Mother Tongue

Our Mother Tongue Languages programmes nurture a love for language and culture through engaging and meaningful experiences that develop students' language skills and deepen their appreciation of their heritage.

Last updated 19 August 2026

Mother Tongue

Chinese Language Department

The six-year Chinese curriculum aims to enhance children’s oral, listening and writing skills. The department aims to inculcate in children a love and interest in the learning of Chinese Language through the use of Information Technology and differentiated learning in class. We also aim to nurture learners who are exemplary in character and devoted to the life-long learning of the Chinese Language and its culture.

Chinese Language Key Programme:

P2-P6 Modular Approach in Teaching and Learning

Parallel classes are formed for each level to better cater to the needs of the different learners. Teachers are able to customize their teaching to meet the different learning needs of the children.
All Primary 3 and 4 Chinese Language Higher and Middle Progressing classes will use Higher Chinese Textbook from 2022 onwards to stretch children in their learning of Chinese language.
MOE ABLE programme to support children who require additional support in the learning of Chinese Language for Primary 3 and 4 learners.

P1 to P6 Chinese Reading Programme and E-Zhishi Portal

As part of the department's efforts to encourage reading among children, children from the lower, middle, and upper primary levels subscribe to selected Chinese newspapers.
The department also promotes reading through our Chinese department class library programme, where teachers guide children in reading stories and news articles.
Primary 1 and 2 children are taking part in SOAR, a reading initiative by MOE. This programme motivates children to read aloud with their peers and complete a reading passport.

P1 to P6 School based Oracy programme

Reading:
The department places emphasis on training children to read aloud effectively, with the correct pronunciation and intonation.

Conversation:
The department also aims to develop children to become effective communicators through our six years spiral approach in the teaching of oracy conversation in the different levels.

Lower Primary: FAR Strategy
Question 1: Feeling + Action + Reason (FAR strategy)

Middle Primary: FAR + PEEL Strategy
Question 1: Feeling + Action + Reason (FAR strategy)
Question 2: (Point + Explain + Example + Link (PEEL strategy)

Upper Primary: FAR + PEEL + 1234 Strategy
Question 1: Feeling + Action + Reason (FAR strategy)
Question 2: (Point + Explain + Example + Link (PEEL strategy)
Question 3: 1234 (What can we do? + How can we do? Why? Outcome?)

P1 to P6 Writing Programme

The department's six years writing programme aims to develop children to become effective writers through our six year spiral approach in the teaching of composition writing in the different levels.

Lower Primary:
Primary 1: 3W Strategy
• Who + Where + What

Primary 2: 3W+1F Strategy
• Who + Where + What + Feeling

Middle Primary:
Primary 3:
• Step 1: Circle
• Step 2: Match the Keyword
• Step 3: 3W+1F Strategy

Primary 4:
• Step 1: Circle
• Step 2: Match the Keyword
• Step 3: 3W+1F Strategy
• Step 4: Predict the outcome

Upper Primary:
Primary 5 and 6:
• Step 1: Circle
• Step 2: Match the Keyword
• Step 3: 3W+1F Strategy
• Step 4: Predict the outcome
• Step 5: Feeling Meter (Descriptive Phrases)

P4 to P6 Letter Writing Programme

Children are taught how to identify the SVO during letter writing:

S ubject – who they are writing to
V ariable – when and where (e.g the date, time and place, etc)
O bjective – why the letter is written

Chinese Language Key Activities

Lunar New Year Celebration
The school celebrated Chinese New Year with a vibrant Lion and Dragon Dance performance, as well as a skit that highlighted various Chinese traditions. Children engaged in a range of classroom activities to deepen their understanding of the cultural significance of the holiday. Teachers also introduced children to traditional Chinese New Year foods and customs, helping them explore the meaning behind the festival. The blend of performances and interactive activities allowed everyone to fully immerse themselves in the festive spirit..

MTL Fortnight Activities
The Chinese Language Department organizes annual Mother Tongue Language Fortnight Activities, offering children at different levels unique opportunities to experience the Chinese culture. A variety of engaging activities were planned to allow children to explore and appreciate the beauty of the culture. These hands-on experiences not only deepened their understanding but also helped them develop a greater appreciation for the rich traditions and heritage of the Chinese language.

P1 to P6 Internal Competition
The MTL Department organizes termly internal competitions, providing children with a platform to showcase their talents in penmanship, storytelling, Kollam design, and creative writing. These competitions encourage children to express their creativity and skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for the mother tongue languages.

External Competition
Children in schools are given the opportunity to participate in various external competitions such as penmanship, story-telling and writing competitions.

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
All P1 to P6 children get to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at CCPS! They had hands-on experience to create their own lantern and learn about the legend behind this festival which signifies family reunion.

