Chinese Language

Discover how the Chinese Language department builds students' language skills and cultural appreciation through engaging programmes, competitions, and hands-on activities.

Last updated 23 July 2026

Chinese Language

Overview

The Mother Tongue Department (Chinese Language) seeks to provide a linguistically exciting, culturally vibrant and morally positive environment for our students. Besides aiming to achieve academic excellence, the department also incorporate initiatives and programme to help to develop our students to communicate effectively and confidently in Mother Tongue Language. In addition, customised programme and activities are catered for the students to understand and appreciate the beauty of their Mother Tongue Language and its cultures and traditions.

Programmes

ECP News and Views

The aim of the ECP News and Views programme is to develop students’ communication skills as well as to increase student awareness of current affairs. Through current affair news, the students will be able to master their listening and speaking skills and become an effective communicator in Chinese language. Suitable materials from newspaper, radio or TV news and activities are selected to enhance their learning of the language.

1 image showing an SG Clean tray return poster, 1 image showing a Chinese news broadcast, and 2 images showing discussions on the SLS platform.

Structured Reading Programme

The aim of the structured reading programme is to develop students’ interests and reading habits as well as to increase student awareness and appreciation of their own culture. Through extensive reading, the students will be able to master the language and also broaden their vocabulary. Suitable reading materials and activities are selected to enhance their learning of the language.

Three school booklets with Malay, Tamil, and Chinese text, featuring cartoon children and a graduate on their covers.

The Elements of Thought (EOT) -Thinking routines used in teaching and learning of Chinese language

Circular diagram with eight colored segments labeled in Chinese, centered with the text Elements of Thought.

The aim of using EOT thinking routines:

Level ONE:

Integrate the use of EOT into daily lives.
Questions are asked to trigger students’ thinking.

Level TWO:

The students will be able to use the EOT thinking routines independently to evaluate any materials given to them and voice out their opinions.
Cultivate and develop their critical and creative skills through using EOT in learning of the language.

Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) Fortnight

Three photos of young students in school uniforms doing crafts, holding small objects, and drawing on paper on the floor.

MTL Fortnight held each year aims to create a learning environment where students learn more in depth about their culture. During the two-week programme, students will have the opportunity to experience the Chinese Language as a living language through the various hands-on activities.

| Level | Themes | || | P1 | Music | | P2 | Visual Art | | P3 | Food + Camp | | P4 | Traditional Games | | P5 | Story Telling | | P6 | Fun with Languages |

Students wearing face masks sit at desks in a classroom while a girl leans forward to look at a laptop screen.

Children in school uniforms and face masks practice martial arts poses in a classroom.

Three young boys wearing face masks sit at a table displaying small orange clay animal figurines in a classroom.

Colorful hand-painted Chinese opera masks spread across newspaper-covered table.

Conversational Chinese Language Module

The Conversational Chinese language module is introduced as an enrichment programme for non-Chinese students who are interested in learning Chinese language and culture. Students will be able to converse in simple everyday Chinese Language. This programme will also help students to enhance their rapport with Chinese-speaking friends. Topics covered include self-introduction, exchange of greetings and other commonly used phrases.

Collage showing Malay students learning Chinese and Malay via laptops, worksheets, handwritten notes, and a newspaper article.

Internal and External Competitions

Internal competitions are conducted during the Mother Tongue Fortnight Week. Pupils, who are keen to participate, will be able to showcase their abilities and competencies in the Chinese Language. These competitions also provide additional opportunities for all students to further strengthen their language abilities

Aside from the school based competition, students are also encouraged to participate in external competitions. This will help students to build up their confidence and contribute to their repertoire of experiences.

Two people on a stage holding a trophy, next to a phone screen showing a school awards list with Wang Qianyi from Yuhua Primary School circled.

International Chinese Language Competition – Gold

Flyer for National Primary School Picture Book Creation Competition showing student groups, a drawing, and students working.

Story book created and printed by the pupils