SIR — I am a fresh Junior One student in one of the city's top middle schools. In the new term, I was very happy to be back at school to meet new classmates and teachers.

　　I also made a great plan for my future. But after two weeks of lessons, I felt bored and guilty when I see teachers working hard in front of the class. The reason is I have been through this scene for years. The teacher exerts all his or her strength to liven up the lesson, while on the seats are silent statues whose minds are somewhere else.

　　I try my best to pay attention to what the teachers say, but it is difficult. And it's the same for my classmates. I have been taught by this lecture method of instruction since primary school.

　　I feel grateful to our kind teachers who spare no effort to give us a wealth of information, but I am still not used to this way of teaching.

　　What's more, I realize I can't learn much from it.

　　This teaching method should be changed. Under this type of teaching, the students are merely tape recorders recording the words of the teachers and memorizing the facts and formulations after class.

　　We should have more time to learn and think on our own. I do think there is something wrong with our teaching and learning module.

　　In our class, teachers and textbooks, which are backed up by repetitive exercises and homework, are our only sources of knowledge. Other teaching sources such as the library, computer rooms and laboratories are not fully used.

　　I think an open, research-type learning, which is based on students' interest to cultivate their creativity and innovation, should be used to replace the teachers' lecture methods.

　　I think more optional courses should be introduced in teaching activities.

　　Students should be able to choose courses based on their own interests. 

　　Teachers should develop students' learning skills by encouraging them to make their own research reports through social investigations, interviews and the Internet.

　　Chen Ke, Shenzhen