Singapore Secondary Mother Tongue Language: Malay Language (G1)

This course aims to develop students into active and proficient users of the Malay language, focusing on Communication, Culture, and Connection. It builds upon the foundation established in primary school, enhancing listening, speaking, reading, writing, and interaction skills.

Curriculum Framework

The curriculum is structured around these key areas:

• Language Skills: Focuses on developing competency in listening, reading, speaking, writing, spoken interaction, and written interaction.
• Language Knowledge: Encompasses Linguistics (phonology, orthography, lexicon, grammar, text knowledge) and Pragmatics (cultural references, registers, varieties, functional purposes).
• Cultural Values: Integrates cultural and contemporary stories within thematic units, such as relationships with friends, family, and community, to promote character development and cultural understanding.

Key Features and Enhancements

The curriculum incorporates several enhancements:

• Cultural Infusion: Systematic integration of cultural elements (Material Civilisation, Behaviour & System, Values & Philosophies) with supporting resources and training for teachers. This aims to foster communication skills, connect students with Malay culture, and demonstrate its relevance to their lives.
• Literary Texts: Increased proportion of literary texts, especially in lower secondary, to cultivate a joy of reading and prepare students for higher-level literature studies.
• Contemporary Issues: Extensive use of contemporary issues and current affairs materials to contextualize learning and demonstrate the real-world relevance of Malay.
• ICT Integration: Approximately 30% of the curriculum utilizes non-print digital resources, including materials on the Student Learning Space (SLS), to enhance interactivity and facilitate collaborative learning.

Pedagogy

The teaching approach emphasizes:

• Learner-Centered Approach: Focuses on individual student needs and utilizes effective questioning techniques to encourage active participation and reflection.
• Collaborative Learning: Employs collaborative learning theories and communicative approaches to create interactive learning environments, using strategies like peer review, group presentations, and collaborative writing.
• E-Pedagogy: Integrates technology through blended learning and active learning processes to enrich the learning experience and develop digital literacy.
• Authentic Materials: Incorporates real-world materials like internet postings, videos, news articles, and brochures to develop critical thinking and language skills.
• Contextualized Discussions: Connects cultural elements and literary texts to students' lives through discussions and exploration of their relevance in modern settings.
• Learning Beyond the Classroom: Encourages participation in community-based language events and leverages programs organized by Mother Tongue Languages Learning and Promotion Committees.

Assessment

Assessment practices are guided by a learner-centered and balanced approach:

• Clarity of Purpose: Assessment methods are aligned with learning outcomes and focus on assessing language skills, communication effectiveness, cultural appreciation, and application of critical and creative thinking skills.
• Variety of Modes: Employs various assessment modes, including national examinations, school-based standardized assessments, formative assessments (e.g., Weighted Assessment), and alternative assessments (e.g., speeches, debates, role-play).
• Authentic Assessment: Uses real-world tasks to demonstrate the practical application of Malay language skills and cultural knowledge.
• Reflection: Encourages self-assessment and peer-assessment to promote metacognition and interpersonal skills.
• Lifelong Learning: Emphasizes that assessment is a checkpoint in the ongoing journey of language learning, promoting continuous development beyond formal schooling. Teachers are expected to develop assessment literacy to effectively diagnose and address learning gaps.