Tamil Language

Tamil Language

Learning Outcomes

• To equip our students with literacy skills, enabling them to be linguistically competent and confident users of the Tamil Language.

• To understand and appreciate the moral values and rich heritage of the Tamil language.

• To equip our students with the foundational social-emotional competencies and competencies such as civic, global, and cross-cultural literacy, as well as critical, adaptive, and inventive thinking.

Teaching Approaches

Tamil language (TL) lessons are designed such as that they incorporate Differentiated Instruction (DI), ePedagogy, blended and collaborative learning. These pedagogies enhance TL learning and engage students to support the development of six main skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, spoken interaction and written interaction.

The DI approach acknowledges and accommodates the diversity of students' learning interests, readiness levels, and abilities in the classroom. As students come from increasingly diverse backgrounds, possess varying abilities, and learn in different ways, teaching approaches are fine-tuned such that they cater to the needs of the various learners’ profile. They are also given more opportunities to interact in class and collaborate with one another through the use of educational platforms and tools. These opportunities make TL learning more enjoyable and meaningful.

Department Programmes

Keeping the objective of stimulating and sustaining our students’ interest in learning the language, the TL Department has also put in place a range of differentiated enrichment activities designed to expose our students culturally while promoting opportunities for meaningful interaction and collaboration amongst students. This includes a two-week programme to encourage our students to use their Mother Tongue and appreciate the Tamil culture. During MTL Fortnight, various cultural-based activities are designed to deepen their understanding and cultivate a love for the language.

Our line-up of programmes include:

Buddy Reading Programme

The Tamil Buddy Reading Programme for Primary One students is a structured initiative designed to enhance Tamil language proficiency among young learners. Tailored specifically for Primary 1 students, this program aims to cultivate a love for reading in Tamil while improving language comprehension, vocabulary and overall literacy skills.

Pongal Celebration

In 2024, the vibrant spirit of the Pongal Celebration permeated the classrooms as students immersed themselves in a day filled with cultural exploration and festive activities. Eager to embrace the traditions of this joyous Tamil harvest festival, students engaged in various class activities that showcased the essence of Pongal. During recess, there was special screening of Pongal videos, which served not only as entertainment but also to spread awareness about the festival. From documentary clips detailing the history and customs of Pongal to heartwarming videos capturing real-life celebrations, students gained a deeper understanding of the festival's importance in Tamil culture.

Extensive Reading

Extensive Tamil Reading Programme is a comprehensive initiative aimed at promoting Tamil language literacy among learners of Primary 4 to Primary 6 students. This programme encompasses a wide range of activities and resources to encourage reading proficiency and foster a love for the Tamil language. It provides access to a diverse range of reading materials suited to students’ proficiency levels. This includes storybooks, novels, poetry collections, newspapers, magazines, and digital content in Tamil. The selection caters to different interests and reading preferences to engage learners effectively.

Mother Tongue Fortnight Activities

Deepavali Celebration

The 2023, Deepavali celebration was a wonderful opportunity for students to get immersed in the rich Indian cultural heritage, fostering inclusivity, understanding and an appreciation of diversity. The celebration began with a captivating slideshow presentation that delved into the significance of Deepavali, the festival of lights. The slideshow highlighted the historical and cultural importance of the festival, exploring its roots and its significance across various traditions and regions.

Following the enlightening slideshow, the stage transformed into a runway for a dazzling fashion parade showcasing traditional Indian attire worn during Deepavali celebrations. Students, dressed in vibrant sarees, elegant kurtas and ornate sherwanis, strutted down the catwalk with confidence and grace.

As the fashion parade concluded, the atmosphere brimmed with excitement as a pop quiz on Deepavali traditions and customs commenced. Prizes were awarded to those who demonstrated their understanding of Deepavali, encouraging everyone to delve deeper into the festival's intricacies.

As anticipation mounted, the stage came alive with a vibrant and energetic dance performance set to traditional Deepavali music. Dancers clad in colorful costumes move with precision and grace, executing intricate choreography that mesmerised the audience.

Talent Development

To help realize the potential of our students to their fullest, students participate in various competitions to widen their exposure to the Tamil Language.

Appreciation for the following students who participated in the Pongal Contest and Spelling Bee 2024