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Canberra Secondary School

Mother Tongue Languages

Strong language foundations, deep cultural roots.

Last updated on 2 November 2026

Vision

Our vision is to cultivate a deep appreciation and love for Mother Tongue Languages, nurturing students with a strong foundation and an enduring interest in their cultural heritage.

Mission

We are committed to inspiring a love for Mother Tongue Languages through cultural experiences and creative activities. Our goal is to help students connect with their heritage, fostering a lifelong passion for language and culture.

Guided by our vision to cultivate a love for Mother Tongue Languages, we nurture strong linguistic foundations and enduring connections to cultural heritage. Festive celebrations, performances and learning journeys deepen students' appreciation of their cultural roots.

Programs and Activities

2026 Highlights:

• The MTL Fortnight culminated in a vibrant Lunar New Year Celebration

• The Hari Raya Concert featured kompang, silat and a skit by Wira Budaya

• The Mid-Autumn Festival brought the school together for lantern-making and lantern riddles

• Students attended "Lao Jiu: The Musical" and "Here Comes Crosstalk 2026"

• Learning journeys to Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Tea Chapter

  1. MTL Fortnight

Held during the Lunar New Year and Hari Raya week, the MTL Fortnight features a vibrant mix of activities that enhance students' understanding of both Chinese and Malay cultures. Highlights include traditional Chinese Calligraphy, clay making, fan painting, lantern crafting, and traditional games such as Pitching Pots (投壶) and Spinning Top (陀螺).

A group of secondary school students in Canberra Secondary School uniforms practise diabolo (Chinese yo-yo) spinning in the school hall, with red Chinese New Year banners visible in the background.

Malay students engaged in a variety of language and cultural activities, including playing traditional games, crafting keris and gasing from paper, and experiencing communal eating through Nasi Ambeng. These activities provided students with a deeper appreciation of their cultural heritage and traditions.

Person painting Arabic calligraphy on a wooden piece at a green desk, with a reference paper beside it.
Student in orange shirt cuts paper at a green desk with a tablet and scissors nearby in a classroom.

Students involved in Khat (Calligraphy activity) and the crafting keris from paper.

  1. Reading Programme

Our school-wide Chinese Language reading program is designed to spark a love for reading and enhance literacy skills. During MTL lessons, students engage with selected Chinese books or chapters through guided reading sessions and interactive follow-up activities. The program also includes creative competitions like the 校园超级阅读明星比赛 (Reading Ambassadors Programme Competition), where students can showcase their creativity in video production, writing, song lyrics, and comic drawing.

Watch some of these here. (opens in new tab)

  1. Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES)

The CPES offers students enriching cultural experiences through performances and arts. This year, the Secondary Two students attended a performance at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, enjoying the traditional comedic art of Crosstalk. Such experiences deepen students' appreciation of Chinese heritage and inspire further exploration.

Two speakers address a seated audience of youth in red uniforms inside a conference room with banners on stage.

Secondary Two students enjoying a Crosstalk performance at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.


  1. Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) Programme

    • The CCM Programme is an enrichment programme offered to the Secondary One students. Through this program, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Singapore’s diverse cultures while practicing conversational Chinese or Malay in authentic settings.

  2. Learning Journeys

    • To enhance students' connection with their cultural roots, our Chinese Language Unit organizes learning journeys, such as the Traditional Tea and Coffee Appreciation workshops for Secondary Three students. These hands-on experiences allow students to explore the intricacies of Chinese and Singaporean traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage.

Seven children in tan jackets and caps pose with toy rifles near white double doors on a wooden floor.

Secondary Three students attentively listen to their guide during the Malay Learning Journey to Bukit Chandu, where they explored significant historical landmarks and learned about Lieutenant Adnan's heroic sacrifices during the Japanese invasion. This outdoor experience deepened their connection to Singapore's national history and heritage.

A guide in a blue vest addresses a group of students in blue uniforms outdoors near trees and an information board.

To deepen students' appreciation of their national history, our Malay Language Unit organised a learning journey to Bukit Chandu on 9th May for Secondary Three students. This immersive experience included a guided tour, video screening, and poetry recitation, enriching their understanding of Lieutenant Adnan's sacrifices during the Japanese invasion.

  1. Curriculum

    • Our MTL Curriculum integrates both collaborative and multimodal methods to enrich student learning and skill development. Through group projects, students enhance their self-directed learning, teamwork, and understanding of Singapore’s society, while cultivating important values such as respect, responsibility, and creativity. Students are empowered to express their ideas and opinions through diverse language products, including audio and video recordings, brochure design, and oral presentations, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging learning experience.

Chinese trifold brochure about otters featuring cute cartoon illustrations and photos of real otters with text.

