SINGAPORE – Mother tongue languages connect us to our roots, values and cultural heritage, helping us understand where we came from and who we are today, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Singapore Tamil Teachers’ Union (STTU) on July 17.

In a rapidly changing world, mother tongue languages are an anchor that gives us a strong sense of belonging and identity, he said, adding that they also reflect the Republic’s unique identity as a multiracial nation, where “we are all Singaporean first, while remaining deeply connected to the rich traditions of our respective cultures”.

While the learning of mother tongue languages is a cornerstone of our education system, mastering them is not an easy task today, PM Wong said in his address.

“More young Singaporeans are growing up in households where English is the primary language spoken.

“It is naturally the language they use most often in school, at work and in their daily interactions,” he said.

“For Tamil, the challenge can be even greater, because students have fewer natural opportunities to speak, read and use the language outside the classroom,” PM Wong said, adding that Tamil language teachers therefore play a critical role.

The Government is committed to working closely with STTU in its mission to support Tamil teachers and the teaching of Tamil, while continuing to bring together educators, families and community partners to celebrate the teaching and learning of mother tongue languages, he said.

STTU also works closely with the Ministry of Education through mentorship and advisory programmes to support Tamil teachers, he added.

“Together, these efforts help attract new teachers, support younger educators and strengthen the profession for the long term,” the Prime Minister said.

STTU understands that language learning needs to go beyond the classroom, he said, citing the Tamizhil Yosi Tamizhil Vaasi (Think In Tamil, Read In Tamil) c...