrafts with recycled materials, via SLS lesson packages.
Through these activities, students exhibited self-directed learning, responsibility and acceptance. Their perseverance and aim for excellence led them to create creative artifacts.
Students also had opportunities to exhibit the attributes of being concerned citizens and serving leaders for the community, by participating in the fundraising for the Lions Clubs of Singapore.
Mother Tongue Fortnight Programme (MTFP) 2022
MTFP Part 2 - Racial Harmony Day
The objective of the 2022 MTL Fortnight Part 2 programme was to develop appreciation and love for learning one’s Mother Tongue Language.
The school celebrated Racial Harmony by learning more about traditional art, cultivating students’ understanding of the cultural stories behind the traditional art, and applying MTL language to celebrate the cultural diversity in Singapore. We also wanted to celebrate the diversity of ethnic cultures and emphasize the importance of Racial Harmony Day. This will serve to enhance our school Racial Harmony and cultural interaction index.
We also hoped that besides understanding and appreciating their own culture and language, our students would be more motivated to love and care for our environment too.
Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES) 2022
Under CPES (CL), schools can choose Chinese performances suitable for students from the recommended plays. Students can go out of school and enter the theatre to enrich their theatre experience, so that students can feel the charm of Chinese theatre and experience the beauty of culture and Chinese.
Our school seeks to evoke in pupils a deep interest in the learning of the Mother Tongue language through enabling them to appreciate the beauty of cultural performances. Through CPES, pupils are provided with opportunities to be exposed to the different ethnic cultures through folk songs, poetry recitation, storytelling based on classics, theatre experiences etc. Through these cultural activities, the school seeks to enable the pupils to appreciate the beauty underlying each language and hence enthuse them to further seek to deepen their learning of the language.
For CPES (ML), the Malay Language students had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Malay community through an Angklung performance and learning to play the instrument.
The students were introduced to the unique Malay musical instrument made of bamboos. They learnt that a performance will not do with only a single Angklung player as the instrument produces only a singular note on its own. Through this interactive programme, the students not only learn to appreciate Angklung music better by playing the instrument in a hands-on session, they also learnt the beauty of team work as they produce harmonious melodies as a group.
MTL Cultural Camp 2022
MTL Cultural Camp is one of the platforms to encourage students to appreciate their own language and culture and also have exposure to other MTL and traditional cultures. The programme seeks to promote the usage of MTL and cultural appreciation in an authentic setting.
In 2022, we introduced traditional chess to all P4 students, by learning about the history and theory of traditional games, appreciating traditional culture, and doing hands-on activities such as sls quizzes and chess play.
MTL Cultural Camp 2021
MTL Cultural Camp is one of the platforms to encourage students to appreciate their own language and culture and also have exposure to other MTL and traditional cultures. The programme seeks to promote the usage of MTL and cultural appreciation in an authentic setting.
In 2021, we introduced shadow puppet to all P4 students, by learning about the history and theory of shadow puppet, appreciating live puppet shows, and doing hands-on activities such as making shadow puppets and acting out the character.
Other Festive Celebrations
Chinese New year Celebration 2023
The theme of our Chinese New Year’s celebration was ‘Dare to Shine’ New Year. Our students were encouraged to perform acts of kindness for others, while celebrating the Dare-To-Learn spirit. This is in line with the launch of “Shine On! 85 Acts of Kindness” in Term 1.
One week prior to Chinese New Year, our students had the opportunity to learn more about the festival through various cultural activities, while doing their part for the environment and the community. These included a SLS lesson for students to observe and document what they see, hear, smell, touch and taste during this festive season. Through this activity, they honed their self-directed learning skills by exploring, documenting and reflecting on what they learnt about the festival. Students were also engaged in cultural activities during their CCE lessons, such as the making of red packets using recyclable items.
Our CNY concert was held on 19 January 2023 in the school hall where students watched the Chinese New Year concert live! Our partners - the School Advisory Committee (SAC) members and the seniors from Lion Befrienders also joined us in this joyous occasion.
Before the concert, our SAC members and Parent Support Group (PSG) members, planted trees in our school. This event kickstarted our school’s 85th Anniversary celebrations. It was also our way of showing kindness to the environment. The entire process was recorded and showcased during our CNY concert, so that our students would be aware and further inspired to care and be advocates for the Green Movement.
Students also had the opportunity to exhibit the attributes of being concerned citizens and serving leaders for the community, by participating in the fundraising for the Lions Clubs of Singapore.
