SINGAPORE : "Mandarin is Cool" - that is the message of this year's Speak Mandarin Campaign, when it goes to the schools this month.
And it will begin at Raffles Girls Primary next Monday with the visit of popular local Mandarin singer Joi Chua, who is ambassador of the Speak Mandarin Campaign and and old girl of the school.
Joi will be singing her well-known hits such as "Watch the Sunrise With Me" as well as "I Wish To Hear You Speak", a pop song specially tailored for the Speak Mandarin Campaign by renowned composer-lyricist Liang Wern Fook.
Students will be provided with lyric sheets of the songs to encourage active sing-a-long and understanding of the Mandarin lyrical contents.
Besides performing her popular hits, she will also share her past experiences about learning Mandarin, the importance of Mandarin in her career, as well as offer advice to students who are weaker in the language.
The Speak Mandarin Campaign will continue its journey to more than 10 schools, including Zhonghua Secondary, Kong Hwa Primary, Hai Sing Catholic, Anderson Primary and Clementi Town Secondary.
The National Library Board hopes that by bringing Mandarin to young Chinese Singaporeans in schools through Mandarin pop music, the Speak Mandarin Campaign will inspire students to develop an increased interest in the language. - CNA