From: Clyde, Pri 5, Sengkang Green Primary
Xin Chào! Xin Chào means “hello” in Vietnamese. Learning some simple Vietnamese phrases during my school exchange programme is one of my main takeaways from the trip to Vietnam. I believe that communication is the language of strong interpersonal relationships. Likewise, picking up a different language is about bridging people, places, and cultures.
Some people learn a foreign language so that they can watch and understand their favourite Korean drama series. Others are chasing their K-pop dreams. I find appreciating and grasping one of our national languages, Malay, far more important. Last year, I attended fundamental Malay language lessons as part of the school enrichment programme. It has since brought me closer to my Malay classmates, being able to “speak the same language”. Additionally, I could finally understand the Singapore National Anthem better. Have I mentioned, ordering my favourite Muslim food is also now a breeze? Sedap!
My paternal grandmother would communicate with my father in Cantonese. Even though they could speak Mandarin, communicating in their own dialect connected them and fostered a sense of belonging. They sure sounded like they were talking gibberish to me, but in fact, the sound waves travelled all the way back to their cultural roots. What about the unspoken language ── the body language? The power of language is endless. Perhaps with Artificial Intelligence, we could soon express ourselves without saying a word. Till then, ciao!
From: Josie, Pri 5, Sengkang Green Primary
Growing up in a bilingual home, languages were never just words — they were windows into different worlds. At breakfast, my mother’s gentle Mandarin filled the kitchen as she described the fragrant jasmine tea steeping on the stove. Meanwhile, my father’s English jokes echoed from the living room, making me laugh and sometimes scratch my head. School was an exciting battlefield where English ruled, but Chinese lessons always pulled me back to my roots. I remember struggling with Chinese characters — those intricate strokes seemed like puzzles I would never solve. Yet, every time I finally recognised a new word, it felt like unlocking a secret treasure chest.
Languages shaped how I saw people and life. Switching between English and Chinese was not just about communication; it was about identity. With English, I was confident, outgoing, and ready to take on the world. With Chinese, I was connected to my family’s stories, history, and traditions. Once, during a family gathering, I translated a funny Chinese proverb into English, making everyone burst into laughter. It was a magical moment — like being a bridge between two cultures. I feel lucky to speak both English and Chinese. Sometimes it is hard, but it is also fun because I get to talk to lots of different people and learn cool things from both languages. I cannot wait to get better and discover more!
From: Hoi Yan, Pri 6, Damai Primary
Languages are very important. They not only allow us to communicate with each other but also give us our identity. Language is also a key component of culture, exposing us to different perspectives, values, and traditions. Learning a new language can also lead to having a deeper appreciation of a culture, whether it is different or your own. My first language is English and then I learnt Mandarin. In primary school, I was also taught some basic Malay in school during our CCE lessons, and I can communicate with my Malay neighbours with basic Malay and improve my skills. When I travelled to Japan, the locals spoke in Japanese, so I had a problem communicating with them. In Singapore, some neighbours speak Tamil, and I have trouble understanding them too. Even talking to my Chinese neighbours in Mandarin is difficult as they talk rapidly and use words that I’m unfamiliar with. I would have traded anything not to learn Mandarin. However, my recent trip to Chengdu changed my entire opinion. During this trip, I realised how interesting Mandarin can be — every character has its own story, every line encasing much meaning. After that trip, it was not the places I went to that were most memorable. It was being able to speak, appreciate, and improve my Mandarin on that trip. That was definitely one of the most meaningful experiences in my life!
From: Jayden, Pri 5, Sengkang Green Primary
I live in Singapore, a country full of different people and languages. I switch between languages, depending on where I am and who I am with. At home, I usually speak English and Mandarin. I communicate with my friends in English ─ and of course, some Singlish too! With my grandparents, I mostly speak Mandarin to them, but I will also include some English words as well. In school, I learn some Malay and Indian words too, like “Terima kasih” and “Vanakkam.” I will always feel a spark of joy when I say one of those phrases and someone smiles back at me. Languages allow me to connect and understand other people better. At the hawker centre, I hear many uncles and aunties speaking in different dialects, like Hokkien, Cantonese, and Teochew. On public transport, I sometimes hear people speaking in foreign languages, such as Korean, Japanese, and many more. Every language is like music to my ears. Once, I overheard some old uncles chatting in Hokkien. They were laughing and joking. I do not know the dialect well, but I could guess what they meant through their happy faces. In my opinion, I think that languages open doors to new friendships and ideas. In Singapore, languages are what makes our country diverse and unique.
From: Natalie, Pri 5, Sengkang Green Primary
Languages have always been a big part of my life, even though I only speak English and Mandarin fluently. My Mother Tongue is Mandarin. My grandparents, who speak Teochew, would talk to me in their dialect. I understood some words but was only able to speak in simple words. Even though I did not speak well, it helped me feel connected to my roots and brought happiness to my family. We had laughter due to my funny pronunciations. When I visited Japan during the holidays, I learned a few basic Japanese phrases to order food at McDonald’s. Ordering the meal was exciting. Even though I did not understand everything, I managed to communicate well with the friendly cashier in full Japanese. It was an amazing experience! During a school trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, I learned to greet people with “Xinchao” which means “Hello”. The warm smiles I got in return made me feel welcome. Even though my Vietnamese was simple, trying to speak their language helped me connect with the locals. Later on, I visited Hong Kong, where Cantonese was spoken. I picked up words like “Doh je” which means “Thank you”. These experiences taught me that language is more than just about communication ── it is a powerful way to stay connected with others and understand their cultures. I am looking forward to picking up some basic phrases for my upcoming trip to Korea. I will continue to nurture my curiosity and keep learning more about different languages and cultures.