3. Learning English through Social Issues

In recent years, the number of small independent stationery shops in Hong Kong has fallen.

• Write a news report for the Hong Kong Post.
• Explain this trend and discuss whether independent stationery shops can survive.

The Fate of Independent Stationery Shops

In recent years, there is a growing trend that a number of independent stationery shops have closed down. Due to the continuing increase in rent, they can no longer sustain and survive. The high rental costs push them out of business.  

Cheung Pak, aged 70, is a stationery shopkeeper and has run the business for a long time at the street corner in Kwun Tong. His store is tiny and filled up with stacks of second-hand books despite stationery products. He is going to shut down his stationery shop at the end of this month. “I have run the business for half a century in this district. My small business relies heavily on the community. In the past, many students would come to our store to buy second-hand textbooks, stationery and toys. Nowadays, they go to bookstore chains instead. I can barely compete against the giant.” 

Trouble never comes singly. Despite the fierce competition from the chain store, rent is another major problem.  “Kwun Tong, being one of the oldest district, has been under significant change recently. As the neighbourhood is being turned into shopping malls and commercial complex, the rent has risen sharply. This year, the landlord has asked for HK$30,000 as opposed to HK$20,000 last year. I have bargained with the landlord several times in an attempt to achieve a win-win deal on the rent. However, we fail to come to a satisfactory deal. I can no longer afford such a high rent. Sad to say, only the international luxury brands can afford the asking rent. Many small businesses have already been squeezed out. As the lease is soon going to expire, I decide to close the business for good.”

Despite soaring rents, another major reason why Cheung Pak shut down his business is because of the redevelopment project conducted by the urban renewal authority. Kwun Tong is under the planning of revitalization, which means that the old buildings will be demolished and make way for modern and urban housing estate. “Many small businesses in the district have already been forced to close their doors because of the plan. I will also face the same destiny under the big change. The environment will no longer be the same. There is just no room for survival in the plan. Like Lee Tung Street in Wan Chai, no shops are allowed to survive.”

As the city is changing rapidly, many small businesses like Cheung Pak’s cannot survive the change. “It is hoped that the Government will put itself into our shoes and help preserve the cultural heritage when they are to modernize the old districts.”

2. Learning English through Popular Culture

Some of Hong Kong’s housing estates have become extremely popular places to take Instagram photos.

As part of a class assignment, you interviewed Instagrammers and residents at a housing estate which has been listed as one of the top 10 places in Hong Kong to take Instagram photos.

• Write an essay for your assignment.
• Explain what attracts Instagrammers to Hong Kong’s housing estates and how residents feel about this.

In Memorial of Housing Estate

In recent years, social media like Instagram has become popular among the youth. Photos are taken, uploaded on the app and shared among friends. In order to attract more likes, there is a growing trend among the youth to take idiosyncratic pictures of bizarre architecture as well as buildings reminiscent of old Hong Kong. These places provide a distinctive backdrop for the instagram photos. Social media has turned these places into famous instagrammable spots which attract many tourists to take iconic Instagram photos. 

One of the scenic spot is Choi Hung Estate, one of the well-known public housing estates in Hong Kong. The rainbow-colored apartments were neatly knit together which produce photos of a colorful background and a warm effect. The popular instagram location is the basketball court in front of the estate buildings where jump shots are performed and memorable moments are captured. “It brings back childhood memories of the neighbourhood where I grew up and spent my happy days.” One of the instagrammers said and alluded public housing estates to the collective memory of Hongkongers who are nostalgic about Hong Kong in the past. 

The other famous instagram spot is Yik Cheong Building in Quarry Bay, the so-called Monster Building. The densely-packed residential flats were closely stacked together, towering on three sides, leaving a courtyard in the middle. Instagrammers snap stunning pictures of the monstrous architecture which gives an overbearing feeling. They also take the famous “lookup” view framed by the building. Apart from the famous shots, visitors pose for portrait and take selfies in the courtyard. “The high-rise building is unique and special in Hong Kong. It looks like a hidden gem in terms of architecture which features urban density so characteristic of Hong Kong. It gives a sense of character to the Instagram photos.” One of the instagrammers said.  

