Have you moved abroad (or plan to do so) and are anxious that your child’s English writing may fall behind his or her peers in an English-speaking country?
Or, do you intend to stay in Hong Kong, but still hope your child can write English in a native way?
I am the person who can address these concerns.
As an Oxford-educated bilingual writer who has worked for the Wall Street Journal, Apple Daily, and Mingpao, I have over 10 years’ of experience in writing, editing and translating.
As a Hong Kong Chinese who studied in Hong Kong’s local schools from kindergarten to university (bachelor level), I have a profound understanding of the particular challenges Chinese people face when writing English.
One such challenge. “My writing is boring (see the sample below). I can make sure my grammar is correct, but I don’t know what else to do”:
I am writing to bring to the public’s attention the large number of cases concerning animal cruelty in recent months. Sadly, some people go as far as hurting their pets or even killing them. Despite the laws regarding animal welfare, cases of animal abuse are still on the rise.
If the student who wrote the above text were to consult me, I would advise her to express herself as follows:
You know something is seriously wrong with Hong Kong’s animal protection laws when abusers are subject to a maximum of three years’ imprisonment and a 200K fine, while smugglers who try to pass through the customs with an endangered plant are looking at a10-year imprisonment and 10 million in penalty.
This, in a snapshot, is how I teach: by rewriting copies and instilling in students a sense of how to write with style.
I provide writing lessons on Zoom. If you’re interested in seeing how I can work my magic on your child, contact me A one-hour trial lesson costs HK$500.