Mother Tongue
Vision
Every Juying student, a confident Mother Tongue learner for life — rooted in culture, ready for the future.
Mission
To nurture passionate, adaptable learners who communicate with confidence, connect meaningfully with their heritage, and create with purpose through the mother tongue languages.
Overview
The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Department at Juying Secondary School is committed to making language learning relevant, joyful, and future-ready.
Guided by the principles of Joy of Learning (JoL) and Joy of Teaching (JoT), the department integrates EdTech tools such as Classpoint and SLS, and draws on contemporary issues and current affairs to promote thinking and discussion, nurturing students as confident Communicators in their mother tongue.
Anchored in the 21st Century Competencies (E21CC) framework, the department develops students as Creators through drama-based learning, project work, and inquiry-based approaches that deepen understanding and spark creativity.
Students become Connectors to their cultural roots through a range of intentionally curated enrichment programmes. Annually, the department organises the Chinese Language and Malay Language Performing Arts Appreciation programme, offering students a dedicated platform to experience the richness and beauty of their mother tongue through the performing arts. Complemented by programmes such as Tea Appreciation and the Kampung Buangkok learning journey, these experiences collectively deepen students' appreciation of their cultural heritage and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging.
Adaptability is woven into every layer of the department's work — from differentiated instruction through flipped classrooms and blended learning to customised one-to-one and small group consultations that promote student agency. Intentionally, the department organises meaningful student exchange programmes to allow students to experience MTL in its native environment, where language truly comes alive in authentic, real-world contexts. In 2025, Juying students embarked on a STEM Exchange with Lanya Junior High School in Taiwan and a cultural exchange with SMA Taruna Bakti in Bandung, Indonesia — immersing themselves in the living language, culture, and everyday rhythms of their MTL communities. These experiences gave students invaluable first-hand exposure to how their mother tongue is spoken, celebrated, and woven into daily life beyond the classroom. In 2026, the exchange continued in a deeply reciprocal manner, as students from both Lanya Junior High and SMA Taruna Bakti visited Juying, creating a rich two-way learning experience where our students took on the role of cultural ambassadors — practising their language skills, sharing Singapore's heritage, and forging lasting cross-cultural friendships. Through these exchanges, competitions, and community collaborations, students are equipped not just as language users, but as adaptable, globally aware lifelong learners ready to thrive in an interconnected world.
Program and Activities
Chinese New Year Celebration
This year’s Chinese New Year celebration brought the school together through culture, community and creativity. Classes enjoyed a reunion breakfast, festive activities, CCA performances, a cultural game contest and a lively lion dance. Through the Class Hamper Design Competition, JYians donated items for families in need in partnership with Nanyang CC. Students also participated in the CNY Class Video Challenge and created videos capturing the festive spirit. Our Higher Chinese Language students also ran after-school booths featuring calligraphy and Chinese traditions. Together, these activities strengthened class bonds and celebrated our spirit of giving.
Mother Tongue Fortnight Programme - Chinese Language Unit:
Our Mother Tongue Fortnight offered hands-on modules in cloth painting, paper cutting, calligraphy, cultural dance, Chinese chess and puppet DIY, connecting students with the richness of Chinese culture. Students also built their own MT e-portfolios, capturing their learning and sharing their growth as Creators, Communicators and Connectors. Guided by the dedication of our teachers and the curiosity of our learners, these experiences reflect a community committed to a culture of joy, excellence and continuous learning — celebrating the beauty of Chinese language, culture and identity.
Mother Tongue Fortnight Programme - Malay Language Unit:
Secondary 2 students embarked on a Learning Journey to Kampung Buangkok, where they experienced kampung life and explored Malay food culture. They shared Nasi Ambeng, made Abuk-Abuk kuih and crafted traditional Malay potpourri. These authentic experiences deepened students' appreciation of Singapore's multicultural heritage while strengthening collaboration, communication and cultural awareness through the Joy of Learning.
Building Bridges Beyond Borders
Our Malay Language Unit proudly hosted students and teachers from Taruna Bakti Junior High School, Bandung, Indonesia, for a two-day Internationalisation Programme. Student ambassadors led the welcoming activities, while visitors experienced Singapore's education system through classroom immersion and hands-on sessions by Mdm Khairiani (FCE), Mdm Rosnah (Science) and our NCDCC students. The programme concluded with performances by the Cultural Dance, Symphonic Band and Choir, with our AVIT students providing technical support and capturing memorable moments.
Hari Raya Celebration
Juying Secondary School came alive with festive cheer during our Hari Raya celebration, reflecting our JoYful Learning Culture and strong student agency. Students took ownership by crafting emcee scripts and leading Dikir Barat, Kompang and Silat performances, alongside vibrant showcases by Choir, Cultural Dance and NutzCrew. The Mother Tongue Fortnight team promoted cultural literacy through a lively Hari Raya visiting etiquette skit and quiz. Our canteen vendor joined the festivities with traditional cuisines and goodies. Most heartwarming was seeing students don festive attire, with Muslim students lending outfits to non-Muslim friends showcasing a meaningful celebration of inclusivity, cross-cultural appreciation and social cohesion.
Accolades
2024
National Text Recital Competition: 4 Bronze Awards
National Chinese Riddle Competition: Champion
Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition: 1 Commendation Award
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Chinese Quiz Competition: 4th Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Chinese Essay Writing Competition: 3rd Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, CL Visual Literary Competition: 2nd Place
5th Nanyang Youth Chinese Literature Award: 1 Commendation Award
Petah Spontan 2.0: 3rd Place
Saya Boleh Mengarang: 3 Bronze Awards
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Visual Literary Competition: 1st Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Language & Cultural Quiz: 2nd Place
Pena Emasku Writing Competition: 6 Gold Awards (Lower Secondary), 3 Gold Awards (Upper Secondary) and 1 Gold Award with 4th Place (Upper Secondary)
2025
National Text Recital Competition: 5 Bronze Awards
National Chinese Riddle Competition: Champion
SPH Young Reporter News Challenge: Best Young Reporter Award (Evelyn Qiu Ling Xuan)
National Chinese Reading Superstar Competition: Merit Award (Teo Xuan Xuan)
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Chinese Language & Culture Quiz: 2nd Place
Short Story Writing Competition: 3rd Place (Chng Wei An)
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Short Story Writing Competition: 1st Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Visual Literary Competition (Lower Secondary): 3rd Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Visual Literary Competition (Upper Secondary): 3rd Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Language & Cultural Quiz: 3rd Place
2026
National Text Recital Competition: 2 Bronze Awards
National Chinese Riddle Competition: 2nd Runner-Up
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Chinese Language & Culture Quiz: 4th Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Short Story Writing Competition: 1st Place (Dong Yuxuan) and 4th Place (Chai Mu)
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Visual Literary Competition (Lower Secondary): 2nd Place
W3 Cluster MT Fiesta, Language & Cultural Quiz: 2nd Place
Pena Emasku Writing Competition: 2 Gold Awards (Lower Secondary)