Mother Tongue
Learning Mother Tongue @GESPS
In GESPS, the Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department is dedicated to crafting meaningful lessons and programmes that foster genuine and enjoyable learning experiences for our students. Our goal is to cultivate a love for learning and build confidence in language proficiency, while instilling an appreciation for their cultural heritage and traditions, alongside essential 21st century skills.
Students develop essential communication abilities encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing, both in informal conversations and formal discourse. Teachers play a pivotal role in guiding students to comprehend and value cultural materials, thereby enhancing their global and cultural awareness. Furthermore, the department actively creates opportunities for students to apply and refine their language skills in real-world contexts beyond the confines of the classroom.
Embracing all Students – Curriculum Customisation
At GESPS, we embrace students of diverse abilities by offering a range of programs tailored to their individual needs. The Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department provides various specialized programs, including:
Higher Mother Tongue Languages (P3-P6):
This programme is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in their Mother Tongue Language (MTL). It begins at the end of P2 and aims to further enhance students' linguistic abilities and fluency.
Support Programmes:
The Mother Tongue Support Programme (MTSP) is a two-year initiative specifically designed to support students who require additional assistance in developing their proficiency in MTL. Teachers within this programme are equipped with diverse teaching strategies and resources to effectively engage students and elevate their proficiency levels by the end of P4. Additionally, for students needing further support, the department offers a remediation programme targeted at selected individuals.
These programmes reflect our commitment to catering to the unique learning needs of all our students at GESPS.
Fostering the Joy of Learning – Special Programmes
To support GESPians to be active and proficient users of their Mother Tongue Languages, various programmes are designed to foster the joy of learning.
1. Young Reporters’ Programme (CL, ML & TL)
Young Reporters’ Programme is designed to develop students’ spoken interaction skills in their respective Mother Tongue Languages – Chinese, Malay and Tamil. During this programme, students are taught various reporting skills, such as script writing, hosting live reports and interviewing of students/teachers.
2. Museum Docent Programme (CL)
The Museum Docent Programme is a new initiative in collaboration with Anderson Secondary School and the Gan Heritage Centre. This programme aims to enhance our students' spoken interaction skills in the Chinese Language while educating them about Mr. Gan Eng Seng, the distinguished figure after whom our school is named.
Through this programme, students were trained in museum docent skills by Anderson Secondary School students. As part of their learning journey, our student docents from Primary 4 and 5 visited the Gan Heritage Centre, where they guided our Primary 3 and 4 Higher Chinese students through the legacy of Mr. Gan Eng Seng.
This enriching experience was also reported by our very own Young Reporters.
3. Mother Tongue Languages Fortnight
Mother Tongue Languages Fortnight is a two-week programme that provides students with various cultural experiences. Unique, thematic experiences are planned for students to embrace their own cultures and languages.
4. Conversational Chinese, Malay & Tamil Programme
Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) and Conversational Tamil (CT) Programmes are conducted as a Signature Programme in GESPS to encourage the connection between the diverse ethnic groups in the school for P3 to P6 students. Students are encouraged to learn basic conversational Chinese, Malay and Tamil so that they will be able to hold a simple conversation in authentic situations with native speakers. The ability to converse in another Mother Tongue language helps strengthen racial harmony and exposes the students to learning of a 3rd language.
5. Love for Reading
The library endeavours to foster a positive attitude towards reading and assist students in their educational journey. Our initiatives are designed to instill a lifelong love of reading, encouraging students to read for pleasure. We are committed to inspiring and nurturing a passion for reading among all our students. The library aims to encourage book borrowing and cultivate a genuine interest in reading through programmes like the Reading Superheroes and recess storytelling sessions. These sessions feature peer-led stories in various languages and creative formats like shadow puppetry.
6. Cultural Performance / Arts Exposure
The Department aims to expose students to cultural and language-related performances. This provides students with an immersive experience in the arts outside of the classroom.
