On 22nd Feb 2023, I performed in the Mother Tongue Assembly as a student in DP Self-taught Mandarin. I read a poem written by myself called “Seasons”.

The poem was constructed from a 1st person point of view, showing a direct conversation between myself and Sri Lanka. Throughout the poem, I used rhyme, metaphor, motif, and personification. But most importantly, I was able to utilize symbolism, such as rainforests, waves, and white storks to indicate the natural qualities of Sri Lanka, and express my learnings in the environment. I was also able to have a direct conversation with OSC, to appreciate the community where I grew and developed for the past 6 years, and therefore further explore my realizations as a student and a global citizen in Sri Lanka. (LO7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.)

On top of my own performance, it was also my pleasure to be one of the four MCs of the event. As the senior self-taught students, we were invited to lead the assembly and reflect on our past experiences. Speech by US ambassador Julie Cheng, who is a polyglot, also inspired me to continue pursue my passion in my mother language.

I am grateful for this opportunity to share the beauty of Mandarin, and showcase my linguistic skills after 4 years in the curriculum. (4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.) The value that is placed in recognizing our mother tongue as an important aspect of our learning makes our school experience richer and more meaningful at OSC.