During Mother Tongue lessons in Singapore, students attend one of three language classes based on their ethnic background. Chinese Singaporean students participate in Chinese classes, Malay Singaporean students join Malay classes, and Indian Singaporean students take Tamil classes. For those not enrolled in any of these classes, they can choose to spend their time in the library or remain in their classroom, enjoying some free time.
Feeling Sick and Stuck at Home from School I’ll keep this brief. I’m the complete opposite of those kids who fake being sick to get out of school. No matter how I’m feeling, I can never convince myself to stay home. I always worry I’ll miss out on something important or that my reason for […]
Truancy Concerns – Seeking Advice I’m a high school freshman and I’ve missed five days of school, two of which I think may be excused. I’m worried about the potential consequences I might face for truancy. What should I expect? What can happen to me? Since I’ve only missed a few days, what steps can […]
Feeling Anxious About Returning to School After a Month Away I haven’t stepped foot in school since January, right after the semester 1 exams wrapped up. The thought of going back is overwhelming because I know I have a mountain of tests and quizzes waiting for me, many of which I barely grasped before. As […]
It’s interesting to see how Singaporean schools approach language education with a focus on mother tongue. Having dedicated classes for Chinese, Malay, and Tamil not only helps students maintain their cultural heritage but also promotes bilingualism, which is an important aspect of Singapore’s identity. It also creates an opportunity for students to engage with their peers from different backgrounds, fostering understanding and respect for each other’s languages and cultures. For those who aren’t in mother tongue classes, it’s great that they have the flexibility to use that time as free time, as long as they are engaged in productive activities. How do you feel about the emphasis on mother tongue education in Singapore?