Mother Tongue

The Mother Tongue Languages [MTL] Department aims to nurture Greenridgeans into self-directed learners and proficient users of the Mother Tongue Languages with strong cultural values.     

Our MTL department encourages our students to use their Mother Tongue Languages with confidence and pride, and seeks to enhance competencies in the respective language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). MTL lessons engage the critical thinking faculties as part of our curriculum through the use of Socratic questioning to prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century. 

The curriculum and co-curriculum programmes of the Mother Tongue Languages Department are guided by the following principles, which are to: 

·          Cater to students’ different learning needs to enhance their language proficiency; 

·          Cultivate strong moral and cultural values in students;

·          Facilitate engaging and interactive lessons with real world context; and

·          Foster a conducive environment for students to use their Mother Tongue Languages

DEPARTMENT PEDAGOGY

Our department uses various pedagogies and key strategies to engage students in learning the Mother Tongue Language skills.

Socratic Questioning Technique

Questions trigger the active thinking of students, allowing them to challenge fixed mindsets and explore creative solutions and alternatives. The use of Socratic questions provides a platform for students to hone their critical thinking skills and view issues from different angles.

Peer and Self-Assessment

Understanding of one’s own performance is important for one to continuously seek excellence. Use of rubrics and checklists provides students with the opportunity to monitor their learning progress, hence better understanding their strengths and areas for improvement. Students can also have a clear overview of the desired outcomes. Peer assessment allows students to learn and improve in a cooperative manner.

Self-Directed Learning Tasks

Various learning tasks like group discussions and assignments are designed to suit different learning objectives, equipping student with the necessary language skills to engage in independent learning.

HOMEWORK AND ASSESSMENT POLICY

HOMEWORK

ASSESSMENT

The aims of the Mother Tongue Languages Department’s Assessment and Homework Policy is to: provide regular feedback to help our students develop and improve provide an accurate gauge of students’ progress and attainment at suitable intervals; inform decision on teaching and learning to improve students’ learning and performances. The desired outcomes are to enable students to: use Mother Tongue Language in daily situations; be cultivated with cultural and moral values; have good mastery of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills; be equipped with analytical thinking, self-directed and independent learning skills

The emphasis in Mother Tongue Language Assessment are as follows: Both the Assessment Syllabus (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) and Criteria of Mother Tongue Languages Department are aligned to the direction set out by MOE, which is articulated in the syllabus for the Mother Tongue Language subject in year 2011 The modes of assessment are selected based on Knowledge, Skills and Values Learning Outcomes for Mother Tongue Language To practice speed and accuracy, different time limits are set for various kinds of assignments:  Email writing: 30 minutes  Essay writing: 80 minutes Comprehension: 30 minutes Vocabulary practice: 10 minutes To provide sufficient practice for all students, at least 6 marked assignments of each category supported by additional exercises and past year papers are planned and implemented throughout an academic year.