Mother Tongue Languages

Explore the Mother Tongue Language programmes at BGPS, designed to build confident communicators and deepen students' appreciation of their cultural roots.

Last updated 18 August 2026

Vision
Empowered Learners, Confident, Joyful and Proficient Communicators of the Mother Tongue Language

Mission
To nurture students to be effective communicators and passionate learners of their Mother Tongue Language.

Key Programmes

Mother Tongue Language Structured Reading Programme

The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Reading Programme is an integral part of our language curriculum, designed to promote the joy of reading. Through teacher-guided reading sessions, students are engaged with captivating stories. From designing bookmarks to making of little books, students have numerous opportunities to express their creativity after reading. Additionally, we share stories and books recommendation through SLS to motivate and inspire our young readers.

Five students standing in a row in front of a classroom bulletin board. They are smiling and holding up their drawings and mesh stationery pouches with Chinese characters on them.

A classroom full of primary school students sitting at colorful red, green, and grey desks, quietly engaged in independent reading. Each student is focused on a small storybook. The classroom features bright lighting, a projector on the ceiling, and educational displays on the back wall.

Two students in white school uniforms sitting at a red desk, using iPads for a Mother Tongue language lesson. The tablets display a passage written in Malay, and the students are focused on reading the digital text.

Students in white uniforms sitting at individual desks in a classroom, using tablets with attached keyboards to complete digital lessons while working independently.

Mother Tongue Language Fortnight

Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Fortnight aims to create an immersive environment for learning and appreciating Mother Tongue Languages and Cultures. Students are exposed to a wide variety of activities such as Chinese Brush Painting, traditional Malay costumes, and Indian musical instruments during these two eventful weeks, with the hope that these culturally rich activities would deepen our students’ understanding of their cultural roots and promote the learning of MTL in a fun and engagement way.

Primary 4 Mother Tongue Cultural Camps

The Cultural Activities aim to provide an immersive environment for students to learn and use the Mother Tongue Languages as well as to appreciate its Culture though hands-on activities.

A music instructor standing at the front of a classroom, teaching a group of primary school students sitting on a wooden floor. The students are in school uniforms and have various traditional percussion instruments, such as Indian drums and tambourines, in front of them in a music room

Four students standing side-by-side in traditional Malay clothing on stage in front of a presentation slide titled "PAKAIAN MELAYU...", featuring two boys wearing tengkolok headgear and sampan wraps alongside two girls wearing embroidered attire in red and dark blue.

A group of young students in white school uniforms posing together in a classroom, happily holding and playing with handmade paper pellet drums decorated with Chinese characters and colorful designs.

Higher Mother Tongue Programmes

The school provides the Higher Mother Tongue (HMT) programme for eligible students from Primary 5 to Primary 6. Additionally, selected students in Primary 3 and 4 who demonstrate aptitude and interest are offered the HMT Language programme. To enhance the learning journey of HMT students, we offer enriched experiences that challenge and expand their language proficiency.

Primary 3 Chinese Language Little Reporter

Little Reporter Programme is designed to help our Higher Chinese Language students further develop their skills in communication, collaboration, as well as 21st Century Competencies such as critical, adaptive, and inventive thinking. The programme will consist of seven sessions which include learn about the basic tasks of a reporter, develop speaking and writing skills, conduct interviews on specific topics, and finally complete a report.

Primary 5 Malay Language Writer‘s Club

The Malay Language Writer's Club Programme is designed for students with a flair for writing. Participants will receive training in crafting compelling narrative essays, focusing on developing ideas through setting, plot, and characters. Additionally, they will learn to effectively express emotions in their writing. The aim is to foster confident, expressive writers who can articulate their thoughts and creativity through the written word.

Mother Tongue Celebrations

1. Chinese New Year Celebrations

At BGPS, the Chinese New Year Celebrations serve as a valuable platform for educating students about the traditions, customs, and cultural significance of this important festival. This initiative aims to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of Singapore's rich cultural heritage. In line with our school's core value of compassion, BGPS collaborates with charity organisations for the Hongbao donation drive, nurturing in our students a sense of empathy and a spirit of generosity towards the less fortunate in our community.

Four student emcees in diverse traditional ethnic attire enthusiastically speaking into microphones on a school stage decorated for Chinese New Year.

School leaders Vice-Principal Mr Chua, Principal Mr Yong, and Vice-Principal Mr Yeo standing on stage flanked by two yellow lion dance performers, holding a tray of mandarins and a Chinese New Year scroll during CNY celebration.

2. Hari Raya Celebrations

Hari Raya @BGPS was an enriching experience where our students delved deep into the significance and cultural richness of this auspicious occasion. For a Hari Raya pre-event activity, students used the SLS platform to learn about the significance of fasting and celebrating Hari Raya. They explored traditional Hari Raya foods, songs, and participated in engaging recess activities to immerse themselves in the customs. Students enjoyed the all-time favorite kuihs, traditional attire, and a popular photobooth. The festivities continued by combining the assembly with International Friendship Day, offering insights into Hari Raya celebrations across ASEAN countries, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation among students.

Three female students leaning over a bright yellow table during a hands-on activity, carefully shaping colored clay using cookie cutters to match photos of traditional festive cookies on printed worksheets.

Four students posing behind decorative Hari Raya props, including a large yellow-and-green woven ketupat model and a festive banner reading "HARI RAYA @ BGPS".

3. Deepavali Celebrations

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated by Hindus around the world. In Singapore, Deepavali is a time of festivity, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. In primary schools, Deepavali is an occasion to celebrate diversity, promote cultural understanding, and educate students about the significance of the festival.

Conversational Chinese and Malay Programme

The Conversational Chinese/Malay Programme (CCM) is an enrichment programme for non-Chinese/non-Malay pupils who are interested in learning Chinese/Malay language and its culture. Learning Conversational Chinese/Malay provides students with the facility to communicate with their peers, and to better understand and appreciate Chinese/Malay culture and values. Students are given the platform to learn and communicate (listen and speak) on everyday situations in the language and understand as well as provide responses to conversations or verbal narratives on selected issues.