Language Programs and Policies in Singapore Quiz

Singapore's Profile

• Singapore is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.
• It has been Southeast Asia's most modern city for over a century.

History of Singapore

• Initially known as Temasek, derived from the Javanese word "tasek" meaning "sea", in the 3rd century.
• Singapore served as a trading post for the Srivijaya Empire before becoming part of the Majapahit Empire.
• It became a crown colony in 1867 and a vital British naval base in Southeast Asia.
• Singapore played a crucial role in global trade and was known as the "Gibraltar of the East".
• It gained independence from Britain in 1963 as part of the Federation of Malaysia.

Language Education and Policies

• Singapore's education system emphasizes bilingualism.
• Students are required to learn English as their first language and a second language based on their ethnic group (Mandarin Chinese, Malay, or Tamil).
• The Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Program promotes the learning and use of mother tongue languages (Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil) to preserve cultural identity and heritage.
• Mother tongue languages are taught as a second language in schools, and efforts are made to encourage their use in daily life and community activities.