Secondary Two CL AA project: Create Your Own Brochure

Festive Celebrations

Lunar New Year

Our Lunar New Year celebrations are a vibrant mix of tradition and creativity. From a Classroom Decoration Competition using recycled materials to a school-wide concert featuring performances from our Performing Arts CCAs, students and staff come together to celebrate the festivities. These activities not only celebrate our cultural roots but also emphasize the importance of Gratitude, Respect and Compassion.

A colourful lion dance head is brought close to a crowd of secondary school students seated on a hall floor, with students reaching out to touch it excitedly. Students are wearing red and blue Canberra Secondary School attire.

Hari Raya

  • Canberra Secondary School's Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration on 24 April 2024, brought to life the spirit of the night before Hari Raya with a focus on empathy, compassion and love.

  • A funny and engaging skit by our students and teachers during the Hari Raya celebrations.

  • The event unfolded with a skit performed by students, capturing the essence of family bonds and the importance of understanding and forgiveness during the festive season. This heartwarming portrayal sets the tone for an afternoon filled with cultural richness and togetherness. Adding to the festivities, the hall resonated with melodious tunes as the choir delivered a captivating performance. The Teachers' Band also took the stage, infusing energy and joy into the celebration with their musical talents.

  • Choir and The Teachers’ Band showcasing their musical talents.

  • An interactive and engaging game segment "Do-It Raya" also allowed students to enthusiastically participate, testing their hands-on skills under a time crunch. This segment not only entertained but also value-added to educating and fostering a deeper connection with the cultural aspects of the celebration.

  • Students enjoying the interactive game segment ‘Do-it Raya’.

  • The highlight of the afternoon was the screening of our annual Hari Raya Music Video, featuring the school's staff and students embodying the spirit of Hari Raya. Moreover, the music video brought a surprising and humorous element - students saw their teachers and peers in a different light as they danced and sang, adding a delightful twist to the celebration and creating memorable moments for everyone present.

Pengalaman ini ialah sebuah pengalaman yang bermakna bagi saya. Ini kerana saya dapat menjadi lebih yakin selepas berlakon pada hari itu. Saya juga rasa gembira apabila mendapat watak Ahmad kerana itu kali pertama saya berlakon di depan penonton yang ramai.
— Muhammad Nazri Bin Muhammad Afendi, 3 Diligence
Sebagai ahli pembantu pentas, pengalaman ini amat bermakna dan menyeronokkan. Melalui tugas-tugas yang harus dilakukan, saya dapat melihat betapa pentingnya kerjasama dan komunikasi dalam menjayakan setiap persembahan. Saya berasa amat bangga melihat semua para pelakon, pengacara dan kumpulan ahli pembantu pentas menyumbangkan tenaga dan kemahiran mereka demi mencipta pengalaman yang indah untuk seluruh warga sekolah!
— Puteri Binte Md Rizal, 3 Resilience

Mid-Autumn Festival

  • Our department organizes different activities to celebrate these festivals, like quizzes, cultural appreciation sessions, and traditional games such as Lantern Making and Lantern Riddles (猜灯谜), to help students better understand the diverse cultures in our community.

A festive Mid-Autumn Festival collage featuring three photos of secondary school students in red uniforms proudly displaying their handmade lanterns with rabbit and floral designs. The collage includes Chinese text reading '中秋快乐' (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival) and well-wishes for students, set against a backdrop of mooncakes, lanterns, and a full moon

Publications

Launched in 2014, 康情 Kang Qing is our flagship Chinese Language publication that showcases students' written works and reflections. In 2019, it expanded to include contributions from the Malay Language Unit, promoting unity and mutual respect through shared literature. This publication continues to be a platform for students to express themselves and connect with others in our diverse community.

Chinese publication cover for Canberra Secondary School 2023, featuring watercolor bamboo artwork and Chinese calligraphy text.

康情 Kang Qing 2023

Competitions

Participation in competitions provides our students valuable opportunities to apply their language skills in real-world contexts. These experiences not only enhance linguistic abilities but also build confidence, critical thinking, and a sense of accomplishment. Engaging with peers and experts through these platforms deepens their appreciation for language and culture, preparing them for success in a globalized world.

Six students in school uniforms hold medals and a trophy on a stage, with a Chinese award presentation screen behind them.

Our students proudly receiving their awards from Create Your Own Newspaper Competition全国学生编采比赛, showcasing their hardwork and creativity.

Chinese magazine spread featuring a farmer holding a bird, with text, headlines, and small photos throughout.
A woman seated at a desk with Pengerusi and Penjaga Masa signs speaks with two students standing beside her.

Our Canberrans in action at the Bahas4PM Debate Competition 2024

Four students in blue uniforms smile and pose outdoors on a sunny campus, one wearing a hijab.
Three uniformed students sit at a debate table labeled Pencadang and Canberra Secondary School, with a person writing on a whiteboard behind them.
Five students in school uniforms stand beside an Akademi Bahasa 4PM banner in a school corridor.