I have an idea which would make visitors feel welcome when they came to Hong Kong and improve the language standards of students.
Form Six and second-year university students could become volunteer tour guides.
In the US student volunteers act as guides in the FBI Building and in the White House. They introduce themselves, say which college they attend, and tell visitors they are proud to be their guide for the tour.
I do not think it would be asking too much of students to give up one month of college to do a similar thing here. Form Six students have more time before the heavy workload they face in Form Seven. First-year undergraduates are still getting used to their new academic environment and those in third year must prepare for their finals. Therefore, year-two students would be the perfect choice.
They could be stationed, for example, at Wong Tai Sin Temple. They could show visitors around, explain the temple's history and what Hong Kong people do when they go there. Also, they could be allocated a small portion of trams and Star Ferries, so they could explain to visitors what they were seeing as they travelled along Hong Kong Island and across the harbour.
This would enable visitors to learn more about Hong Kong and would help them to feel welcome. Students would benefit, because they could practise their English and Mandarin. After a month their speaking skills in a foreign language would have improved.
