Mother Tongue

Discover how Alexandra Primary School's Mother Tongue Languages programme builds language skills and cultural appreciation through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Last updated 13 July 2026

Mother Tongue Languages Curriculum

Orange flower diagram with "Joyful Learning Confident User" center, six petals showing learning strategies, ringed by Communication, Culture, Connect.

The Primary MTL Curriculum Framework

In Alexandra Primary School, the Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Department aims to nurture self-directed and lifelong learners who experience the joy of learning and become confident users of their respective Mother Tongue Languages. Grounded in the 2024 Primary MTL Curriculum Framework, our approach is designed to support students in developing language competence, cultural appreciation and values, and 21st-century competencies (21CC).

To achieve this, beyond the MOE MTL syllabus and Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, the MTL Department develops engaging and differentiated programmes that ignite joy in learning and help students attain proficiency in the four key language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Our curriculum is guided by the S.T.R.I.V.E. principles to ensure that learning is meaningful, progressive, and relevant to students' needs.

Strengthening development of skills and 21CC: Students are provided with opportunities to apply their language skills in authentic contexts, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively while developing global and cross-cultural literacy.
Tailoring content: Recognizing that students have different starting points, we adopt differentiated instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs and build confidence in language use.
Reinforcing learning: Language structures and vocabulary are systematically revisited through various platforms and activities, ensuring sustained mastery and application beyond the classroom.
Igniting joy in learning: Through interactive lessons, technology-enhanced experiences, and cultural immersion activities, students develop intrinsic motivation to explore and use their MTL.
Valuing students’ voice: Pedagogical approaches encourage active participation, allowing students to express themselves meaningfully and creatively in their Mother-Tongue Languages.
Empowering students: Formative assessments provide timely feedback, fostering student ownership of their learning journey and deepening their appreciation of their language and heritage.

Our MTL teachers are committed to creating a caring, safe, and stimulating learning environment, where students think critically, communicate confidently, and connect with their cultural roots. Through this holistic approach, we aspire to cultivate proficient, culturally rooted, and future-ready MTL learners.

Appreciating our Roots and Celebrating Diversity Celebration of Traditional Festivals

To help students value Singapore’s socio-cultural diversity, and promote social cohesion and harmony, the MTL Department organises interesting and meaningful activities to celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Racial Harmony Day, Mid-Autumn Festival and Deepavali. These activities allow students to have a better understanding of the other ethnic races’ culture and tradition and better appreciate the multi-racial and multi-cultural society in Singapore.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Students in red celebrate Chinese New Year with lion dance, crafts, food, and a musical performance in various school settings.

Hari Raya Puasa Celebration

Children in school uniforms celebrating Hari Raya, holding crafts, displaying lanterns, and presenting on a projector screen.

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

On 12 September 2024, students from MOE Kindergarten (MK) and Primary 1 to 4 levels, together with their family members, gathered in Alexandra Primary School to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The main objective of this major event is to provide opportunities for students to understand the origins and customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival and recognise its cultural significance to the Chinese community.

The department also wishes to promote the importance of parent-child relationship and enable students from different ethnic backgrounds to understand the core values of the Mid-Autumn Festival that revolve around harmony and unity.