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Woodgrove Secondary School

Mother Tongue Languages

Explore how the Mother Tongue Languages Department helps students build cultural appreciation and language skills through Chinese and Malay programmes, competitions, and enriching activities.

Last updated 25 August 2026
Chinese calligraphy text on left, decorative kite with red text reading Celik Aqliah Celik Budi on right.

Our Mother Tongue department has 2 branches. One for the study and appreciation of Chinese Language, and the other, Malay Language.

The Mother Tongue Languages Department seeks to equip students with the ability to acquire cultural knowledge and appreciation, expose and engage students with a range of literary texts, and connect students to contemporary issues and current affairs by contextualising learning and integrating technology for engaged learning.

Subjects Offered at Upper and Lower Secondary:

  • Chinese Language

  • Malay Language

*Students taking other Mother Tongue languages will have lessons at our partner schools and language centres.

Key Programmes (Chinese Unit):

  • Young Reporters News Challenge

  • Radio Drama Script Competition

  • Creative Writing competition

  • The Primary and Secondary School Text Reading Competition

  • Mother Tongue Fortnight

Highlights from 2023

我校同学在《我来报新闻》大赛中，荣获“创意新闻60秒”组的鼓励奖

岳欣慈同学（3E2）与和芮杞同学（3E4）创作的《保护环境从你我身边做起》在2023年《我来报新闻》中，荣获“创意新闻60秒”组的鼓励奖。

《我来报新闻》挑战赛由推广华文学习委员会、《8视界》和新加坡华文教研中心携手合作主办的中学生新闻短视频制作比赛。

恭喜我校同学在2023年《与声剧来》

Two young female students in school uniforms hold crystal trophies at a Young Reporter News Challenge award ceremony.

中文广播剧创作比赛中再创佳绩

“与声剧来” 中文广播剧创作比赛及工作坊由推广华文学习委员会和新报业媒体有限公司华文广播电台UFM100.3联合主办，致力于以有趣、互动的形式推广华文华语学习，激发学生对华文华语学习的兴趣。'

Six school students in uniforms pose in three separate photos, with Chinese text banners and captions below each.
Three students in school uniforms pose individually and as a group in front of a Chinese language competition banner.
Three boys in blue uniforms wear gold medals outdoors, with the middle boy holding a trophy.

恭喜我校同学在第六届全国课文朗诵比赛中获得佳绩

第六届全国课文朗诵比赛由推广华文学习委员会、安德逊小学、培华长老会小学及新加坡华文教师朗诵艺术学会联合举办。比赛旨在让学生通过课文朗诵，深化他们对课文的理解，加强华文阅读和朗诵的能力，同时激励学生学习华文华语的热情和兴趣。

Three photos of uniformed students posing near an ON AIR banner for a Chinese radio drama competition.
Two young men perform with guitar and microphone in a school hall as students watch, with Chinese lyrics projected on the wall.

We were given the opportunity to better appreciate the Chinese Language through local contemporary Mandopop.

Two masked schoolgirls in uniforms play Chinese chess at a blue desk near colorful numbered lockers.

We learned more about Chinese Chess to better appreciate the connection between the Chinese Language and culture.

Key Programmes (Malay Unit):

  • Project Nitra - Sharing session about classical Malay Literature and the relevance of its values with respect to today’s context.

  • Drama in Education Programme

  • Pertandingan Pena Emasku - Malay Language creative essay writing competition

  • Mother Tongue Fortnight

*Programmes are subject to availability and might differ for each year.

Large group of students in navy and white uniforms wearing masks pose for a group photo indoors on a wooden floor.

We learned more about what goes on in a Malay Wedding to better appreciate the connection between the Malay Language and culture.

A masked student in a blue and white shirt holds a green rolled crepe with a gloved hand, making a peace sign.

We also learned how to make Malay pastries to better appreciate the connection between the Malay Language and culture.

Two masked boys sitting on a mat playing congkak with colorful marbles in a wooden board.

We learned how to appreciate our traditional games.

Two boys perform in front of a child seated in yellow costume on a decorated stage with orange and white drapes.

Learning comes alive through role play.