Mother tongue education in Singapore: concerns, issues and controversies

Ng, Chin Leong Patrick

doi:10.1080/14664208.2014.927093

Cited by 30 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The interview data from the students suggested that they considered English to be more valuable than Malay language in Singapore. This is likely because it is used for most of the learning in schools and it is the language to be used in future careers (Ng, 2014;Wee, 2003). Students in the study also listed more English titles than Malay titles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…As a result, English Language serves as Singaporeans' first language and working language. Its' importance is attributed to its' synonymity with economic gains, advancements, technology and higher education (Ng, 2014). At the same time, the MT languages was to act as cultural ballast, necessary for the transmission of cultural values and preservation of heritage (Pakir, 1992;Wee, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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"I always need a translation to read"

Zulkifly

2019

iasl

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Bilingual reading enhances children’s cognitive skills and nurtures them to be proficient bilinguals. This paper examines Malay-English bilingual students’ reading habits and preference in both Malay and English reading and the Malay collection in school libraries to identify ways to increase bilingual children’s reading engagement. Data collection from two Singapore primary schools consists of surveys, interviews, focus groups and library observations. It was found that students’ reading preferences are influenced by their struggle to comprehend the Malay text and consequently, they find Malay books less appealing. In terms of relevance and visibility, the quality of the book collection is vital to encourage students’ reading engagement. Finally, this paper discusses suggestions and strategies in promoting primary school students’ bilingual reading.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

"I always need a translation to read"

Zulkifly

2019

iasl

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“…The situation of Singaporeans whose families do not speak an official MT has presented dilemmas for the bilingual education policy (Ng, ; Wee, ). Despite the rhetoric that students must learn their own MT to connect with their heritage, those of minority heritage have nonetheless been required to study Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil in school.…”

Section: Race and Mother Tongue Education In Singaporementioning

confidence: 99%

Inclusion, exclusion, and racial identity in Singapore's language education system

Starr

Hiramoto

2018

Int J App Linguistics

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The multiethnic population of Singapore speaks a wide variety of languages, only four of which hold official status. We consider sociolinguistic issues that arise in connection with Singapore's Mother Tongue (MT) education policy, in which children are assigned a course of language study based on their racial heritage. A survey of Singaporeans from various backgrounds indicates that those of mixed and/or minority heritage do not identify strongly with their assigned MT. Respondents of Chinese heritage differ considerably in their attitudes by ethnolinguistic background; overall, they show more ambivalence towards their assigned MT than respondents of Malay and Indian heritage. Our findings reflect the legacies of Singapore's government language campaigns, as well as a growing enthusiasm among Singaporeans for languages that index distinctive regional ethnic identities.

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“…Enacted since the nation's independence in 1965 (Ng, 2014), the bilingual education policy has been in effect for half a century. Today, all students, starting from pre-school, are educated in English (EL) as their first language, which is also the common language of instruction for most subjects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time, the school. Enacted since the nation's independence in 1965 (Ng, 2014), the bilingual education policy has been in effect for half a century. More and more studies are suggesting a trend of preferred language shift from Chinese to English.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pilot Study of Singapore’s Young Chinese Parent’s Perceptions, Attitude and Behaviours Towards Bilingual Learning

GuatPoh¹,

Lum²,

Xuan-hui³

et al. 2017

SUET

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This study aims to study parents' attitude, perceptions, and behaviours towards bilingual education in Singapore's bilingual social context. The study involves 78 young Singapore's Chinese parents, using mixed methodologies including multiple choice questionnaire, interview, checklist, and focus group discussion to collect data. Qualitative and quantitative researches have shown four important findings. First, young parents acknowledge the importance of learning mother tongue to maintain cultural heritage. They also realize that Chinese could become their next generation's crucial social capital in the future. Those families have great potential in raising bilingual children.Second, more attention should be paid to the gap between young parents' positive attitude and passive behaviour in supporting children's bilingual learning. Third, there are some misunderstandings about bilingual learning. Some parents doubt or deny the possibilities of fostering bilingual children and simply think learning Chinse language would impede children's English competence. Fourth, parents focus more on children's primary school study rather than kindergarten period, including learning interest, reading, and writing of written language abilities. More in-depth researches are needed to examine the relevance of those four findings as well as propose a more comprehensive perspective for researches on Singapore's future bilingual education reform and development.

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Mother tongue education in Singapore: concerns, issues and controversies

Cited by 30 publications

References 14 publications

"I always need a translation to read"

"I always need a translation to read"

Inclusion, exclusion, and racial identity in Singapore's language education system

A Pilot Study of Singapore’s Young Chinese Parent’s Perceptions, Attitude and Behaviours Towards Bilingual Learning

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