The two famous instagrammable spots have attracted crowds to take Instagram photos. One of the residents of Yik Cheong Building welcome the influx of tourists and are delighted that a new local coffee shop is opened nearby due to the promotion of social media. However, another resident is less positive. “In order to get an ideal frame, the instagrammers would go so far as to obstruct the way of the residents and also stop the road traffic. They pose a danger to themselves when they are getting so close to being hit by cars.” A resident from Choi Hung Estate said that signs against shooting photos and disturbing residents are just ignored. “Instagrammers make so much noise and disturb peace of the surroundings. What’s more, young residents can’t play basketball in the court at weekends when so many people come to visit the place.”

Instagram has brought fame to some neglected places. It is praiseworthy that through Instagram photos, we are reminded of the culture and tradition that we may have forgotten. It is hoped that instagrammers would find out more noteworthy places to raise our awareness of the diverse culture in Hong Kong.

Learning English through Poems and Songs

You have been inspired to share your feelings about opportunities on your online blog. In your blog write about one opportunity that you missed and one opportunity that you took.

Take or Lose Your Chance

I have always wanted to be an actress. That was the reason why I joined the school drama club. In the same year, our school had joined the Hong Kong School Drama Festival and would perform the play “Romeo & Juliet”. I desperately wanted to play the role of Juliet. How wonderful it would be if I could have a chance to perform the famous Shakespearean play as well as play the main female character! But I knew that I had to get myself well-prepared for the audition so that I could beat the other candidates and win the role. Therefore, I went to Mrs. Lau, my English teacher, to learn the play, portray the role of Juliet and practice acting as Juliet. “Remember, you are passionately in love with the wrong person. The tension throughout the tragedy comes from here. A fatal love brought about by the force of fate.” Mrs. Lau would remind me.  We rehearsed every day after school. The preparation took a lot of hard work.

When the day of audition finally came, I was just as excited as the other students who were going to audition. I entered the classroom where three senior teachers sat behind a long table. I stood in front of them waiting for their instruction. “Can you play the part and recite the scene of Romeo & Juliet which impresses you the most?” One of the panel beamed at me. I thought for a while, took up the courage and told them I would like to play the balcony scene. One of the panel came out and acted as Romeo. “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.” I recited. At that time, I felt like losing myself and was fully immersed in being Juliet. After I finished, the panel nodded and told me to wait for the news. I was so delighted that I could complete the audition with so much ease and confidence, thanks to all the efforts that I had put into in the last month. Two weeks later, to my amazement, I received a letter notifying me that I had successfully got the role! I would play Juliet in the public performance! It was almost a dream come true. 

The drama festival finally arrived. The whole drama crew and I were so excited. While we were heading to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, my mobile phone suddenly rang. “Hi, Miss Chan, this is the Hong Kong Theatre. We have a main character role right now for the upcoming show. Can you come over to interview today? Our boss is only available today because he will fly abroad tomorrow.” I found myself suddenly caught in a dilemma. “This might be a precious opportunity to work with a real theatre company if I would be selected. However, I could not give up the performance for the interview. The whole crew is waiting for me!” I said to myself. “Sir, thank you for asking me but I don’t think I can come over today because I have an important appointment.  I am so sorry about that.” I ended the conversation reluctantly. “The festival must go on.” Then I joined the crew and went on stage.

In your life, when opportunity comes your way, you either seize it or miss it. Just like what I did. I seized the opportunity to play Juliet in the school drama festival but I missed the chance to become a real actress in the real world. It changed your life for the better or for the worse. Who knows? For one thing, at least, I know that I have tried my very best.

Learning English through Popular Culture 

Recently the Hong Kong Government published a list of intangible cultural heritage items that the city should protect. The following were on the list: Traditional egg tarts and mahjong 

Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily supporting the Government’s choice of these two features of Hong Kong culture, suggesting why they are worth protecting and how they can be protected. 

–

Dear Editor,

Egg Tarts and Mahjong: Our Old Hong Kong

Traditional egg tarts and mahjong bring back memories of the old days. The scene of my mother playing mahjong while we children eating egg tarts decades ago comes back to my mind again. They are the important part of the old Hong Kong. Recently, the Government has included these two local cultural features as intangible cultural heritage. It is a welcome move. As Hong Kong has developed into an international city where East meets West, we are under the constant influence of Eastern and Western culture, ranging from Japanese food, Korean pop culture to American TV dramas and Hollywood movies. As foreign culture prevails in Hong Kong, Hong Kong local culture is losing appeal and fading away from our daily life. To prevent our local culture from dying, the Government should protect our cultural heritage in order to pass on the history and memory to the next generation.

