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SCMP Reporter

TV, films can help improve English

English is an important international language. If we are fluent in English, we can communicate with people all over the world and learn about their cultures.

But it's difficult for the Chinese to learn English since they have few opportunities to listen to and speak the language.

Also, their English skills won't improve because they are shy to talk in English.

The  easiest way to improve our English is by watching western TV programmes or movies. This also helps us learn more about western cultures.

To speak English fluently, we can try to imitate the westerners' pronunciation.

We should try to ignore the Cantonese subtitles when watching English films.

There are no shortcuts to improving our language skills.

If you want to improve your English, you should work hard.

Yeung Ka-po

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen  Yiu Memorial College

Office comfort

Should employees wear casual clothes to office? It depends on their position and the type of work they do.

I agree that  informal clothes liven up the office environment.

Besides, workers in casual attire use less air conditioning than those who wear suits.

It is all right for people with desk jobs to wear casual clothes. But those who have to go out and meet clients might have a different view.

When it comes to office attire, employees should strike a balance between comfort and the nature of their work.

Tiffany Tse

Shek Lei Catholic  Secondary School

Equal rights for all

We should accept all humans, irrespective of whether they are homosexuals or lesbians.

I'm a Catholic, but I'm not   against homosexuality.

Some religious people ask homosexuals to change because the Bible says being gay is wrong.

I think this is absolute rubbish. God  will accept homosexuals because  He doesn't make mistakes.

We don't have the right to judge because we are not perfect.

Discriminating against someone because of their sexual orientation  is unacceptable. I hope  we will put an end to this kind of harassment.

John Bryan Fonte

HKMA David Li Kwok  Po College

Competitions can enrich life

Competitions take place every day in your life, depending on whether you notice them.

People complain that competitions give them too much pressure.

So, why do we have them?

Apart from the prizes on offer, competitions  encourage you to work towards your goals.

You set a target when you join a competition.

You will achieve this target only if you work hard and try your best.

Practice is also important. Although this can ensure you have better skills,  many changes  occur when you are actually taking part in a contest, especially a sports event.

Competitions can help build up your knowledge  as well as friendships.

Recently, I joined an inter-division foot-drill competition organised by St John's Ambulance Cadet Region. I worked  with nearly 45 people.

The training sessions enhanced our team spirit.

Competitions also put us under pressure and might turn friends into enemies. I was afraid of this earlier. But, having taken part in competitions with a positive attitude, I  discovered that they can influence my life and bring many wonderful memories.

Connie Ho Sum-yi

SKH Lam Kau Mow  Secondary School

Fast food a life saver

Fast food rocks! I think  it's a life-saver. McDonald's offers yummy meals and is probably the best fast-food restaurant in Hong Kong.

Who doesn't eat fast food in Hong Kong? It is the most delicious thing on Earth!

Suppose your parents forgot to give you lunch, what would you do? Simple - you go to the nearest fast-food restaurant and grab something to eat. Being happy is important in life and fast food  gives you happiness. Fast food, which includes burgers, fries, sodas and shakes, can light up your life.

Do you have any spare cash now? If you do, run to the nearest fast-food restaurant and buy a soda or something.

Be happy,  and enjoy fast food!

Usra Hafiz

Terror at night

I hate nightmares because they are really annoying.

In your dreams, you might be chased by a ghost or you could be standing in your underwear.

I always ask myself: 'Why are nightmares so scary?'

I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night shivering. Nightmares take place at unexpected times.

After I have a nightmare, the same horrible vision comes to my mind every 10 minutes! It's very disturbing.

Sometimes I'm scared when I'm home alone. I get the feeling that the nightmares might come true. I dread nightmares.

Aska Cheung

Pet insurance a good move

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)  has offered an insurance scheme for pet owners.

This is a very good move  because it can help solve the problem of pets being abandoned by their owners.

As the pets get older, they are no longer cute and suffer from various diseases.

Responsible pet owners should take the animals to a vet. But some selfish people don't want to pay the costly medical bills so they abandon their pets.

The new insurance scheme will allow owners to  make claims when their pets are ill or injured, or even if their pets die.

They don't have to worry about the  medical bills.

By offering this insurance scheme, the SPCA will help reduce the suffering of animals in Hong Kong.

Chan King-kok

Po Leung Kuk Tang  Yuk Tien College

Teen guidance

Teenagers face peer pressure and find it hard to cope with their problems.

Some parents might not understand their children and their children  could feel neglected.

Love affairs and stress at home and school can leave teenagers in a fragile state.

The government should take steps to guide troubled teens onto the right path.

Besides, the media plays a vital role. It should not influence young people in a bad way.

Camille Joyce R. Marcelo  and  Jehonna Marie B. Bilan

Delia Memorial School (Broadway)

Spend money wisely

Many Hong Kong teenagers get money from their parents, but they don't spend it wisely.

They use most of their pocket money to buy expensive items, such as i-Pods, mobile phones and MP3s.

They should save some money for a rainy day.

They should develop the habit of saving, which will benefit them later in life.

Fong Po-yi

Our Lady of the  Rosary College



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