Last Updated: 21 May 2024
Learning your Mother Tongue Language while living overseas
You are encouraged to help your child keep up with learning their Mother Tongue Language (MTL) while living overseas. Learn how to do it and what to do to support your child's return to school in Singapore.
Overview
All students in Singapore are required to study MTL in school and register for national examinations such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), GCE N-Level, GCE O-Level/Secondary Education Certificate from 2027, and GCE A-Level, unless they have received approval to be exempted from learning MTL.As a Singaporean living overseas, your child is highly encouraged to study MTL. This can help them adapt more easily when they return to school in Singapore.
How to do it
If you have applied for a Leave of Absence (LOA) for your child, you can approach the school for an LOA package that contains a checklist to help your child sustain their MTL learning before departure, while overseas, and upon return.The LOA package also includes a list of MTL learning resources. Your child can access MOE curriculum-aligned resources, such as MTL digital resources and interactive lesson packages, through the Student Learning Space (SLS), to learn at their own pace. Find out how to apply for an SLS account.
Students returning to Singapore
Schools implement differentiated instruction according to students’ abilities. The MTL curriculum recognises the diverse learning needs of students and is designed to enable every student to learn MTL to as high a level as possible.There are programmes in place to support returning students’ MTL learning readiness.
Support in primary school
Mother Tongue Support Programme (MTSP)
If your child is not ready for the Standard MTL curriculum upon return to Singapore at Primary 3 or Primary 4, they may be eligible for placement into MTSP. MTSP is a tailored programme that incorporates a systematic approach and pedagogy to teach Primary 3 and Primary 4 students who need additional support in the learning of MTL.MTSP aims to build their confidence in learning MTL and to strengthen their oracy and literacy foundation so that deeper learning in MTL can take place in their later years.
Foundation MTL
If your child is not ready for the Standard MTL curriculum when they return to school in Singapore at Primary 5 or Primary 6, your child may be offered Foundation MTL. The focus for Foundation MTL is to develop basic reading and writing skills.Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL)
If your child is strong in their MTL, they may be eligible to offer HMTL, which is available for Primary 3 and above, based on their primary school’s assessment of their suitability. We encourage you to discuss this with the school.Summary
The following tables show the different MTL courses/programmes and their respective learning focus at the Primary level.
| For most learners |
| Standard MTL Primary 1 to 6 Progressive curriculum from listening, speaking, and spoken interaction skills to reading and written interaction skills. |
| For learners requiring support |
|
Schools will carry out differentiated instruction according to students’ abilities and learning needs at Primary 1 and Primary 2. Mother Tongue Support Programme Primary 3 to 4 Focus on strengthening oracy and literacy foundation. Foundation MTL Primary 5 to 6 Focus on cultivating basic reading and writing skills. |
| For learners with high readiness |
|
Schools will carry out differentiated instruction according to students’ abilities and learning needs at Primary 1 and Primary 2. Higher MTL Primary 3 to 6 Beyond Standard MTL to focus on integrated development of language skills. |
MTL Syllabus
Learn more about the MTL syllabus in the primary school.
Support in secondary school
Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) (Secondary 1 cohort in 2024 onwards)
Starting from the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort, Full SBB has been implemented in our secondary education system, and it will provide greater customisation and flexibility for each student's learning.Under Full SBB, your child may offer MTL at an appropriate subject level (G1, G2, or G3) based on their strengths, interests, and learning needs. Your child may also offer Higher MTL should they have the aptitude and interest to do so, subject to the secondary school’s assessment of their suitability.
As your child progresses through secondary school, they will continue to have the flexibility to adjust their MTL subject levels, in consultation with their school.
If your child takes G1 or G2 MTL, they can still qualify for admission to a junior college (JC) or Millennia Institute by passing the subject (that is, by achieving at least a Grade D for G1 MTL or Grade 5 for G2 MTL) and meeting other admission requirements.
Mother Tongue Language ‘B’ (MTL ‘B’)
With the implementation of Full SBB, MTL ‘B’ will no longer be offered to the Secondary 1 cohort starting from 2024.If your child is admitted to Secondary 2 or a higher level in 2024 and is unable to cope with Express MTL or Normal (Academic) MTL course, they may take the MTL ‘B’ syllabus, subject to the school’s assessment of their suitability. The MTL ‘B’ syllabus places a larger emphasis on strengthening students’ listening, speaking, and spoken interaction skills.
Your child can offer MTL ‘B’ at selected schools, or at the MOE Language Centre (Bishan) for Malay ‘B’, or the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre for Tamil ‘B’.
The MTL ‘B’ grade will not be included in the computation of the L1R5 gross aggregate score for JC admission. Your child can still qualify for admission to a JC or Millenia Institute by obtaining a “Pass” in the subject.