K S LO ENGLISH

Recently, I have heard a couple of classmates worrying about their studies due to online lessons. Students’ performance in their studies has worsened, especially when they return to in-person classes. However, there are always more solutions than problems. Today, I’m here to guide some of you on how to cope with this challenging period.

Beyond doubt, distraction is the biggest obstacle during this time. During online lessons, you may pay more attention to your mobile phone than to what the teacher is saying. As a student, I totally understand this, especially when no one is there to monitor your behavior during lessons at home. To deal with this, I suggest using apps such as YPT to help you focus on your classes. Once you’re in a lesson, the app can track your study time and block access to other apps, including games, social media, and WhatsApp. This way, you can be as engaged in your classes as you would be at school.

Some of you may have siblings at home, and the noise can be a constant distraction during and after lessons. Why not go to a self-study room? It provides a quiet environment where you can study effectively. If you think going to a self-study room is boring, you can go with friends, so you can discuss difficult questions or topics you don’t understand. Studying with peers can also push you to work harder, as you may feel some healthy pressure from your friends. You can encourage each other to improve together.

Some of my friends have told me that they don’t fully understand what teachers say during online lessons due to poor internet connections or lagging devices. I understand your issues, and it’s true that in-person lessons are often more effective than online ones because technical problems frequently occur. In my opinion, teachers could record lesson videos for students to review later. This would allow students to go over the material and check if they missed any points during the lesson. Additionally, teachers could assign more homework, which would help students actively recall the material—a method that is considered one of the most effective ways to study, according to students who have achieved excellent results in the HKDSE. By doing homework, students can identify what they missed during the lesson and refer to the recorded videos to find the answers. This would also lighten teachers’ workloads, as fewer students would ask questions that were already answered in class.

Some of you may think that parents are not crucial to your studies, but this is a misconception. If your parents are well-educated, they can tutor you after lessons, especially in science subjects. Without needing to ask your teachers, you can clarify the points you missed or misunderstood. Additionally, your parents can provide advice on how to study effectively and manage your time properly. As the people who know you best, they understand your goals and can offer the most suitable guidance. Even if your parents aren’t well-educated, they can still act as counselors, which is vital for your academic journey. You can ask them for different ways to relieve stress. Whether your parents are well-educated or not, I believe they know how to help you and can work through challenges with you.

In addition to studying, parents can take students out for activities like hiking, shopping, or participating in leisure activities such as skating or visiting amusement parks. These activities help you unwind and can lead to better academic performance.

Online lessons require much more effort and determination to achieve your goals. If you truly care about your academic performance and your future, try out my suggestions and see if they help! This online period is going to be difficult, and the path ahead may seem steep. But I believe all of you can overcome the hurdles in front of you and reach your goals.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my opposition to the quotation attributed to Jennifer Lawrence published in your magazine.

First of all, actors or actresses can actually “save” someone’s life indirectly. Take Tom Hanks, an Academy Award-winning actor, who was inspired by the performances of Spencer Tracy. Hanks admired Tracy’s ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters, which motivated him to pursue a career in acting. Before discovering Spencer Tracy, Tom’s dream was to become a basketball player. Thanks to acting, Hanks is now renowned for his talent, versatility, and philanthropy. In my view, had he not embraced his acting talent, he would not have achieved the same level of success today if he had persisted in becoming a basketball player. Therefore, in a sense, Spencer Tracy “saved” Tom’s life by inspiring a pivotal change in direction.

Secondly, watching movies allows people to temporarily escape from reality. Consider the Korean romantic drama series “True Beauty”. It tells the story of an unattractive teenage girl who transforms into a beautiful young woman and falls in love with an extremely handsome boy after learning to apply makeup. Although the plot is unrealistic, it has captivated young girls who dream of such romances. From my perspective, these romantic films enable viewers to forget their worries and fears about relationships. To be honest, acting is not stupid but rather interesting for both actors and the audience.

Last but not least, a movie may profoundly influence society. Take “Barbie”, for example. This film is not just a childish animation but a meaningful commentary on gender equality. Public opinion was ignited following the release of “Barbie”. Some men expressed feeling offended by the film, believing patriarchal structures should be maintained. Conversely, women began to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self. As you can see, this movie was powerful; it awakened women to the reality of patriarchy and marked a significant step forward for women’s rights. Thus, acting is far from stupid; it has the potential to change the world.

To sum up, acting is not stupid in the slightest. Although it does not save lives directly, it changes and encourages lives. Therefore, acting is a significant and impactful art form, and actors play an essential role in society.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Wong

---

Editor’s Remarks:

This letter to the editor was written in response to in the February issue of Vanity Fair, an American monthly magazine of popular culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast in the United States.

Last year, I came across the most meaningful movie I have ever watched, Barbie. At first glance at the poster, I thought it was merely a fantasy comedy movie, but it turned out to teach me a significant lesson.

At the beginning, Barbies and Kens live in Barbieland, happily ever after. During a party, Barbie is suddenly stricken with worries about mortality. Overnight, she develops bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet, disrupting her usual routines the next day. To cure her affliction, she sets off to the real world to find the child who played with her. In the real world, Barbie tracks down her owner, Sasha, who criticizes Barbie for encouraging unrealistic beauty standards. Distraught, Barbie discovers that Gloria, a Mattel employee and Sasha’s mother, inadvertently caused her existential crisis after playing with Sasha’s old Barbie toys in a similar deteriorated state. As Mattel attempts to remanufacture Barbie, she returns to the real world with Sasha and her mother.

Meanwhile, Ken learns about patriarchy and feels respected for the first time. Before Barbie returns, he persuades the other Kens to take over, and the Barbies are indoctrinated into submissive roles, such as agreeable girlfriends, housewives, and maids. When Barbie arrives in Barbieland, she is shocked to see the changes. She feels depressed. Then, Gloria delivers a speech about society’s conflicting expectations of women, restoring Barbie’s self-confidence. Soon, Gloria extends her speech to all Barbies in Barbieland, and they regain their confidence. The Barbies apologize to the Kens and emphasize the need for better treatment of Kens and all outcasts. Finally, Barbieland returns to peace.

Just after watching the movie, I realized that everything has its benefits and drawbacks. Patriarchy seems perfect for men as it often grants them greater power. Nevertheless, it puts pressure on sentimental men, as crying is considered weak and girly in a patriarchal society. Women’s rights have been fought for centuries, but they have not yet led to complete success, and many men still live in a patriarchal society, believing women are only capable of cooking and taking care of children. Clearly, we still need to make efforts to change this patriarchal society. From my point of view, everyone is different but equal. We shouldn’t be judged or constrained by anyone. You can continue living in your patriarchal world, but you can’t stop me from continuing to fight for my rights.