This was indeed a meaningful and joyous occasion for all in Dazhong!
Hari Raya Celebration 2022
Hari Raya is celebrated annually to advocate the culture of acceptance, especially amongst the different racial groups. The celebration focused on cultural appreciation and creating a sense of awareness in students to promote racial harmony through cultural activities. It is also an opportunity for the staff and students to inspire one another to celebrate in a sustainable way.
With these in mind, the celebration was intentionally designed for students to be inculcated with the dispositions of being self-directed learners, concerned citizens and serving leaders.
The key aim of the Hari Raya Celebration to excite the students with pre-celebration activities and the programme on that day, so as to engage them to learn and understand the Malay culture, and empower them to celebrate the festival in a sustainable way, just like how the school celebrated CNY earlier in the year, through Dare to Eidspire video and activities.
With this, the enduring understanding of celebrating all festivals in an inspiring manner through sustainability is inculcated among our students.
Deepavali Celebration 2022
Our theme for Deepavali 2022 is ‘The Inspiring Musical’. Students and teachers worked together to produce a musical, which educated students and staff about the festival, while driving the message of celebrating the festival in a sustainable fashion.
As Green Makers, our students used recycled materials to design Diya, Thoranams and cards to appreciate bus captains, during their CCE lessons. Students also participated in various recess booth activities to learn more about Deepavali. The booths were managed by selected P3-P6 students. This sharpened their leadership skills and oratorical skills. The school also had a mass assembly and celebrated Deepavali in the hall.
The Dazhong family certainly gained a better understanding about Deepavali through our celebration. This then would empower everyone to practice the value of Acceptance in our speech and actions and uphold the peace and harmony in the nation. Dazhong, Dare to Inspire!
The MTL Reading Programme 2022
Aligned to school vision and mission, our department implemented The MTL Reading Programme 2022, which consisted of a series of reading activities throughout the year for all students. We aimed to 1) excite, engage and nurture students’ love and interest for MTL languages so as to establish a strong foundation for continual learning; 2) develop students’ awareness of practising their self-directed learnings while developing the habits of reading MTL books; 3) cultivate critical readings skills and empower them to share good reads with peers; 4) broaden students’ language skills and hone SEL and 21st CC skills; 5) cultivate students to be serving leaders to advocate peers or younger readers; 5) strengthen students’ links to our Asian heritage so that they are aware and can better appreciate our cultures as a concern citizen.
The reading activities were:
a) Reading Corner @ Classroom
During the MTL library periods, our teachers encouraged students to choose their favourite MTL storybooks from the library. These books were loaned and used to set up the MTL Classroom Library Corner in each MTL class. Two MTL student librarians from each class were appointed to monitor the loan of these story books. Books at the MTL Classroom Library Corner were refreshed once every term.
b) I Read and I Wonder
Our teachers recommended a series of interesting storybooks via video and post them on the “I Read and I Wonder” Padlet Page: https://padlet.com/dzpsofficial/Chinese_Story.
Students could borrow these books in the library and after they read the books, they could complete reading activities such as making bookmarks, drawing their favourite characters or scene, drawing comics, designing posters to share a good read.
c) A1 Got Talent
Students had the chance to showcase their talents, such as performing short skits, choral reading and role playing, based on the MTL books they read. A1 Got Talent was conducted as post-exam activities during Term 2 and 4 via SLS or in the classrooms.
d) Read With You
Selected P4 to P6 students recorded themselves reading a storybook and posted the videos on the “Read With You” Padlet page, for the P1 and P2 students to access. These videos were broadcasted in the library and canteen during recess for our P1 and P2 students. For each of these videos, QR codes will be generated and attached inside the books.
Learn for Life Programme (LLP) 2022
Speech and Drama
In 2022, we planned to provide opportunities and resources to build joyful learning experiences during the Mother Tongue Language lessons. Based on the chosen curriculum from P1 to P6, Mother Tongue Language teachers used costumes and props in class for students to role-play the scenes they read in the text passages. These lessons were designed for students to deepen their understanding of history and culture through the cultural experiences. With these joyful learning experiences and a firm foundation in Mother Tongue Language, every Dazhong student will be motivated to have a better understanding of their own Mother Tongue Language.
Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM)
During Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) lessons, student would acquire a basic understanding of how to speak the two target languages in less formal situations. At the end of the course, students would be able to hold simple conversations in various common situations with a native Chinese Language or Malay Language speaker. CCM also aims to bridge the divide between the languages and strengthen racial harmony.