Traditional egg tarts were signature food of the last century. They were famous for its crust and sweet flavour, and were sold and served by local bakeries and cafes. Almost every Hongkonger has eaten egg tarts. Do you remember those days when you were waiting for the hot, freshly made egg tarts at one of the nearby bakeries in the neighborhood as a treat after school? When we were poor and young in those days, we always scrambled to the bakery and lined up for the egg tarts which were ready to be sold at a quarter past three after the school bell rang. We were satisfied because egg tarts were not only yummy but also cheap. Egg tarts actually grew up with us. They are our collective memory of the old Hong Kong. Therefore, egg tarts are worth protecting. 

Mahjong was a famous game among Hong Kong people of the last century. The sound of playing mahjong was often heard along the corridor of the housing estate. Some TV game shows were even based on mahjong and attracted millions of audience. Mahjong was also a game among family, friends and relatives during the Chinese New Year because it is a symbol of solidarity. However, mahjong is disappearing from our daily life because there are so many entertainment options available. Similar to egg tarts, mahjong is our collective memory of the old Hong Kong. Therefore, mahjong is worth protecting.

To help protect and preserve our cultural heritage, the Government can promote egg tarts by making a short film advertisement about egg tarts and the old Hong Kong and inviting famous people to star in the film. Also, the Government can offer subsidises to food trucks at the tourist spots which sell egg tarts. It can help promote egg tarts as our local cultural heritage to our visitors. As for mahjong, the Government can organize a “Mahjong Contest” in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where Hong Kong people can participate and play mahjong as contestants to win the championship. It aims to promote mahjong culture in our community. 

I hope that, by doing so, our cultural heritage can be preserved in our community and passed on to the next generation as part of the history of Hong Kong. 

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

Learning English through Social Issues

You are working on a project called “Hong Kong’s NEETS”. NEETS are young people who are not in education, employment or training. Many of these young people spend their time at home playing video games or surfing the internet.

Write a report to explain why the number of NEETS in Hong Kong is rising and suggest what can be done to help these youths. Give reasons to support your suggestions.

Hong Kong’s NEETs

In an affluent society like Hong Kong, there exist a certain number of hidden youths who neither work nor study but stay at home playing video games or surfing the internet. They are called NEETs. A recent survey shows that the number of NEETs is on the increase. The figure is quite alarming. In this report, I will explore the reasons behind the phenomenon and suggest some solutions to the problem.

At one extreme, many NEETs come from well-off family where they are spoiled and pampered by helicopter parents who help their children deal with every aspect of daily life such as spoon-feeding and shoelace-tying, and do not allow their children to experience setbacks in daily life such as conflicts among schoolmates and shortage of resources. They live in an overprotected and well-provided environment where problems and difficulties are eliminated, not to mention the fact that they do not have to worry about or struggle for survival. As a result, they fail to develop self-care ability and problem-solving skill and become overly dependent on their parents. As they grow up, they are unable to face pressure from school and hardship from work. Therefore, they become socially withdrawn and would rather stay at home and live in the virtual world where they can stay within their comfort zone, forget life demands and escape from the harsh reality of the real world. 

At the other extreme, many NEETs come from poor family where children are neglected by their parents who have difficulty in making a living and can barely make ends meet. The children do not have enough resources for their growth. For example, when they encounter difficulties in their studies, they cannot afford to hire a tutor to help them and thus are unable to catch up with school demands. Gradually, they become failure under the education system and lose hope in the future prospect. Even though they might be willing to work, the salary is too low to entice them to stay on the job. Thinking that it is not worth the effort, they would rather stay at home and live off their parents. 

To address the issue, the government should provide schools with more financial assistance to employ more social workers and counselors who can help NEETs come out of the shell by listening to their problems and walking with them, by introducing them to support groups where they can find peers with similar problems and support each other or by introducing them to interest groups where they can socialize with peers having similar interests so that they will not feel alone.  

The government can cooperate with the commercial sector by providing subsidies to create more job opportunities such as part-time jobs as a stepping stone for NEETs to get a sense of the demand and requirement of a job and get a taste of whether they can work under stress. Starting with a small step by taking a part-time job, they may feel easier to get on with work and engage with the society. When they build up on-the-job experience, they may feel motivated to do a full-time job. 

The government can also provide subsidies or establish funds to support NEETs who would like to further their studies but lack the necessary resources. When better equipped through continuing education, they are more likely to find a better job and have more incentive to work.

With the above measures, I hope that NEETs feel encouraged and empowered to re-enter the society and live a meaningful life.