Curious - Tamil and schools

[wannamove]

I am just curious if Tamil is taught in schools? Being one of the national languages I would assume it is but a few school sites I have chanced upon did not have any information.

At what age do they start Tamil classes (if at all)? Do International Schools offer Tamil? What about preschools/kindergardens?

[boffenl]

Yes, some local schools do offer Tamil. However, if there is not a large enough cohort of students then they're bussed to a school off campus once or twice a week to another school.

Many of the students who do poorly on their Tamil mother tongue exams come from these programs. Of course, to truly master a language you need to hear it everyday. These kids (who tend to come from English speaking households) have a very tough time. Same with those who are learning Mandarin or Malay.

Good luck. The individual schools are the firts place to look.

The only International School that might teach Tamil is Global Indian. I've not heard of any others.

[SCinSG]

A number of International Schools offer Tamil language classes. They include:

- ACS International
- DPS International
- Global Indian International School
- NPS International School
- St. Joseph's Institution International.

[boffenl]

Thanks ScinSG, I always forget the local "international" schools-- their curricula is based on the SG MOE requirements and would, of course, offer the three official languages. They have good curricula (obviously) and hopefully have a large enough cohort at each level to have a Tamil class.

[wannamove]

Yes, some local schools do offer Tamil. However, if there is not a large enough cohort of students then they're bussed to a school off campus once or twice a week to another school.

Many of the students who do poorly on their Tamil mother tongue exams come from these programs. Of course, to truly master a language you need to hear it everyday. These kids (who tend to come from English speaking households) have a very tough time. Same with those who are learning Mandarin or Malay.

Good luck. The individual schools are the firts place to look.

The only International School that might teach Tamil is Global Indian. I've not heard of any others.

Thanks for the info! We do speak Tamil and English at home and that is the reason why I want my daughter to have formal Tamil classes with her curiculum instead . But it might take some looking around I guess.

Thank you

[wannamove]

A number of International Schools offer Tamil language classes. They include:

- ACS International
- DPS International
- Global Indian International School
- NPS International School
- St. Joseph's Institution International.

Thanks - do you know what age these classes start? Like do the start out in 1st grade or in like 6th grade?

[wannamove]

Thanks ScinSG, I always forget the local "international" schools-- their curricula is based on the SG MOE requirements and would, of course, offer the three official languages. They have good curricula (obviously) and hopefully have a large enough cohort at each level to have a Tamil class.

Okie - care to explain what local International Schools mean? I am totally ignorant to the terms and would like to know more

Thanks in advance

[boffenl]

Mother tongue classes start in Primary 1--my daughter's Mandarin class was on Monday at 10:15am in Primary 1, so from the very first day or school she was learning Mandarin.

My comment about local "international" schools was a bit cheeky. The International Schools mentioned are off-shoots of very successful local schools. They have "internationalized" a campus to take advantage of, or rather to offer their curricula to, international students. They are local yet not since the tuition prices are very high and the campuses sometimes have different extra-curricular activities than would a local school.

Not sure if that was exactly clear, but have a look at the international websites and then do a search for the local equivalent.

[wannamove]

Mother tongue classes start in Primary 1--my daughter's Mandarin class was on Monday at 10:15am in Primary 1, so from the very first day or school she was learning Mandarin.

My comment about local "international" schools was a bit cheeky. The International Schools mentioned are off-shoots of very successful local schools. They have "internationalized" a campus to take advantage of, or rather to offer their curricula to, international students. They are local yet not since the tuition prices are very high and the campuses sometimes have different extra-curricular activities than would a local school.

Not sure if that was exactly clear, but have a look at the international websites and then do a search for the local equivalent.

I totally get the local International Schools concept now! For a better campus and activites the parents pay more and the local school adds the word "international".

From day 1 language classes? perfect! exactly what I need - now to hunt for the school that has Tamil classes and is something I like and am comfortable with - it is going to be a long process I guess

Thanks again

[boffenl]

No problem, that's what we're here for--and good luck!