Mother Tongue
We aim to develop our students into confident and competent speakers and users of their Mother Tongue Languages - Chinese Language, Malay Language and Tamil Language – and as users with a love and an appreciation of their own culture and traditional values. The teachers work together to create a fun and interesting learning environment for students to foster their interest and passion for the language and culture.
Key Programmes
School Based Reading Programme
Our school-based reading programme seeks to cultivate joy and interest in reading story books in the Mother Tongue Languages. This would enhance students’ appreciation for the language.
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Conversational Chinese & Malay Programme
The Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) programme aims to strengthen Singapore’s multi-racial compact and is available to students who are unfamiliar with the Chinese Language or Malay Language. Through modular and topic-based online lesson units over 5 days, students learn to converse in the language.
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Enhancing An Understanding Of Cultures
The learning of culture and of languages are linked. As we learn a language, we learn more about their culture. Learning a culture too is aided when, you can communicate in the language. To that end, IJOLN annually plans programmes to help our students better understand cultures – that linked with the language they are studying as their Mother Tongues as well as others.
Festive Celebrations
 | Chinese New Year celebration |
 | Hari Raya celebration |
 | Deepvali celebration |
The Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Fortnight
This takes place in Term 3 and provides opportunities for all students to actively understand and appreciate the different cultures linked to the various Mother Tongue languages they and their friends learn in school. Through a wide range of fun and interactive activities, students get opportunities to use their MTL and experience the cultures.
 Students made their |  Students having |  Students learning the Kolattam dance, |
Attending performances
Where possible, students are provided with opportunities to watch performances. Through enjoying the performances put up by local and foreign arts groups, students enjoy language and culture in a different environment.
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In 2023, P2 Chinese Language learners had the opportunity to watch a live performance entitled “Cinderella” at the National Library Drama Centre. | |
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The P2 and P3 Malay Language learners watching a performance. | |
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The P2 Tamil Language learners had the opportunity to watch live performances at the India Heritage Centre. | |
Combined IJ Schools Tamil Language and Cultural Camp
To foster greater camaraderie among the 7 CHIJ primary schools, the Tamil Language teachers collaborate to organise an annual fun-filled Tamil Language and Cultural Camp for all Tamil Language students. During this annual event, the students and teachers come together to learn more about their culture and build bonds of friendship.
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