Mother Tongue Languages

Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department is dedicated to nurturing students in three key areas, laying a strong foundation for their growth and development:

Communication
By mastering the MTL, students acquire essential 21st Century Competencies for effective expression, building the groundwork for confident communication.

Culture
Through immersive cultural experiences, students develop a strong sense of pride and appreciation for the MTL culture, an    integral part of Singapore’s national identity.

Connection
By exploring their heritage, students strengthen their connections to their roots and build meaningful bridges to communities across Asia and the world.

Beyond the national curriculum, our department offers a variety of programmes and competitions to ignite a love for their Mother Tongue languages and foster a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.

Key Programmes:

MTL Fortnight

The MTL Fortnight provides students with opportunities to:

1. Understand the cultural significance of themes that align with their developmental stage and language proficiency.

2. Apply theme-related vocabulary through engaging cultural activities.

Chinese Department

Each year, themes such as "Traditional Games" or "Traditional Food" are brought to life through hands-on workshops, static displays, and interactive activities. These experiences build students' linguistic and cultural foundations while sparking curiosity and enjoyment.

Malay Department

1. Hands-on Activities for Cultural Learning:

• Through interactive, hands-on activities, students can immerse themselves in the Malay culture. Engaging in these activities helps students connect with the culture in a meaningful and enjoyable way, allowing them to see how traditions have evolved over time.

2. Connecting with Families:

• The program encourages students to bring knowledge home, allowing them to converse with family members and share what they have learnt. This helps to bridge the gap between school and home, ensuring that cultural traditions are kept alive within families and across generations.

3. Performance-Based Activities:

• Engaging in poetry recitals, skits, or role-playing activities encourages pupils to practice speaking Malay in a fun and confident manner. This informal setting removes the pressure of formal classroom learning and gives students the chance to experiment with the language.

• Students perform in groups or individually, which also promotes teamwork and peer motivation. Working with others encourages collaboration, helps build confidence, and makes the learning experience more dynamic.

4. Building Confidence in Using the Language:

• By participating in both cultural and language activities, students become more confident to use Spoken Malay in everyday conversations. They learn to speak with fluency and confidence in informal settings, which helps them transit to using the language in more formal situations.

Primary 1 Students learnt about the traditional Wau. Students will colour and cut out the Wau.	Primary 2 Students learnt about traditional games, Congkak and Capteh. They play together with their classmates.
Primary 3 Students learnt about the importance of pandan leaves and usages of the leaves in Malay culture.	Primary 4 Students learned about the importance of coconuts and explored traditional delicacies made using coconut.
Primary 5 Students learned Dikir Barat, including its basic rhythms, vocal techniques, and the importance of teamwork in performance.	Primary 6 Students learned basic Kompang skills and practiced listening to one another to produce beautiful, harmonious music.

Tamil Department

⮚ Embracing Cultural Identity

At South View, we believe that language is most alive when it is felt, heard, and tasted. Our Tamil Language department recently organized a series of immersive, hands-on activities designed to bridge the gap between textbook vocabulary and cultural identity. By integrating the rhythmic beats of the Parai and the aromatic world of Indian herbs and spices, our pupils are discovering that learning Tamil is a journey of the senses.

Competitions

Chinese Department

The level wide competitions provide students with opportunities to:

1.            Deepen their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

2.            Showcase their language skills through activities tailored to their developmental stage and language proficiency.

• Primary 1: Story-telling –  Cultivates active listening and nurtures expressive oral skills.

• Primary 2: Singing – Builds confidence and enhances tone and articulation through melodic expression.

• Primary 3: Text Recital – Strengthens reading fluency, pronunciation, and emotional expression.

• Primary 4: Letter Writing – Develops foundational writing skills and the ability to articulate thoughts clearly.

• Primary 5/6: Poetry Writing – Encourages creativity and appreciation for the beauty and rhythm of the Chinese language.

  These competitions not only enhance students’ language skills but also inspire them to value the richness of the Chinese language and its culture.

Malay Department

Spelling Bee Competition (Raja Eja):

The termly spelling bee competition is a great initiative to reinforce the vocabulary learned in the syllabus.

Key Features of the Raja Eja Competition:

1. Focus on Vocabulary:

   • The competition focuses on the vocabulary from the syllabus, ensuring that students are not just memorizing words, but also understanding their meanings and proper usage.

2. Active Learning:

   • By participating in the competition, students actively engage with the vocabulary, which helps them remember the words more effectively. The process of spelling and recalling the definitions reinforces both spelling and comprehension.

3. Healthy Competition:

   • The competition aspect motivates students to challenge themselves and perform to the best of their abilities. It creates a fun and engaging environment where students can take pride in their vocabulary knowledge.

4. Increased Confidence:

   • Students who perform well in the competition may gain confidence in their ability to use the vocabulary effectively, which can encourage them to use the words in their daily conversations and writing.

Encouraging Parental Involvement:

Parents are encouraged to support their children in learning spelling from the list given, which can further strengthen the vocabulary learning process.

Key Features of the Sahibba Competition:

The Scrabble competition challenged students to apply their vocabulary and spelling skills while thinking strategically in a competitive yet enjoyable environment.

Tamil Department

Shining Bright at the SG60 Cluster Tamil Language Competitions

We are thrilled to announce the stellar performance of our South View Primary School pupils at the recent W6 Cluster Tamil Language Competitions. This annual event brings together the brightest talents from schools within the W6 cluster to showcase their linguistic prowess, creativity, and deep-rooted love for the Tamil language.Our students rose to the challenge, demonstrating not only their mastery of the language but also the confidence and oratorical skills they have cultivated through their dedicated practice.

⮚     SV 80th Anniversary Competitions

 As South View Primary School marks its momentous 80th Anniversary, our Tamil Language department joined the festivities by hosting a series of vibrant competitions. These events weren't just about winning prizes; they were a heartfelt tribute to eight decades of learning, growth, and community spirit at South View. Our pupils took center stage, using their linguistic skills to share their personal stories and their deep connection to the school we call home.

3. Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES)

The Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES) provides students with opportunities to:

1. Experience cultural performances by local and international arts groups, fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness of diverse cultures.

2. Enjoy authentic theatre experience by attending performances in professional theatre settings, enhancing their understanding of the performing arts.

Page last updated: 16 April 2026