56 migrant domestic workers graduate from Hokkien language classes

Singapore – Dozens of domestic helpers have completed conversational Hokkien classes aimed at improving communication with elderly employers, as the nation prepares for a rapidly aging population.

Bridging the Communication Gap

Ms. Hilda Tunliu, a domestic helper of 20 years, found a need to learn Hokkien while caring for an 88-year-old woman and her 97-year-old husband. Initially communicating through gestures, she began picking up basic phrases as the couple spoke to each other. “The first time I spoke to Ah Gong (grandpa) in Hokkien, he was very surprised, but he was so happy,” Ms. Hilda, 51, recounted.

She has since learned phrases like “jiak ba buay?” (“have you eaten?”) and how to inquire about her employer’s comfort and pain levels.

Graduation and Support

On Feb. 8, Ms. Hilda was among 56 domestic helpers who graduated from a conversational Hokkien class conducted by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy (SHHKCA), in collaboration with NTUC’s Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE). Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang stated that better communication fosters understanding and empathy between domestic workers and their employers.

“This learning exchange builds harmonious relationships, creates mutual respect and a sense of belonging for everyone involved,” Huang said. “When we create spaces for learning and sharing, we strengthen the bonds that make Singapore a caring and inclusive society.”

With Singapore becoming a super-aged society in 2026 – where at least one in five Singaporeans is 65 or older – catering to the needs of senior citizens is a priority, he added.

Positive Impact on Relationships

Ms. Hilda noted that the classes, which included role-playing real-life scenarios, helped her connect better with the mother of her current employer, Ms. Jileen Ng. Ms. Ng confirmed that the communication gap between Ms. Hilda and her 69-year-old mother had significantly decreased, eliminating the need for translation.

“This initiative is really useful because the elderly at home are usually more comfortable speaking in dialect, and sometimes they cannot express themselves well in English and Mandarin,” Ms. Ng said. “There’s really been a big change. Now, I can see that it’s a lot easier for Hilda and my mother to communicate on a daily basis.”

Addressing Dementia and Building Connections

Ms. Thiri Phone Htut, a 33-year-old Myanmar national, also graduated from the course. She sought to improve communication with the 88-year-old woman with dementia she cares for. “Ah Ma can’t speak Mandarin or English. So I decided to learn some Hokkien to be able to converse with her and learn more of her needs,” Ms. Thiri said, who has been working in Singapore for three years.

She recounted that the elderly woman used to become frustrated due to the communication barrier. “It was very difficult at the start, but slowly over time we improved our relationship after I learnt how to speak to her. We are much closer, and she also recognises me and my name,” Ms. Thiri said. Her employers were supportive, providing meals during class sessions.

Expansion of Language Programs

The conversational Hokkien classes began in July 2025, following a partnership agreement between CDE and SHHKCA signed a month earlier. CDE has also agreed with The Salvation Army to offer similar Cantonese classes for migrant domestic workers. Pilot runs of the classes included 25 participants in Cantonese and 11 in Hokkien.

Approximately 80 domestic workers have completed the Hokkien classes, and 60 have taken the Cantonese classes, according to Michael Lim, director of NTUC’s migrant workers segment. The initiative will continue for at least another year, until June 2027, based on the success of the pilot programs and feedback received.

“Having run through the pilot period, together with the feedback we’ve received from the employers and the migrant domestic workers, I can say we are planning to continue this for at least the next year,” said Mr. Lim.