Published Aug 3, 2026
In 2026, seven My First Skool (MFS) educators were recognised at the Outstanding Preschool Mother Tongue Language Teacher (OPMTL) Awards. These awards recognise exceptional innovation in early childhood language acquisition for children aged 3-6. My First Skool utilises the proprietary PETAL™ (Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning) framework to foster bilingual confidence and ensure a seamless transition to primary school.
What is the significance of the OPMTL Awards?
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), the Malay Language Learning and Promotion Committee (MLLPC), and the Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee (TLLPC), the award celebrates outstanding preschool Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teachers who inspire a love for their mother tongue through engaging and meaningful learning experiences. It recognises educators for their passion, creativity and dedication in nurturing young children’s appreciation and use of their mother tongue languages.
This year, My First Skool’s seven award recipients mark a record achievement for the organisation. The recognition reflects the strength of My First Skool’s bilingual education, our rigorous and creative curriculum, and the dedication of our educators in fostering a lifelong love of Mother Tongue Languages among young children.
Who are the 2026 OPMTL Award-winning educators?
The following educators were recognised for their ability to cultivate linguistic love through immersive classroom environments.
Chinese Language
Outstanding Award
周書含 Zhou Shuhan
Blk 463 Clementi Ave 1
Merit Award
李夏 Li Xia
Blk 640B Tampines St 62
Merit Award
谢珮真 Hsieh Pei-Chen
Compassvale Crescent
Malay Language
Outstanding Award
Muhammad Danish Bin Sham
Blk 49 Rivervale Crescent
Merit Award
Nurul Afifah Binte Ismail
Bukit Batok West Ave 5
Merit Award
Nor Farynni Bte Abd Razak
6 Segar Road
Tamil Language
Merit Award
Vasudevan Nivasini
Bukit Batok East Ave 4
How does the PETAL™ pedagogy improve language learning?
The PETAL™ (Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning) framework facilitates mother tongue immersion by:
- Relationship-Based Learning: Anchoring language acquisition in the emotional connection between the child, the teacher, and their peers.
- Replacing Rote Drills: Shifting focus from repetitive memorisation to active, contextual use of language.
- Sensory Integration: Using cultural props and storytelling to create immersive classroom environments.
Bringing Joy Everyday: Mother Tongue Immersion Through Play and Culture
How do you get a preschooler to fall in love with a language? Our winners’ secret ingredient is simple: Joy.
Why Joy Matters in Language Learning
We know that for young children, learning happens best through genuine connection and play. Instead of repetitive drills, our educators create magical, language-rich environments where stories come to life, music fills the air, and children discover the beauty of their Mother Tongue through laughter and shared cultural adventures. This creates a natural mother tongue immersion environment where children absorb language rules naturally.
How does My First Skool prepare children for the Primary 1 transition?
Preparing your little one for a smooth Primary 1 transition can be a joyful journey rather than a stressful season of spelling drills at home. Through our holistic early childhood development programme, our dedicated teachers bring our proprietary PETAL™ pedagogy (Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning) to life. This child-centric framework naturally nurtures strong listening, speaking, and reading habits from an early age. By anchoring lessons within a relationship-based curriculum, we instil the essential linguistic confidence your child needs to thrive in their next academic chapter. Your child will step into Primary 1 with a natural, happy command of their Mother Tongue, fully equipped to communicate with ease and express themselves with immense pride.
Our award-winning educators’ passion for Mother Tongue learning does more than just teach, it inspires our children to love their language and culture every day.
To our award-winning educators, thank you for inspiring our children to discover the joy of language and take pride in their culture. Every child deserves teachers who make learning meaningful.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Discover how My First Skool can support your child’s language development and prepare them confidently for Primary 1.
Our PETAL™ (Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning) approach integrates language learning into active play, sensory activities, and real-life exploration. Instead of rote memorisation, children learn by using their Mother Tongue to express their thoughts, solve problems, and play with peers, building organic bilingual confidence.
Yes. The curriculum aligns with the Ministry of Education (MOE) Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework, ensuring our classes build the foundations needed for a confident transition to primary school.
Yes. All our teachers are ECDA-certified and undergo continuous professional development through NTUC First Campus.
Sources:
[1] Mother Tongue Languages Symposium (MTLS) Website, OPMTL Award, Ministry of Education (MOE).
