Providing opportunities for students to learn a Southeast Asian language

We thank Ms Stacey Ho Ling Ying ("Voices of Youth: Let all students have chance to learn Malay or Indonesian", March 21), for her feedback on the learning of Malay or Bahasa Indonesia in schools.

MOE recognises the value for students to learn a Southeast Asian language to raise their understanding and appreciation of different cultures in Singapore and other regional countries.

In primary and secondary schools, Conversational Malay is offered to students who do not offer Malay Language as an enrichment programme. In Conversational Malay classes, students learn simple sentence structure and vocabulary of the Malay Language, and take part in conversations on everyday situations using the language. Through the programme, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Malay culture.

At the secondary level, students with interest and aptitude can choose to pick up a third language, which includes the Malay Language and Bahasa Indonesia.

We will continue to provide our students with opportunities to learn additional languages beyond English and their own Mother Tongue Languages to broaden their perspectives and nurture their passion for languages and cultures.

Mr Sin Kim Ho
Divisional Director, Curriculum Planning & Development Division 1
Ministry of Education