Malay Language Department

The Malay Language department aims to build the joy of learning the Malay Language so that our children develop the love and passion for the language and culture. The six-year Malay curriculum hones our children’s oral, listening and writing skills through ICT and differentiated learning which taps on various resources to help children read, write and communicate effectively. We also aim to inculcate knowledge and values so that our learners will be responsible citizens who are proud of their Malay heritage and culture.

Malay Language Key Programme:

P1 to P6 Malay Reading Programme

The Malay Language Department nurtures a love for reading through our class library programme. Primary 1 and 2 children are participating in SOAR, a reading initiative by MOE. This programme encourages children to read aloud with their peers and complete a reading passport. They are also introduced to various book genres through their class library and book exchanges. By the end of the year, each children will get to take home a book of their choice.<

For Primary 3 to 6 children, they engage with Gen-G, a biweekly Malay newspaper created for children. This not only broadens their vocabulary but also keeps them informed about global current events.

P1 to P6 School based Oracy programme

Reading
The department places emphasis on training children to read aloud effectively, with the correct pronunciation and intonation.

Conversation:
The department also aims to develop children to become effective communicators through our six years spiral approach in the teaching of oracy conversation in the different levels.

Lower and Middle Primary: 4P Strategy
Primary 1: 1P (What is in the picture?)
Primary 2: 2P (What is in the picture? + Feelings)
Primary 3: 3P (What is in the picture? + Feelings + Personal Experience)
Primary 4: 4P (What is in the picture? + Feelings + Personal Experience + Reason)

Upper Primary: 4PAS Strategy
Primary 5: 4P + Impact
Primary 6: 4P + Impact + Suggestions

Malay Department Key Activities:

Hari Raya Celebration
The school celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri annually with a hearty performance explaining the different customs of the Malay community such as the traditional custom of seeking forgiveness, our Hari Raya food and outfits. Through our Malay children’s involvement in skit and sing along performances, we are able to share with others the festive spirit of celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

MTL Fortnight Activities
The Malay Language Department has organized Mother Tongue Language Fortnight Activities annually. Children deepened their appreciation of Malay culture beyond the textbook while expanding their vocabulary. Each level participated in hands-on activities that brought cultural traditions to life. Primary 1 and 2 children enjoyed a 2D Kampung Colouring with Frame workshop, while Primary 3 children learned the art of basket weaving. Primary 4 children crafted their own Tanjak, a traditional Malay headdress. Primary 5 children explored clay-making, and Primary 6 children refined their artistic skills through Seni Khat (calligraphy). These engaging experiences helped children develop a deeper appreciation for Malay culture in an enjoyable and meaningful way.

External Competition
P3 to P6 children get the opportunity to participate in Peraduan Karya Minda Kreatif, which is a national writing competition aimed at cultivating the love of writing creatively in Malay language.

Tamil Language Department

We cultivate love for the language by using various hands-on language games and ICT tools to deepen their knowledge and to develop their interest in Tamil Language. We aim to equip our children with a strong foundation in listening, speaking, reading and writing. During the six-year curriculum, our reading programme stimulates their interest and improves their language literacy. Through stories, our children learn to appreciate our culture and the rich history of Tamil language.

Tamil Language Key Programme:

Tamil Reading Programme (P1-P6)

Children from Primary 1 to Primary 4 were given the chance to choose books that interest them. Through book exchanges with their peers, they are exposed to various genres. This programme fosters their curiosity and enhances their creativity in writing.

Primary 5 and 6 children subscribe to Tamil Murasu, which enriches their young minds through engagement with the news. This subscription provides children with the opportunity to read and learn about current global events. The knowledge gained from reading the newspaper can be applied in their oral assessments by relating current affairs to the given topics.

Show & Tell (P1 & P2)

Show and tell for the lower primary is a skill that the department focuses on, as speaking is a fundamental skill. Children are given a topic, and they work alongside their teachers and parents to come up with a short speech introducing themselves or their interests. This gives them an opportunity to practice their speaking skills in front of an audience.

Tamil Department Key Activities:

Deepavali Celebration
Our yearly Deepavali celebration is in line with the yearly themes. Assembly programmes and performances will be part of the celebration to educate everyone about certain important aspects of Deepavali. After the assembly programme, children get to engage in recess activities such as crossword puzzles on Deepavali. They get to see a detailed display of the Indian culture ranging from ornaments, food clothing and more. Children also receive an Indian delicacy to bring back home to share their learnings with their family members.

MTL Fortnight Activities
MTL Fortnight week is one where children eagerly look forward to the wide variety of activities arranged for them. The department carefully ensures that the activities are suitable and achievable for each respective level. The chosen activities allow children to create handmade items that reflect Indian culture, providing them with a tangible keepsake to bring home. This also gives children the opportunity to share their newfound knowledge and experiences with their peers and family, further deepening their connection to the culture.