My brother and I would be lying on the floor, our faces buried in the Sunday Comics.

'Listen to this, Joyce!' my father would say to my mother when he came across a particularly fascinating article.

He would then talk about some interesting point and my mother would respond at the appropriate time with exclamations like 'Oh my!' and 'Really!'

Afterwards, they would often discuss key points, along with relevant issues that may not have been mentioned.

Once in a while, my father would ask what we thought as well.

Little did I know at the time that I was actually learning a valuable skill.

I did not consider it an intellectual exercise until I became an English teacher.

One morning, as I read a report about the deforestation of the Amazon and its environmental consequences, I began to ponder on the economic engines that were driving this process. Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning.

My students could choose certain articles and create discussion groups. Just as my parents had done, I could stimulate conversation about the issue. This would allow my students to hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

I immediately implemented my plan and it was a big hit with both parents and students. I found the key was to let the students choose articles that interested them.

After coming to Hong Kong I have continued these exercises in my classes. I have found that they help improve students' reading skills and creativity. Also, the children become more interested in current affairs.

One group just finished a discussion about deforestation in Malaysia that appeared in a South China Morning Post article and they came up with some great ideas to solve the problem.

If you have time on Sunday mornings, turn off the television and computer games for 30 minutes, and read the paper with your parents.

Then, when you find a particularly interesting article, say: 'Hey, listen to this ... !'

Lyle Thomas Kleusch

English teacher

Time to take closer look at the facts

Ma Lik, a so-called 'patriot', has claimed that there was no massacre on June 4.

I think he should be ashamed.

There were many witnesses and even the foreign media saw what happened in Tiananmen Square on that fateful day.

There is plenty of evidence to prove the wicked and unprovoked attack on patriotic students.

A patriot does not always agree with the government. They stand on the side of the people and try to point out injustice.

Being students, especially since we 'hadn't received proper national education', we should care about what happened on June 4.

I would like to quote Mr Ma: 'Freedom of speech is not absolute; it should be based on facts.'

Moivre Hung Pui-ki

CNEC Christian College

Acquire knowledge through reading

Although there are many ways to acquire knowledge, nothing can beat reading.

You can read whenever you are free - on a bus or train, during recess or lunch break in school or before you go to bed. I am sure you can spare some time for this important task.

The students in my school have to spend at least 15 minutes reading English books - twice a week - before they start their lessons.

You won't gain enough knowledge simply by listening to TV or radio programmes.

Nowadays a wide variety of books, newspapers and magazines are available, but teenagers should pick the right one. Beginning today, set aside 30 minutes for reading, and you will soon find a great improvement in your language skills.

Arnold Au Kin-wai

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Changes will help elderly patients

I'm writing in response to the article 'Clinic booking system more user-friendly' (South China Morning Post, May 15).

A telephone booking system for government outpatient clinics was launched last October.

The Hospital Authority announced that about 85 per cent of patients used this system to book an appointment with a doctor.

Changes have now been introduced to this booking system to help elderly patients.

I believe that more elderly patients will use the system in future.

The authority should have more telephone operators to help people who still have problems making an appointment.

Also, the authority needs to set aside quotas for walk-in patients because they may have problems using the telephone booking system.

We should not neglect these patients.

Chan On-yi

Our Lady of the Rosary College

Punish shop-owners who cheat tourists

I would like to draw the readers' attention to the dishonest practices of some Hong Kong shop-owners.

Hong Kong has long been regarded as a shopping paradise. Mainland tourists are willing to shop here because they believe the products are genuine.

But things have been changed now. Unscrupulous shop-owners have tarnished the city's reputation. Hong Kong might no longer be a shopping paradise for mainland tourists.

The tourism industry is vital to the SAR's economy.

The government should strengthen efforts to prevent shop-owners from cheating their customers.

It should introduce tough new laws and increase the penalty for offenders.

Officers should also carry out frequent checks on shops catering to foreigners. Such measures can help persuade mainland tourists that Hong Kong is still a shoppers' haven.

Joyce Yau

Hang Seng School of Commerce

Song tells about misery of war

I really like Declan Galbraith's song, Tell Me Why.

I've seen the song's video, too. He was only 10 years old when he sang the song, which is full of emotion.

The song is about children who have been affected by war.

They feel very sad about the conflict. War destroys the environment and hurts so many people, including children. So they don't understand why people continue to fight each other.

Why can't they be friends? The children want peace and love, not war or hatred.

Declan sings very well and I like the song's lyrics.

The words are meaningful and point out that war is a bad thing and brings misery to people.

I think people who are fighting should listen to reason and change their minds as soon as possible.

If you have time, you can listen to Tell Me Why.

Lau Lai-ming

Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School