Mother Tongue

Vision

Every Rvian is to be an effective and confident communicator in their Mother Tongue Language, with a deep appreciation of and love for their cultural heritage.

Mission

• To provide an engaging, innovative, and values-driven Mother Tongue curriculum that promotes language proficiency and cultural appreciation.

• To develop confident and effective communicators

• To instil moral values and identity through the learning of language and culture.

Mother Tongue Language Curriculum Framework

The 2024 Primary MTL Curriculum framework describes our aim for MTL Learners to experience the joy of learning MTL that will help them to be confident users through three curricular goals:

1. Language Competence- Students are equipped with foundational language knowledge, skills and strategies to ensure effective communication.

2. Culture & Values- Students are equipped with essential moral values and are able to appreciate their own MTLs, culture and traditions; and

3. 21CC- Students are equipped with the foundational socio-emotional competencies and competencies such as civic, global and cross-cultural literacy as well as critical, adaptive and inventive thinking.

Key Programmes

Mother Tongue Language Fortnight

The two-week Mother Tongue Language Fortnight aimed to integrate language learning with cultural rediscovery through fun and meaningful experiences. Students were engaged in a variety of activities rooted in different cultures, nurturing their cross-cultural literacy and appreciation for linguistic diversity.

Through these activities, students not only enhanced their language skills in their respective Mother Tongue Languages but also deepened their understanding of various cultural perspectives, customs, and traditions, while developing compassion, respect, and sensitivity towards people from diverse backgrounds.

Festival Celebration

In RV, we celebrate Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Celebration, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Deepavali to promote cultural appreciation and unity among students. Through engaging activities such as traditional performances, craft-making, and festive storytelling, students gain insights into the unique customs and values of each ethnic community. These celebrations foster respect for diversity, intercultural understanding, and collaborative skills, aligning with our goal of nurturing 21st Century Competencies (21CC) such as global awareness, communication, and civic literacy.

Reading Programme @ RV

The Reading Programme @ RV aims to inspire Rivians to cultivate a lifelong love for reading Mother Tongue Language (MTL) books. It encourages students to read for both enjoyment and knowledge acquisition, while also enhancing their language proficiency.

To support the development of comprehension and communication skills, the programme integrates a variety of Thinking Routines. These routines guide students to think deeply about the texts they read and express their ideas more clearly and confidently during discussions and sharing sessions.

Collectively, these initiatives aim to build a vibrant and inclusive reading culture at RV, where students are empowered to read with purpose, think critically, and communicate effectively in their Mother Tongue Languages.

(i) Lower Primary Guided Reading Programme

To nurture early reading habits, 30 minutes of MTL curriculum time is set aside weekly for Lower Primary students. During this time, students engage in guided reading and library-based activities. This structured exposure helps to instil positive reading habits from a young age and enhances their MTL language skills through regular practice.

(ii) 故事爸爸妈妈 (Storytelling by Dads and Mums)

Once a month, during recess, parents of Primary 1 to 4 students are invited to the library to share Chinese stories with students. This initiative strengthens school–home partnerships and fosters a supportive reading culture by encouraging parental involvement in students’ language development.

(iii) Thursday Tales – MTL Story Sharing

During even week of Thursday morning assemblies, selected Rvians take on the role of storytellers by introducing and reciting engaging MTL stories to their peers. This platform empowers students to share their favourite stories, build confidence in oral communication, and develop a deeper appreciation for MTL literature.

MTL Cultural Camp and MTL Theatre Experience

Our MTL Cultural Camp and Theatre Experience programme offers meaningful opportunities for Rvians to explore the MTL culture in an engaging and immersive environment. Through a blend of hands-on activities and live performances, the programme aims to deepen students’ appreciation of their Mother Tongue Language (MTL) and its cultural roots.

Chinese Textbook Recital Competition

Class recital competitions are held for all Primary 1 and 2 students, while selected students from Primary 3 to 5 take part in the National Text Recital Competition. These competitions aim to strengthen students’ Chinese language skills, especially reading and appreciation of Chinese texts from their textbooks. They also inspire a love for the language. Beyond language skills, the competitions help students build confidence and speak clearly, boosting their communication abilities and self-esteem.

Chinese Speech and Drama

The Speech & Drama Course is specially designed based on the MOE Chinese syllabus from 欢乐伙伴 and integrated into the Primary 2 Chinese curriculum. It aims to nurture confident and articulate speakers by helping Rivians develop key skills in storytelling, poetry recitation, and acting. Through this engaging course, students also strengthen their creativity, communication, and collaboration—essential 21st Century Competencies (21CC). The programme culminates in a short musical performance for Primary 1 students, providing an authentic platform for students to showcase their talents and build self-confidence.