Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 33

Issue 5: Increasing the Usage of Tamil by Students Outside Classroom
Topic of Interest: By bridging the divide in the diglossia present in Tamil or by consciously inculcating
effective bilingualism, how can we further encourage students to converse in Tamil outside classrooms?
History of Tamil Syllabus
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CASE STUDY: Tamil Primary School Syllabus, MOE
In 1996, SINDA conducted a review and called for an
understanding and adoption of Standard Spoken Tamil
(SST) in classrooms (Mahizhnan, 1996).
The MOE-engaged Forbes Research (1999) Mother
Tongue Language Review Committee found that
students had difficulties in comprehension and
composition and did not have much fun or interest in
learning Tamil.
In 2004-2005, the Centre for Research in Pedagogy
and Practice, National Institute of Education (NIE)
conducted a curriculum review and recommended,
among other things, using an accessible language i.e.,
implementing SST, linking the textbook content with
assessment, undertaking textbook reform, and using
multimedia and IT.
One of the review’s key recommendations was the use
of SST in the classes to have confident and effective
bilingual Tamil Singaporeans. The committee strongly
felt that use of SST in day-to-day life and outside
classroom was the key to making Tamil a living
language in Singapore.
From 2008, SST has become part of Singapore’s Tamil
language curriculum. The new syllabus was
implemented in 2008 for primary schools and in 2010
for secondary schools; the textbook materials were
produced in phases.
New Primary Tamil Syllabus (2015)
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Tamil Syllabus Review
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Tamil Language Curriculum Pedagogy Review Committee chaired
by Dr. N Varaprasad, Chief Executive Officer, National Library
Board completed their review and recommendations in 2005.
Why the need for Review?
• The curriculum was last reviewed in 1999. Further, there have
been language shifts at home for Indian students. 58% of Indian
students who entered Primary 1 in 2015 came from homes that
speak English predominantly.
• The objective is to nurture and sustain in all children an interest
in learning the mother tongue languages to the highest level they
are capable of, and in using the language well after they leave
school.
Issues and recommendations
1996: Need awareness on SST and second language pedagogy
1999: Tamil lessons are difficult for students and the change of
home language background
2004: Textbook reform, use of accessible language and link texts
with assessment and use of IT
2005: Shift in home language background and difficulty for
students to learn and write exams
2010: Use of IT and strengthening of the implementation of SST
Curriculum Planning & Development Division
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Goals of Singapore Tamil Education
• To make Tamil a living language amongst students by
enabling and inculcating in them the necessary skills to •
converse fluently in Tamil without hesitation.
• Objectives of Tamil language learning and teaching
• Inculcating the fundamental language skills of listening,
speaking, reading and writing and skills necessary for an •
exchange of opinions.
• To explain our heritage and tradition to students and to
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inculcate values necessary for nation-building.
• At the end of primary school, students will be able to:
• Read and understand passages suitable for their age
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• Converse in spoken Tamil without troubles
• Write incident-based & explanatory essays
• Exchange opinions via writing and speaking
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Learning Components of ‘Verbal Exchange of Opinions’
• Using suitable words and varied types of sentences to
express opinions with clarity
• To be able to begin, continue and end conversations
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appropriately
• To effectively exchange and explain their opinions
• To be able to answer questions by providing details and
also to ask question when the need arises
• To be able to converse according to the place, object and •
situation
• Recommended activities to develop skills to enable students
to exchange opinions verbally: classroom discussion, role
play, interviews, radio presentations and presenting •
opinions via speeches
They improve the syllabus every 5-6 years.
Their mission is to develop a curriculum to meet the needs
of the na tion, community and individual.
Some of their functions are: Syllabus design & review ,
Teaching approaches and assessment mode, Resources
Persisting Problems
Although SST is currently used in many classrooms, some
teachers still encourage their students to speak formal Tamil
in classrooms (Seetha, 125).
Syllabus and examinations may have changed but teaching
methods still show a strong inclination towards written
Tamil because the school management expects good results.
Students still learn and are encouraged to memorise
marabuthodargal, palamozhi, thirukkural, etc. which
increases one’s tendency to memorise written Tamil.
According to experts like Dr. Shanmugam K and Dr.
Seethalakshmi there is a limited enhancement of SST. These
aspects of the syllabus and examination are not necessarily
suited for daily interactions.
“The lessons are mostly about ancient kings and ancient
Tamil literature, which is very difficult for our Singapore
students to understand because they are in the 21st
century,” says Dr. Seetha.
Students come into Primary 1 from a spoken Tamil or an
English environment and they start to feel pressurized when
they are abruptly introduced to written Tamil. There needs
to be a better transition in this.
There can be more focus that is put into translation and
other activities that inculcate bilingualism amongst students.
Issue 5: Increasing the Usage of Tamil by Students Outside Classroom
PAGE 33