Primary Four Mother Tongue Language Camp

Read about how Primary 4 students explored their Mother Tongue Languages through hands-on cultural activities, from bean drawing to Kolattam dance and batik painting.

Last updated on 26 August 2026

A young boy with glasses and a school lanyard works on a craft activity at a teal table with a printed worksheet.

Our school recently organised a Primary 4 Mother Tongue Language Camp on 24th April for our Primary 4 students. This annual event aimed to deepen their understanding of their respective Mother Tongue Languages, along with their associated cultures and traditions. The camp also aimed to foster the use of these Mother Tongue Languages in daily lives. Throughout the camp, students engaged in a variety of activities designed to enhance their language skills while exploring cultural elements and developing presentation and communication abilities. These tailored experiences provided authentic opportunities for students to use their Mother Tongue Languages beyond the classroom, strengthening their connection to their cultural heritage.

Two primary school students in uniforms work on a craft activity with small objects on a printed sheet with Chinese characters.

Two young students in yellow school uniforms work on a hands-on activity with seeds at a teal classroom table.

Our students taking Chinese Language enthusiastically participated in games such as guessing Chinese idioms and traditional scripts. They also explored bean drawing, a folk art form that incorporated elements of traditional Chinese painting, sculpting, and decorative arts.

A teacher stands at the front of a classroom with students at desks facing a large screen showing number 13.

Kai Ting shared that she found the language camp enjoyable. She enjoyed the creative aspect of drawing with beans.

Henry excitedly said, “I enjoyed the language game. I have learnt new idioms, which I can use in my daily conversations.”

A teacher stands at the front of a classroom with students at desks, presenting a Chinese lesson on a large screen.

A teacher stands beside a student near a screen showing a cartoon forest scene in a primary school classroom.

Meanwhile, our students taking Tamil Language showcased their creativity through 'Kolattam' dance performances. They also attended speech and drama workshops. They discovered that 'Kolattam' was an ancient Tamil folk dance where participants rhythmically beat the sticks together.

Five children in red and white uniforms practice a baton routine on a wooden floor indoors.

Six school children in red and white uniforms practice a stick routine on a wooden floor indoors.

Nirvein expressed pride in her heritage after participating in the dance, eagerly looking forward to sharing what she had learnt with her family.

“I have learnt so much about empathy, communication, and problem-solving through the role play. I am looking forward to put my knowledge into practice,” said Deeksha.

An adult in a yellow shirt faces four children wearing animal hats, posing in front of a green screen backdrop.

An adult man and three children in school uniforms raise their hands and open their mouths in an expressive activity indoors.

Our students taking Malay Language explored the world of batik painting and Gasing making. The batik painting experience introduced them to the art and cultural significance of batik. They also learnt about Gasing, a traditional Malay spinning top game. Mya found the batik painting experience awe-inspiring, expressing a desire to continue exploring it in the future. Danish enjoyed the thrill of spinning the top and testing his skills at keeping it going.

A girl with glasses paints a colorful floral design in a classroom with two other students in the background.

A young girl in a blue uniform carefully paints a colorful floral design on a leaf-shaped canvas in a classroom.

"Batik painting was awesome! I never knew I could create such beautiful designs. And spinning the top was so adventurous. I want to do it again next year and put my skills to practice during Art lessons," shared Mya.

Danish said, “I had so much fun spinning the top and seeing how long I could keep it going.”

Boy with glasses in red and white uniform holds a string attached to a small object indoors.

A boy with glasses smiles while working on a craft at a teal desk in a classroom with other children.

Two young girls in school uniforms sit at a teal desk, drawing on small round objects with markers in a classroom.

Through the Primary 4 Mother Tongue Language Camp, students gained a deeper appreciation for the diverse array of languages and cultures within their community. It was definitely an enriching learning experience that took place out of the classrooms!