A Fortnight Dedicated to the Appreciation of our Mother Tongues

Read on to find out how students celebrated their mother tongues through crafts, competitions, and cultural activities during the 2021 Mother Tongue Language Fortnight.

Last updated 30 April 2026

The Mother Tongue Language Fortnight (MTLF) organised by the Mother Tongue Department took place between 29 March and 9 April 2021. This year’s MTLF comprised a series of activities ranging from online sharing sessions by experts, craft-making and asynchronous lessons to poetry and essay competitions, all with a focus on the respective MT languages and culture.

Much thought was put into curating the activities so that students would find the programmes engaging on all levels. One of the more light-hearted segments was a fun video on translation errors put together by the J2 H2 Translation students for the H1 Chinese Language students. Other modules for the Chinese Language students included a review on recommended movies, and a sharing on Cantonese culture which, to the delight of students, ended with a tasting of a traditional Cantonese pastry – Laopo Bing, or Wife Cake.

The Malay Language students brought out their creative side as they organised a poetry writing competition as a follow up to the Dikir Barat enrichment module. For the Tamil Language students, activities included writing a review for a short story, designing a traditional lamp as well as bonding with their classmates over Thinnai Vilaiyaatu, a multi-player game typically played on the veranda of traditional houses.

The activities were carried out during curriculum time in the individual classes to keep to the requirements of the Safe Management Measures. Despite this constraint, students thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with their classmates while learning about the different cultures.

The annual event concluded on a creative note with a lesson on traditional ethnic arts to engage all J1 students during the Civics period.

Students wearing face masks sit at desks in a classroom, holding up bread rolls and smiling at the camera.

All smiles after receiving a Laopo Bing each

Students wearing masks sit at desks in a classroom watching a projected video on a large screen.

Students eagerly waiting for the next quiz question

Students sit at desks in a classroom facing a projected presentation screen, with a teacher standing at the front.

Malay Language students engaged in creative writing

Students in uniforms and masks sit on a carpeted floor wearing woven vests and holding round wicker fans.

Enthusiastic students composing their own Dikir Barat

Two students in Jurong Pioneer Junior College shirts painting ceramic bowls on a newspaper-covered table.

Tamil Language students painting traditional lights

Four masked people sit around a table playing a wooden mancala board game indoors.

Playing Thinnai Vilaiyaatu