Resumen de Language choice and religious identities in three Singaporean madrasahs

Phyllis Ghim-Lian Chew

• This article is a comparative study of language choice and religious identities of three Singapore weekend madrasahs. The article reveals how language choice or the medium of instruction, be it Arabic, Malay or English, may directly influence or is intricately connected to religious identities as manifested in an array of classroom semiotics and pedagogical practices. The methodology used includes ethnographic research methods ranging from field notes, participant observations and audio and video tapes to interviews with pupils, teachers and parents.