Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Fortnight 2024

Explore highlights from MTL Fortnight 2024, where students took part in hands-on cultural activities to deepen their love for their Mother Tongue Languages.

Last updated on 27 August 2026

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.

Four children sit around a blue table using scissors to cut green herbs onto a round brown tray.

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.

Children sit cross-legged on a wooden floor holding bamboo angklung instruments during a music session.

Two Blangah Rise Primary School students work on blue and white batik fabric art at a newspaper-covered table.

Two children in school uniforms play with hoops using sticks on a wooden gym floor indoors.

Children in school uniforms taking turns hopping on a numbered hopscotch mat in an indoor gymnasium.

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.

Two girls in red-and-white school uniforms draw on large pink paper lanterns at a table in a classroom.

Two boys in a classroom use markers to draw on brown gourds at a desk with pens and markers.

Eight school children in orange and white uniforms stand on a balcony, each holding small handmade figurines.

Three students in aprons and gloves mix paint on a paper plate at a red-covered table in a classroom.

Two schoolgirls in green uniforms sit at desks, drawing on clear plastic sheets with pens.

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.

Two young schoolgirls sit on a floor working with clay slabs while other children sit in the background.

Children painting colorful artwork at a table covered with newspaper in a bright classroom.

A boy in a white and red shirt carefully works on a small glass jar at a table covered with newspaper.

A young boy wearing glasses decorates a dark red spoon with colorful markers at a blue desk.

A young girl in school uniform decorates a painted wooden spoon with a green marker at a blue desk.

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.