Definition
In Singapore, tertiary education can be defined as education |
that |
is |
at |
pursued |
post-secondary |
level. |
This |
includes |
institutions |
such |
as |
Junior |
Colleges, |
centralised |
institutes, |
Polytechnics, |
Institute |
of |
Technical |
Education |
( ITE) |
and |
Universities. |
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Perceived low take-up rate
• With the exception of the courses offered by NIE and Ngee Ann Polytechnic which come with a bond or ready economic opportunities in the education sector, very few students opt for these tertiary courses.
• Given that students in Singapore are pragmatic in their outlook, economic prospects influence their decision to take up a certain course. Other courses might be able to open the doors to a larger variety of career prospects compared to Tamil courses.
• Also, students might feel that taking Tamil as a H2 subject for‘ A’ levels for example, might affect their university or scholarship prospects. This might deter them from taking these courses as well.
• These courses might sometime be perceived as boring or less interesting compared to other options. The content presented in the course materials might be irrelevant as well.
• Many students study mother tongue as an academic subject out of compulsion. As such, most students drop Mother Tongue in Junior College as they are no longer required to take it as long as they pass their Higher Mother Tongue in Secondary School. This might be attributed to a lack in interest or passion for the language itself.
• Some students might not be competent enough in Tamil to take up these subjects as well. For example, H3 Tamil Language and Literature offered at‘ A’ level examinations requires significant amount of expertise in the language from the candidates sitting for the examination.
Effects of lack of formal instruction during tertiary education
• In 2009, a study done by an Honours year student from the Department of English Language in FASS, NUS found that those who were still attending formal lessons in Tamil in school were able to retain the language to a better extent.
• Furthermore, there is a largely English environment in Singapore. There has been an undeniable increase in Englishspeaking homes as well.
• Hence, when the only interaction with Tamil, which is during Tamil lessons is removed from most tertiary level courses, students inevitably lose touch with Tamil.
Tertiary Level Education of Tamil Language
Author: Ms. Azeena Badarudeen
Current available options to pursue Tamil at tertiary level
Junior College
• H1 Tamil is offered to students who took only‘ O’ level Tamil or did not pass their‘ O’ level Higher Tamil
• H2 Tamil Language and Literature includes the study of Tamil Literature in addition to the H1 Tamil syllabus
• H3 Tamil Language and Literature offered to exceptional students in addition to H2 Tamil Language and Literature
Polytechnic
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic announced the introduction of a Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education in June 2016
• This course is intended for those who are passionate about teaching the Tamil Language to pre-school pupils.
• Prospective students can apply for the MOE Teacher Training Scheme or Early Childhood Development Agency( ECDA) Training Award with this diploma. These scholarships will cover the tuition fees and also provide a monthly allowance.
Institute of Technical Education( ITE)
• None so far
National University of Singapore( NUS):
• Tamil Studies modules in the Department of South Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• In these modules, students will be able to explore Tamil grammar in greater detail,. They will also read novels, short stories, poems and present a review. Students will explore more into Sangam literature as well.
National Institute of Education( NIE)
• Prospective teachers can pursue a Diploma in Mother Tongue Language teaching or a Post-graduate Diploma in Education( PGDE) to teach Tamil in schools.
• There is also a Master in Education( Tamil Language) programme which started in NTU / NIE in 2006 for current teachers.
Singapore Institute of Management( UniSIM):
• Degree courses in Tamil usually offered to those who have obtained a Diploma in Mother Tongue Language teaching and wish to improve their current level of qualification.
China Studies in English
• This is a programme that is offered at‘ A’ level examinations
• Students can take this subject at either H1 or H2 level.
• The objectives of this subject are to:
• Gain a broad exposure to key issues related to the development of contemporary China
• Deepen their understanding of the Chinese, their culture and ways of thinking
• Develop an awareness and appreciation of diversity among the people and regions of China
• Appreciate the geopolitical and economic implications of China’ s rise as a regional and global player
• Develop an understanding of the social and environmental implications ofChina’ s development
• Develop skills in evaluating diverse perspectives on China and arrive at an informed judgement of issues
• Is it possible to have a parallel India Studies subject? What are the possible challenges to be overcame?
• Would students be interested in such a programme? How can we tweak the programme to develop an interest for it amongst students?
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