Your correspondent Tin-yu Cheung's call for 'more tests and examinations' as a way of improving the standard of students' English (letter, South China Morning Post, December 9), reveals a worrying absence of logic.
Such ideas would condemn Hong Kong youth to further frustration and failure in efforts to develop English competency. Language is a social and cultural tool, best acquired within the context of meaningful and functional 'real life' activities.
An elaborate exam system which tests a very limited number of discrete skills, Hong Kong has discouraged a teaching-learning process which exposes students to the richness and depth of the English language.
Why teach and learn English when only the drills and skills are examined? One way to ensure an improvement in English competency is to abandon the narrow, dull and demoralising exam-driven system so that teachers can begin teaching English, as opposed to 'teaching the exam'.
Fortunately, there are many Hong Kong parents, students, teachers and others who acknowledge this crucial distinction and have spoken clearly against more tests and exams.
TERENCE O'ROURKE Sai Kung
