Mother Tongue Languages

Discover how Greenridge Secondary brings Mother Tongue Languages to life through cultural experiences, creative programmes, and competitions that deepen students' connection to their heritage.

Last updated 10 May 2026

Mother Tongue Languages

A group of students in white shirts and navy skirts pose outside a blue colonial building with colorful floral decorations.

Our Belief: Cultivating Champions of Culture and Expression

Quoting the vision of our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew for a bilingual Singapore: “To each what he originally had – his culture, his language, a link with his past, his heritage.”

At Greenridge Secondary, Mother Tongue Languages are not just about communication; they are a bridge to culture, heritage, and identity. The MTL Department aims to provide vibrant language and cultural learning experiences that encourage our Greenridge Champions to use their Mother Tongue in daily life and develop a lifelong passion for their languages.

Mother Tongue Languages through IDEAS

Imagine

Large group of students posing on outdoor steps in front of a building with the word "TOGETHER" visible.

A group of young people wearing colorful traditional Indian attire pose together indoors near whiteboards with lights.

Three students in uniform and an adult woman stand beside a Script It Right competition banner with ON AIR sign.

We inspire our Champions to imagine how language shapes stories, values, and traditions. Through programmes such as the Applied Learning Programme (ALP), MTL Fortnight, and learning journeys, students explore possibilities for keeping their culture alive in modern ways. Whether envisioning a new twist on a traditional tale, reinterpreting festivals through creative projects, or connecting heritage to contemporary life, they begin to imagine how language can evolve while preserving its roots.

Discover

A group of students in white uniforms sit around a table with water bottles, talking with two adults indoors.

As part of the ALP programme, our Secondary 3 students visited Kampong Lorong Buangkok to uncover and learn about Singapore’s rich history.

A person in black leads a group of uniformed students in a dance practice inside a classroom.

Three students in white uniforms examine small wooden puzzle tiles at blue desks in a classroom.

Our Champions discover the beauty and depth of their languages through immersive and hands-on experiences. They take part in translation activities, workshops, and cultural learning journeys that connect them with history and community. From visiting places like the Peranakan Museum or Kampong Lorong Buangkok to exploring traditional art forms and performances, they gain a deeper appreciation of linguistic diversity and cultural expression. During Mother Tongue Fortnight and MTL Week, they also participate in activities that showcase cultural traditions such as traditional games, performances, and crafts, discovering how language and culture are interwoven in everyday life.

Express

Two students present in front of a classroom with a Chinese-text projection screen while a masked teacher and classmates watch.

Three school students in uniform filming outdoors, one holding papers, with a phone on a tripod.

A group of students in white shirts and navy skirts salute while an adult raises one fist at a drama workshop.

Six students perform on stage in traditional attire before a screen reading "Performance by Sec 4 Champions."

Champions learn to express themselves confidently through writing, speech, and performance. They participate in MTL Week and Mother Tongue Fortnight activities that encourage storytelling, drama and performance, showcasing both creativity and communication skills. Through initiatives such as the Drama Games Workshop for personality development, students strengthen their communication abilities and nurture creative thinking through expressive emotions.

Accomplish

Two men stand together holding a certificate outdoors near a building with benches in the background.

Chen Qinghao emerged as the champion in the National Secondary School Creative Writing Competition 2025.

Two female students wearing medals hold certificates alongside a man, standing before a "Together Onwards" school sign.

Nurul Batrisya emerged as the second runner-up, while Nyla Alesha clinched third place in the Petah Spontan (Public Speaking) competition held in conjunction with Bulan Bahasa 2025.

Five schoolgirls in uniforms stand on steps holding certificates, with a "Together Onwards" sign behind them.

Our lower secondary students, Ramkumar Ikshitha, Thaaniyah, Rooswelt Soni Katherin, Varatharaj Priyadharshini, and Arunkumar Yazhini clinched third place in the Video Making Competition 2025 organised by Infonitics Pte Ltd.

Five students in school uniforms hold crystal trophies in a Chinese newspaper article dated June 23, 2023.

Our Greenridge Champions demonstrate excellence by applying their language skills in authentic and competitive settings. They have earned national recognition in poetry writing, translation, radio drama, scriptwriting, and public speaking. These achievements reflect not only mastery of their Mother Tongue but also determination, creativity, and a strong sense of cultural pride.

Serve

People serving and browsing various foods on a batik-covered table at an indoor cultural food event.

The knowledge our Champions gained through their Mother Tongue language experiences empowers them to contribute to the preservation and sustainability of the language. Their bilingual skills enhance their communication abilities and deepen their appreciation of the language’s culture and heritage, enabling them to serve the community meaningfully.

Key Features of Mother Tongue Languages @ Greenridge

Enhanced ALP in MTL: Creative platforms such as scriptwriting, radio drama, and lyrics workshops allow Greenridge Champions to develop expressive language skills.

Cultural Immersion: Events such as MTL Week and Mother Tongue Fortnight celebrate traditions through performances, games, and workshops.

ICT-Enhanced Learning: Champions engage in digital storytelling, translation, and creative writing using online platforms, showcasing how technology can bring languages to life.

Competitions and Achievements: Opportunities in national poetry, scriptwriting, translation, and speaking competitions allow Champions to achieve excellence and recognition.