) or https:// as an added precaution.We Thank Forum Letter Writer Yan Lizhen for Her Suggestion ("Extension of Mother Tongue Lesson Hours Should Be Expanded to Primary and Secondary Schools", 19 Mar).
The Ministry of Education (MOE) agrees that Mother Tongue Language (MTL) exposure is important in helping students develop a strong foundation and nurturing their love for the language. However, increasing curriculum time is not the sole determining factor in cultivating students' interest in MTL and improving their language proficiency.
The primary Chinese Language (CL) curriculum, which was refreshed in 2024, supports students' MTL learning through innovative approaches such as "learn through play", technological use that include gamification, and differentiated resources to keep students engaged within and beyond the classroom. Complementing the curriculum is MTL SOAR, a structured reading programme introduced to all Primary 1 and 2 students last year. By dedicating 30 minutes of MTL curriculum time to reading and library activities, we aim to instill a love for MTL reading, spark interest in literature, and help students appreciate their culture. We will progressively roll out this programme to all primary levels by 2029.
Similarly, we engage secondary students through joyful learning to develop active and proficient MTL users. The secondary MTL curriculum integrates cultural elements, literary texts as well as contemporary issues and current affairs materials that are relatable to students and enhance their appreciation of Chinese language and culture. The infusion of technology, such as in the form of video stimuli and language games, further creates rich and meaningful learning experiences.
Beyond the school, the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL) works with community partners to organise activities throughout the year to nurture and deepen students' interest in CL. For example, CPCLL organises the "Xin Kong Xia"（新空下）Songwriting Competition annually to encourage youths to use and interact with the Chinese language through songs and music.
Learning MTL effectively requires the support of the entire society. Parents, in particular, play a crucial role in shaping our students' attitudes and mindsets towards MTL learning. We encourage parents to offer their children opportunities to learn and love the language at home and in the community. MOE will continue to work closely with parents, schools, and the wider community to sustain MTL as living languages in Singapore.
Mdm Heng Boey Hong
Director, Curriculum Planning & Development Division (Mother Tongue Language Branch)
Ministry of Education
交流站：快乐学习是让母语成为活语言的关键
谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于3月19日刊登的严丽珍读者投函《应把延长母语课时推广到中小学》：
我们感谢严女士在投函中所提出的建议。
教育部同意，母语的接触对于帮助学生打下坚实基础、培养他们对母语的热爱至关重要。然而，增加课程时间并非培养学生母语的兴趣和提高语言能力的唯一决定性因素。
2024年更新的小学华文课程，通过"玩中学"（learn through play）等创新方法、包含游戏化元素的技术应用，以及差异化教学资源，支持学生的母语学习，在课堂内外持续激发学生的学习兴趣。与课程相辅相成的是"和书一起飞"阅读计划（MTL SOAR），这是一项于去年向所有小学一、二年级学生推出的结构化阅读计划。通过将30分钟的母语课程时间，专门用于阅读和图书馆活动，此计划旨在培养学生对母语阅读的热爱，激发他们对文学的兴趣，并帮助他们欣赏自己的文化。我们将于2029年前逐步将计划推广至所有小学年级。
同样，我们通过快乐学习，培养中学生成为积极且熟练的母语使用者。中学母语课程融入文化元素、文学文本，以及与学生生活息息相关的当代议题和时事材料，以增强他们对华文和中华文化的鉴赏能力。通过融入技术手段，例如以视频和语言游戏的形式，进一步营造丰富而有意义的学习体验。
除了学校，推广华文学习委员会与社区伙伴合作，全年组织各项活动，以培养和深化学生对华文的兴趣。例如，推广华文学习委员会每年举办"新空下"歌唱及创作比赛，鼓励年轻人通过歌曲和音乐，使用华文并进行互动。
要有效地学习母语，须要全社会的支持。家长在塑造学生对母语学习的态度和心态方面，尤其扮演着关键角色。我们鼓励家长为孩子创造机会，让他们在家中和社区里学习并爱上这门语言。教育部会继续与家长、学校和社会各界紧密合作，确保母语在新加坡作为活的语言得以延续。
教育部课程规划与发展司（母语处）司长 王梅凤