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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