Learning English through Debating

The Hong Kong Daily Press invites readers to submit their views on the following topic:

Do social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter encourage or stifle public debate? When first created, social media was thought to be a place where rational debate and logic would thrive. However, as time has shown, this is not always the case.

• Write an argumentative essay
• Choose one side of the argument and state your position, giving reasons and evidence to support your view
• Include a title for your essay

Social Media: A Platform for Rationality & Logic?

Social media such as Facebook and Twitter allows us to convey our own thoughts and comment on others’ thoughts as well. It is thought that it can encourage rational discussion when different views are exchanged. However, in reality, when it comes to public affairs, social media falls short of promoting rational public debate. For example, in recent years, as the political climate in Hong Kong becomes very tense, the discussion on these social media platforms has become a battlefield among people having opposite political views. The dispute is so heated and harmful that people start to withdraw from expressing their political views openly on these social media sites. Public debate becomes silenced.

Public debate on these social media platforms are in fact less rational and logical than we would have thought. In order to grab viewers’ attention, social media users tend to post provoking or emotional remarks about current news or social issues. They intend to arouse others’ emotions and drive the conversations rather than raise rational discussion.  Moreover, the thoughts and comments are mostly impulsive rather than thoroughly examined. Rational public debate mostly does not happen.

The fact that like-minded people flock together and exclude dissidents stifles public debate. Social media tends to show the content from people whom we like or who are similar to us. Social media users are fed with what they like to see and hear and are less exposed to the other side. Moreover, when people talk about political and social issues on these sites, people tend to prefer listening to similar comments rather than opposite views. If someone voice out dissenting views, they are likely to become the target of attack and be abused verbally. Therefore, the dissidents will shy away from expressing opposite views to protect themselves from hostile insults or bullies. 

It turns out that people unfriend those whose views are opposite to theirs; as a result, there is only one side of opinions allowed, not to mention public debate. In the matter of public affairs which concerns the core values and interests of Hong Kong people, people of opposite views stand against each other. When one side notices that the opposite side expresses dissenting views, it will draw massive criticism from the other side.  People vent their anger and resentment on the person who represents the other side. It happens that some people feel so emotionally hurt that they unfriend their enemies. There is a great divide among people having opposite political views. Rational public debate becomes impossible.

To conclude, as far as social media is concerned, on the one hand, it can facilitate people to express and share their own views; on the other hand, it cannot be relied on for rational discussion. As such, the traditional form of media such as newspaper forum, radio forum and academic paper are still a more reliable platform for rational public debate to take place.

7. Learning English through Poems and Songs

You are a reporter for Do-Re-Mi, a music magazine. You interviewed Zoe Kwan, who has just won ‘Best New Artist’ at the HKTV Music Awards.

• Write a feature article based on your interview
• Report on Zoe’s sudden rise to fame and where the ideas behind her songs came from 

Zoe Kwan On The Rise To Top Singer

Zoe Kwan, the famous singer-songwriter now, has just won ‘Best New Artist’ at the 2020 HKTV Music Awards for her hit song ‘The Way We Dance’. Released in February, the song has reached the top of music charts of the four major radio stations and music streaming platforms for several weeks. What’s more, her first album ‘Dreaming’, which includes the song, has been released for only a month and immediately it has become the best-selling record the same year. Besides, Zoe is one of the most talked-about singer on social media and accumulates a multitude of fans on her Instagram. This is a real success for a new artist who has only worked in the music industry for just two years and has already earned widespread recognition of her musical talents.

‘Like many teenagers, I was constantly told by my parents to study hard and find a stable office job for a comfortable future. But when I turned 22 years old, after I had graduated from the university, I decided to enter the music industry and become a singer because I like music very much and I want to pursue my long-time dream of being an influential singer. I cannot think of myself being anything other than a singer.’ Zoe writes the song ‘The Way We Dance’ based on the movie of the same name in which Fa, the female protagonist, has a passion for dancing and joins the hip-hop dance crew when she enters the university. Fa practises hard in order to beat their dance rival in a dance competition. The movie also tops the 2020 box office which makes the song even more acclaimed. ‘I want to encourage young people to pursue their dream like Fa and me and to keep trying in the process despite frustrating obstacles. This is the message behind the song. Just like what the lyrics said, 

The song is lively and the melody is pleasant. Its lyrics captures the heart of our young generation and resonates deeply with them. Many young people are talented but they need courage and resilience to work out their talents and realize their dreams. That’s why the song is so popular among the teens. It acts as an encouragement to them.

Because of her talent and endeavour, Zoe Kwan has successfully become a famous singer. Maybe you are now in the dilemma between succumbing to the reality and taking courage to pursue your dream. Try for a moment to listen to ‘The Way We Dance’ and get some inspiration from it. You may find something you need there.

5. Learning English through Sport Communication

Some people think that the International Olympic Committee should include a greater variety of sports in the Olympic Games. However, for a sport to be considered a new Olympic event, it must meet the following criteria: 1) appeal to young people; 2) promote gender equality; 3) attract media coverage.

The IOC is inviting the public to suggest sports to be included in future Olympics. You would like to propose Dragon Boat Racing.

• Write a letter to the President of the IOC.
• Give reasons to support your opinion.

Dear President,

As the IOC is inviting the public to suggest sports for future Olympics, I would like to take this opportunity to propose dragon boat racing be included in the Olympic Games. For dragon boat racing to be considered a new Olympic event, it meets the three criteria for approval. It not only appeals to young people, but also promotes gender equality and attracts media coverage.

Dragon boat racing has its charming appeal to young people. Not only can they meet new people, make new friends and develop social skills but also learn how to collaborate with teammates to achieve a common goal. As dragon boat racing requires paddlers to act according to the command of the drummer and the drum beat.  They will then learn self-discipline and have a feeling of independence. Moreover, as dragon boat racing is both a physically and mentally tough sport which demands a lot of practice through trial and error, young people can learn how to overcome adversity and become more resilient when they are faced with failure.  Once they have successfully coped with stress and failure, they will have a sense of achievement and boost their self-confidence. Besides, dragon boat racing can be fun and an enjoyment too. 

In addition, dragon boat racing promotes gender equality because there is no gender stereotype and discrimination against male or female participants in this sport. As long as you have a strong body and mind, no matter you are male or female, you are qualified to take part in this sport. In the competition, there can be men’s team, women’s team or mixed team just like those in badminton and table tennis. Therefore, dragon boat racing achieves gender equality, empowers women and endorses basic human right for women.

Furthermore, dragon boat racing will definitely attract media coverage because of its intense atmosphere and fierce competition. Dragon boat racing originates from China. I am sure the world will be engrossed in seeing whether the Chinese sport can be skillfully mastered by the western countries as well. What an exciting and exhilarating game to watch the competition between China and the rest of the world! The competition will definitely attract global media attention and a lot of feature stories will be covered worldwide. Dragon boat racing will be such an impressive Olympic event to the world. 

Given the above reasons, I hope that the IOC would consider including dragon boat racing as one of the new Olympic event. 

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

4. Learning English through Workplace Communication

You work for the Park Hotel in Hong Kong. You would like to apply for a work transfer to the Shanghai branch of the hotel.