Last Updated: 01 February 2021
Learning a Mother Tongue Language in primary school
Your child will need to learn a Mother Tongue Language (MTL) as a second language in school. Learn more about the MTL curriculum and how it can benefit your child.
Mother Tongue Languages at a glance
What is it | Mother Tongue Language (MTL) is offered in Singapore schools as a second language. It is a compulsory subject.
There are 3 official MTLs:
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Why it is important | Students can:
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Who is it for | All students in Singapore primary schools. |
How it works |
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Mother Tongue Languages in school
The Chinese Language curriculum focuses on listening, speaking, reading, writing and interaction skills. It is tailored to your child’s abilities and offered in the following modules:
- Core module: for all primary school students.
- Bridging/reinforcement module: if your child needs more help in the language.
- Enrichment module: if your child has a higher aptitude for learning the language.
The Tamil Language curriculum focuses on listening, speaking, reading, writing and interaction skills.
At the end of Primary 4, your child’s school will recommend the subject combination that is most suitable for them in Primary 5. Based on your child’s MTL results, these subjects may include Higher Mother Tongue Language in one of the official languages.