Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 46

Issue 7: Developing Interest in Tamil Amongst Students
Recommendation 3: Utilising Information Technology and mass media
• We can harness the power of social media or online resources. Websites and social media
pages can be developed to allow students to learn Tamil in a fun and engaging way.
Delegates noted that since parents play a crucial role in ensuring that youth communicate
in Tamil, websites can also be created for parents to learn how to teach Tamil to their
children. In some homes, we have interracial couples or parents who are not fluent in
Tamil. These parents often find the job of encouraging their children to speak in Tamil
very difficult. The proposed websites can inform parents on ways to approach the subject
and ways they can help their children learn Tamil.
• However, explaining the lyrics of old Tamil songs does inculcate some form of interest for
Tamil among students.
• Theatre (production) field trips are a great way for improving Tamil and developing an
interest for Tamil.
Recommendation 4: Incorporating Co-Curricular Activities during curriculum hours
• Incorporating Tamil cultural activities into Tamil lessons. Schools can take some elements
out of CCA activities and include it in Tamil lessons on regular basis. This would reduce
the focus on exams and grades and educate students on Tamil culture and values. For e.g.
Teachers can conduct Indian Dance lessons during normal lessons.
• Delegates proposed exploring the idea of setting up a few centres to offer Tamil CCAs for
Tamil youth. Tamil youth societies can be established and these societies can offer several
after-school CCA programmes for