Mother Tongue Languages

Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Fortnight 2021

This year’s theme, titled, “Ties that Bind” showcases a variety of customs and traditions in Singapore, with special focus on our harmonious living environment through the beauty of our Mother Tongue language. The specially curated week-long showcase hopes to inspire joy and most importantly, a culture of care through the celebrations of our customs and traditions. 

Apart from exploring our mini museum in the learning hive, our MTL Fortnight teachers have also designed targeted activities for different groups and levels of students which includes poetry writing, colouring, video making and level-wide song dedication.

MTL Fortnight Opening Ceremony – Our vice-principals, Mrs Lau and Mr Chan cutting the ribbon to officiate the opening of MTL Fortnight 2021. The cutting of the ribbon symbolizes the 'opening' of something new, much like when a ribbon is cut from a nicely packaged gift before unwrapping. It builds anticipation with the promise of something exciting for everyone to ignite and immerse in our upcoming Mother Tongue Languages activities!

Exploring Our Mini Exhibition in the Learning Hive - We have the luxury of seeing these exhibitions in the comfort of our own school!	The Chinese Showcase – Uncover the dos and don’ts behind a cultural experience namely housewarming and wedding.
The Malay Showcase – The intricate paraphernalia behind a cultural event in the Malay society.	The Indian Showcase – Elegant and extravagant, the Indian cultural elements in this showcase highlights its meaningful significance.
Chinese Language Quiz – Students fervently attempting the quiz while experiencing the showcase.	Chinese Auspicious culture – An in-class experience to discover the wonders of Chinese Auspicious Culture -
Chinese Auspicious culture – A student designing an angbao with auspicious words and symbols	In-class experience for Sec 1 ML students - Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 students partake in different cultural activities to immerse themselves in the Malay culture. Secondary 1 students were given an in-class experience to analyse the interrelationship between flowers and Malay culture through songs, drawings and poetry. They identified various types of flowers that help to preserve the Malay culture whilst learning about its preservation in modern day, urban environment.
A peek at decorative motifs in ML culture for Sec 2 students - Secondary 2 students took part in a mindfulness session through colouring of Hari Raya greeting cards. The greeting cards, which reflected decorative motifs, allowed students to identify features in Malay heritage such as orchids, ketupat and batik. Students took the chance to show their use of flamboyant cultural colour palette in a level-based competition, which promised them exciting prizes.	Origami folding session for Sec 3 ML students - Secondary 3 students engaged in an origami-folding session related to Malay cultural costumes and outfit. The students folded intricate pieces of the Malay headgear, Tanjak, while learning the value of patience and embodying the traditions embodied in the practice of creating.
TL Show and Tell – Students eagerly sharing about the traditional costume in the Indian society
Rangoli Art – Having a go at Rangoli Art, a type of decoration usually drawn on the ground or sidewalk in front of a house.
We hope that our students have gained a deeper insight into their own culture and learn to appreciate them better. May these activities also raise our awareness on values and practicality of conversing in our own MTL in a real world context

Chinese New Year Celebration 2021

On 11 Feb 2021 (Thursday), the MTL Department organised the annual Chinese New Year Celebration on New Year’s Eve.

This was indeed a unique experience for all JWSS staff and students. Even though we were not able to celebrate in the hall like previous years due to the pandemic, but it was still memorable as we were able to celebrate in class with meaningful classroom activities. Some of the activities that were done include: making of sky lantern, writing wishes for our COVID-19 frontliners, donating items for the hampers which were given to school cleaners and the elderly from the NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre (Taman Jurong). 

Mr Michael hanging the lantern to kick off the Chinese New Year Celebration!

Our students enthusiastically posing for the camera during the Light Up Sky Lantern segment!	4E1’s class representative handing over the class hamper to the school cleaner, Mdm The, who has served the school 20 years.
Presentation of hampers to the cleaners and to the elderly from the NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre (Taman Jurong).	The elderly from the NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre (Taman Jurong) receiving hampers lovingly packed by the students of JWSS.

Chinese New Year Celebration 2020

In January, the MTL Department organised the annual Chinese New Year Celebration. In order to encourage more students’ participation this year, in-class activities were held for each level. These activities include lantern making, putting together a song item and making a video related to the celebration. Aside from these exciting activities, we also held our Chinese New Year Concert on New Year’s eve. We kicked off the concert with a Lion Dance outside the General Office, thereafter, a series of performance in the hall!

A festive drum performance to usher in the new year.	Our Secondary Three students and teachers putting up a song item!
Secondary Two students participating in the Chinese New Year Quiz Challenge.	Our teachers leading the sing-a-long session which was a highlight of the Chinese New Year concert.