There are two main problems hindering good learning attitudes towards English.

First, we cannot escape the exam-oriented mindset which dominates the teaching of English. In secondary school, we believe that the grades in public exams are the most reliable indicator of proficiency in English. In university, it is the English Language Testing System.

Most people may have a misconception that after they have passed the necessary exams, they have completed the English learning process.

We learn for work and for studying, but do not learn for our daily lives.

It is good that we should set targets when studying, but learning should be a continuous process and we should keep advancing.

With regard to Putonghua and English, sometimes people can get confused in Hong Kong about which language should be mastered first.

We have become more aware of the importance of Putonghua since the handover.

For employees in certain jobs, it may be a difficult choice.

For example, someone working in a large accounting firm may be stationed on the mainland, and for them Putonghua is important.

Others may be working here with US and British clients, in which case Putonghua does not matter.

All language learning is highly contextualised and up to the individual. Having the right attitude is important.

I think language cell learning should be promoted in the workplace.

This will help people realise that learning English is more than exams and having the necessary standard for the workplace.

Stefan Lam Kit-yung, Tuen Mun

Charity does its bit to promote language skills

I refer to David Akers-Jones' letter ('How to improve English and Putonghua standards in Hong Kong', February 14).

Whilst I agree fully with Sir David that English is a global language, I cannot agree that it is the British Council that is making the most effort in 'reaching out to the call from our upwardly mobile aspirants to improve their English'.

I would like to draw Sir David's and your readers' attention to the work of the English-Speaking Union (HK).

Operating without a government subsidy of any kind, we are a non-political, registered educational charity with members in 58 countries.

In Hong Kong we focus on the uses of English as a communication tool and we provide a variety of opportunities for Hong Kong people to use English in many different circumstances. We do this in our meet at the ESU, English in action, play-reading, language clinic, public-speaking and debating activities.

We publish a monthly newsletter and we also offer scholarships for residents to attend the ESU's annual international public-speaking competition in London (won four times, now, by students from the mainland); an annual, international relations' conference at Oriel College, Oxford and a seminar/workshop at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

In the spring of 2009, we will bring a highly qualified debate squad to Hong Kong to work with senior secondary schools and in the same year, we will be launching several other significant projects. We are all unpaid volunteers, except for one excellent, part-time administrator.

Verner Bickley, chairman, executive committee, English-Speaking Union, Hong Kong

Drawing lessons

from acid attack

The acid attack in Mong Kok last weekend made me think about the traditional Confucianist qualities Chinese have traditionally followed ('Dozens of Christmas shoppers hurt as bottles of acid rain down', December 14).

Confucianism teaches us to care for our fellow man and this attack made me think how much our world has changed and how so many people's hearts seem to have been contaminated. People are much less considerate.

I could not understand how someone could do such a thing.

However, then I read that passers-by had offered a helping hand to the victims, not thinking about their own safety and the possibility that there might be a further attack.

We can learn from the attitude of these pedestrians, not to be selfish and always willing to help.

Cheung Kwan-tang, Kwun Tong

Total smoking ban is the only answer

As I am one of the many people who have to put up with second-hand smoke every day, I think it is time for the government to impose tougher laws for smokers.

However, I must question the efficacy of Hong Kong's current and proposed regulations.

Smokers can still be seen lighting up in no-smoking areas. While smoking is banned in certain places, many smokers can still be seen in these areas.

To solve this problem, the government plans a fixed penalty of HK$1,500 for a smoking offence. We have a similar penalty for littering and yet people litter every day and do not get caught.

The creation of smoking areas has a downside. They are outside and so you see a lot of smokers gathered in public outdoor places such as patios, the street, outside restaurants, and parks. The air reeks of smoke, and people near them have to inhale second-hand smoke.

Only by completely banning smoking in Hong Kong will the problem be solved.

Until then, no law can stop smokers from polluting the air and damaging the health of others.

Kimberly Kwan, Quarry Bay

Backing bridge

The Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge is a proposed series of bridges and tunnels that would connect the west side of Hong Kong with Macau and the neighbouring city of Zhuhai , on the west side of the Pearl River Delta and part of the mainland's southern industrial powerhouse.

This is great for the region though there are many environmental issues that need to be resolved.

Our leaders should also think about their legacy, look to the future and make this bridge a world-famous showpiece.

Why not add windmills to the structural supports and also tide catchers? If this was done I can imagine this bridge becoming a large green power plant, a great help in an area which is already polluted. There would be new industries, jobs and a better quality of life.

Stephen Anderson, Macau

Mainland ticket query

As the KCR is now a part of the MTR, I would like to ask the MTR management a very simple question. When are passengers who want to buy direct train tickets to various destinations on the mainland going to be able to buy them at any MTR station in Hong Kong?

Trying to book over the internet is frustrating in the extreme, trying to obtain information by telephone is even worse. So why not make it possible for travellers to just go to their local MTR station and book and buy tickets? With modern technology this should not present the MTR management with any great problems.

Bob Beadman, Ma Wan