Tamil

Introduction

Our programme aims to develop students into proficient language users. In addition to this, our students will gain a better understanding of our rich culture and appreciate it. We warmly invite Eliasians’ family members and the community to continue to support EPPS' Tamil Department to inculcate in our students love for the language.

Vision

• A bilingual citizen who is able to communicate effectively in Mother Tongue in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural and global society.

Mission

• To enthuse Eliasians to learn and use Mother Tongue Languages. 

Learning Outcomes

• Students who possess both content and knowledge skills.

• Students who are confident and effective users of the Tamil Language.

Approach/ Framework

• Tamil Department aims to develop students into proficient language users who can communicate confidently in real life situations. They will also gain a better understanding of our rich cultural background. In addition to that, students will develop a love for the language. We reach out to our students through effective strategies for teaching and learning activities. Students are thought the relevant content with authentic learning activities. Holistic Assessment of the students are carried out. 

Programme Highlights

• Reading Programme
  Tamil Department places great emphasis on reading. As we know, reading plays a vital role in language acquisition. In order to promote reading, Tamil students are encouraged to read more books and record in the reading log. They are required to write reviews and champion readers are identified and rewarded at the end of the year. Monthly issues of the Tamil Magazine called “Sutti Mayil” is also subscribed for P4 to P6 students.

• SOAR Reading Programme
  (Spark interest, Open minds, Appreciate cultural roots, Rise as a bilingual leader)
  The MTL SOAR reading programme hopes to strengthen efforts to instill in students the love for reading in Mother Tongue Languages. P1 and P2 Tamil students will spend 30 minutes of their Mother Tongue lessons for reading and related activities. It will provide structured support and resources to compliment existing school-wide reading programme. It aims to develop positive set of reading dispositions and habits in children from young. In order to cultivate a genuine love and interest for reading in young children, teachers will make reading time an engaging, dynamic, and enjoyable experience. Teacher-led class activities, story telling & role play will encourage students to read Mother Tongue story books. Reading activities involving parents reading together with their children, as well as families visiting public libraries to read together, fostering a shared love for books and learning. Each student will be given a reading passport to record the books that they have read. 

• Mother Tongue Language Fortnight
  Mother Tongue Language Fortnight for Tamil is an annual highlight in our school calendar, typically held over two weeks in early Term 2. This meaningful programme is designed to immerse students in the Tamil language and culture through engaging, hands-on experiences beyond the classroom. Through a wide range of interactive activities, students develop a deeper appreciation for the Tamil language while exploring its rich heritage and traditions in a fun and meaningful way.
  As part of the Fortnight, students take part in traditional games and cultural activities such as Pallanguzhi, Aadupuliyattam, Kollattam, and Seven Stones. These experiences allow students to connect with cultural practices while learning through play, collaboration, and creativity. To cater to different learning levels, a variety of activities are organised for each level: P1- Singing Competition P2- Character Portrayal, P3- Storytelling, P4-Twisted Tales Competition, P5- Oratorical Competition, Kolam Drawing, and AI Workshop, P6- Competition.
  The Mother Tongue Language Fortnight aims to make learning Tamil enjoyable and meaningful. Through these carefully curated activities, students build confidence while using the language.

• Mother Tongue Support Programme
  This programme is for students in Primary 3 and Primary 4.  MTSP caters to students who need additional support in the learning of Mother Tongue. The students are identified by their respective schools based on their performance in basic oracy and reading skills in the Tamil Language at the end of Primary 2 and Primary 3 respectively. The number of students in this programme is small. Lessons are conducted during curriculum time.

• Cultural Activities
  The P5 Tamil students had the Villupaatu Workshop, an ancient form of musical story-telling on 31st March and 1st April in conjunction with the Mother-Tongue Language Fortnight. During the workshop, students learnt about the origin of Villupaatu, the occasions this style of storytelling was used, how a villupattu is performed and how it is different from traditional storytelling methods. Thereafter, the students worked in groups to perform a villupaatu to their classmates confidently. This workshop helped the students improve their spoken, listening and reading skills.

• Deepavali
  Deepavali is celebrated each year to promote the understanding of Indian traditions and customs. The objective is to have a fun-filled Deepavali celebration for the students and to enrich them with traditional culture and values.

• External Competitions
  Our students will be taking part in various competitions organised by the Telok Blangah CC. Students from P2 will take part in the Reading competition. P3 and P4 students will take part in the story-telling competition and essay-writing competition respectively. Students from P5 and P6 will be taking part in the oratorical competition.