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SCMP Reporter

Celebrate a green Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is just four days away.
This is a time to celebrate, but we need to think of our planet, too.
Hong Kong people waste a lot of things during important festivals, especially Lunar New Year celebrations.
Most people throw away their old things and buy new ones for the new year. It doesn't make any sense.
We cannot continue to waste the Earth's valuable resources. They are limited so we need to preserve them.
If you are thinking about decorating your flat, for example, use the decorations from last year. This way, you will help save the planet as well as money.
Also, we use a lot of plastic bags during this festive period.  I urge people to bring their own bags when they go shopping.
In addition, they could choose products with less packaging.
Food wastage is another big problem. Restaurants are packed at this time of the year. And the majority of the customers order more than they can eat. The result is mountains of rubbish which end up in landfills. The garbage releases methane gas which pollutes the environment.
People also buy new clothes which they throw away after a short time.
They should donate them to organisations which help  poor people.
Only some people in Hong Kong are eco-friendly. If we all support environmental protection, the world will be a much better place.
Zhou Xiaomin, Our Lady of the Rosary College
There's no joy  in dictation
I have been doing dictation since I was in kindergarten. I thought it was boring then and I still think so.
In Chinese, teachers read a poem or passage aloud and we have to write it down. In English, we use this method to learn difficult words.
Teachers say dictation helps us improve our English. I don't agree. We won't gain anything through rote learning.
Learning should be fun; dictation is definitely not. This method is outdated. Teachers can introduce games and other interactive methods to boost their students' language skills.
As US President Barack Obama said, it's time for change.
Sophia, St Rose of Lima's College
Apology should come from the heart
I am writing in response to Elaine Tse's letter 'Hardest word to say' (Young Post, January 19).
She thinks 'sorry' is the hardest word to say for those who have done something wrong. These people don't want to apologise because they are too proud or are embarrassed.
I agree with her views. But sometimes this word can be overused, especially by local officials.
When they commit a blunder, they simply apologise to the public, like the head of a medical centre did recently.
This is all too easy. And it does not come from the heart. Therefore, the word has little meaning.
Lily Chan, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School
PE lessons should  be more fun
There are many ways to promote PE in school.
Most importantly, these lessons should be more interesting and lively. For example, ice skating is a popular sport among students. But few schools have a skating rink.
Schools should provide students who are interested in ice skating with a venue.
Then there's judo and boxing, which are more suitable for boys. Aerobic exercise and dancing are also healthy activities.
School can also invite popular athletes to speak to their students.
Let's have fun during PE!
Katherine Chung, Leung Shek Chee College



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