bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Letters

NETs doing an excellent job in schools
I refer to the letter by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee ("NET scheme needs overhaul to improve its effectiveness", June 27).
She is right when she says that "proficiency in English is of utmost importance to Hong Kong's continued success as an international city". She is also right to say that "the best way to master a foreign language is to immerse oneself in an environment where only that language is used" and that that is why parents send children to international or overseas boarding schools. She then points the finger at the native-speaking English teacher scheme for being the reason why the Diploma of Secondary Education English language pass rate is so poor, and implies that NETs choose an easy life by "reading poetry" rather than "correcting grammar".
Is she really suggesting that the policy of having one NET in each school can be held responsible for these exam results? And is she suggesting that the NET scheme is in any way comparable with the total immersion of an international school?
Has Regina Ip actually taken the time to visit schools and speak to NETs to see what an excellent job they do? I know many NETs who would love to show her around the English corners they have built, mostly in their own time, and who could explain to her the constant demands they are under to produce fresh and exciting teaching ideas.
NETs cannot be held responsible for the secondary school results. It is the responsibility of politicians who have been around for the same time, or longer, than the NET scheme, such as Regina Ip, for the lamentable standard of English of today's youth.
If you want "total immersion" then you have to pay for it by making all schools English-medium schools, but you are not going to get it from any number of politicians bashing NETs or the NET scheme.
Perhaps Regina Ip could use her undoubted English language skills to put her own house in order first and become a NET for the Legislative Council. The standard of English of some Legco members is embarrassingly bad and sets a dreadful example to those they purport to represent.
Lee Faulkner, Kennedy Town 
 
Critics of scheme ignore reality
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee is, sadly and surprisingly, out of touch with what is actually happening in our classrooms ("NET scheme needs overhaul to improve its effectiveness", June 27). As she says in her letter, "NETs should also be deployed to fix students' grammatical mistakes, not just to read poetry or conduct English conversations. The former is, of course, much harder work."
Really, have you ever tried to engage a class of grass-roots teenagers, Mrs Ip? Moreover, seen the fruits of successful engagement and how that "breaking of the ice" leads not only to more interest but also efficacy in other written aspects such as grammar?
Like so many of Hong Kong's out-of-touch community, Mrs Ip, and those censorious of the NET scheme, should pay more "less pomp" visits to schools to truly understand our students' needs.
Justin Hayward, Tai Po
 
Brazil not playing well enough
While I am thrilled that Brazil got through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup by defeating Chile on penalities, the fact is they barely scraped through to victory with a marginal one-goal lead in the penalty shoot-out. Brazil won this match by the skin of their teeth.
Having lived in Brazil for a number of years, I see the Brazilian team as my team and support it strongly. Nevertheless, the team lacked strategy and a game plan. Throughout the game, they were on the defensive.
Chile were very aggressive and frequently had the Brazilians in trouble.
The passing of the ball between the Brazilian players, their dribbling with the ball and defence were wanting. The star striker Neymar was frequently left stranded without adequate support while trying to score. A few times, he had no colleague to pass the ball to when he was under pressure from two or three Chilean defenders.
If Brazil continue with such lacklustre performances, they will not win the World Cup. If they want to lift the trophy, they will need to be re-energised.
Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai 
 
HK's radical lawmakers should leave
If the radical legislators resent the way the Hong Kong SAR is run, why don't they emigrate overseas to enjoy freedom in the so-called democratic countries?
Why do those politicians stay on a sinking ship, one they keep sabotaging in the Legco chamber every day?
Peter Wei, Kwun Tong
 
Campaign could hurt city's economy
There have been strong supporters and opponents of the Occupy Central campaign. Some opponents jumped into the harbour.
The Occupy Central campaign will disrupt social order. Beijing will continue to take a firm stand over universal suffrage. Radical protests here will lead to clashes between activists and the police and they will not be peaceful.
The public's chief concern is with livelihood.
Since the handover in 1997 people have continued to enjoy freedom of speech. In the last decade democracy has actually moved forward towards universal suffrage.
This is better than the situation before the handover.
The opinions of all individuals should be respected and they should have the right to do what they wish as long as they do not break any laws or harm society. Before deciding whether to join Occupy Central protests, people should think about the consequences of their actions.
The movement's actions could be counterproductive if they turn violent. I do not want to see a divided society.
If its campaign paralyses Central, this could ruin our economy and international financial status. In livelihood terms, people would suffer. The city loses out as foreign investors transfer their local investments overseas.
Regardless of what nomination process is adopted, Hongkongers want to elect a competent and caring person to be our chief executive.
That person will have to ensure there is good communication between the SAR government and the central government.
Our chief executive will need to have a good analytical mind when making important decisions.
Barry Kwok, Wong Tai Sin
 
Hotels should give away food to poor citizens
Hong Kong citizens who are well off enjoy going to top-class hotels to dine.
Most of these hotels have buffets which offer a great deal of choice of delicious food. You see huge amounts of food on offer at these buffets. Quite often at the end of the day, a lot of food from a buffet remains uneaten.
At night, most hotels will throw the food away so it is discarded in refuse bins and eventually will end up in one of Hong Kong's landfills. The amount of food that is thrown away every day is alarming.
I do not think it makes sense to throw away food that is still edible. It would be feasible for hotel management to donate the unused food that is still safe to eat to those groups which help the poor in the city. People on low incomes struggle to provide nutritious food for their families.
Obviously there is no commercial gain for the hotel. However, there are other advantages.
The hotel helps people in need and the amount of food waste dumped into landfills every day is reduced. It will enhance the reputation of the hotel, as it is seen to be helping disadvantaged members of society. This could lead to it attracting more customers.
While businesses exist to make profits, they should not think only about making money. It should not always be a top priority.
Entrepreneurs should be willing to get involved in charities.
Bonnie Wong Ka-ki, Yau Yat Chuen
 
Teens are now becoming too materialistic
I think today's teenagers often lack a knowledge of money and sensible spending.
When they get their red packets with money at Lunar New Year, they do not always take care when deciding how to spend it. They will often waste the money they have been given at 7-Eleven and Circle K convenience stores.
It saddens me that so many youngsters cannot resist the temptation to keep buying new things. They follow the latest new fashion trend and have a materialistic attitude to so much in life. They are unable to see the important distinction between buying something that you need and purchasing something that you want. They should learn to think carefully before making a purchase.
I wish they could appreciate how lucky they are compared to teenagers living in impoverished countries, who do not waste anything. Young people need to learn to think carefully before deciding to buy an item.
It is up to parents to teach their children to use money wisely when they give them their lai see packets. They need to guide their children towards sensible financial planning.
Kelly Lam, Tung Chung


Letters to the Editor, July 1, 2014

Neymar (front) did not get enough support. Photo: Xinhua

Native English teacher scheme needs overhaul to improve effectiveness

Opinion

I refer to the letter by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee ("NET scheme needs overhaul to improve its effectiveness", June 27).
