Dear Parents,

As our city prepares to welcome 2026 and the Year of the Horse—a symbol of energy, perseverance and forward motion—our thoughts turn to the tradition of best wishes or resolutions for the new year. This is a perfect time for our children to harness that spirited "horse" energy for their own growth.

As a teen, my New Year resolutions were often as ambitious as they were short-lived. On the first day of the year, I would vow, "This year, I will be the topnotcher in English," or "I will be the best writer of my grade." Yet, by the time we visited grandpa’s grave at Ching Ming Festival in April, my resolve had often galloped off without me, lost in the rhythm of school, social activities and family commitments. My goals were fixed only on a distant finish line—the exam result, the teacher's praise—and not on the steady trot of daily practice. When the finish line seemed too far, I would simply stop running.

Lest your child should repeat my mistake, I write to share with you my reflections and tips. In our fast-paced society, where academic achievement is paramount, we have a precious opportunity to guide our children towards a more resilient and joyful approach to learning English in the coming year.

The key is to help them transform broad wishes into specific, trotting-paced actions. Instead of the overwhelming "I must improve my English," we can guide them to set a goal such as, "I will listen to one English podcast on my MTR commute every Tuesday and Thursday," or "I will write three sentences in a journal about my weekend, using two new words I have learned." Let's make their goals fit into the unique cadence of a Hong Kong student's life.

Most importantly, let us honour the process—the steady ride—over just the end result. A resolution to "get an A in the exam" places all the weight on a single, high-pressure day. A resolution to "complete one extra English activity from my textbook each week" builds consistent skill and confidence. The former defines success by a single stamp; the latter by the ongoing journey of learning. Let's cheer for the chapter finished, the question asked in class, or the attempt to speak English with a friend, as much as for the score on the top of the page.

The spirit of the Horse also reminds us that a journey sometimes requires a change of course. Regular, gentle check-ins are vital. Perhaps the goal of "reading a book a month" was too ambitious during the busy school term. We should show our children that it is a sign of strength, not surrender, to adjust the reins: "Let's change our goal to reading two short stories this month instead." This flexible and reflective practice is a life skill that will carry them far beyond their English studies.

At E-Smart, our teachers will embody this "Horse" spirit of steady progress in the classroom. We will encourage students to set personal learning milestones that celebrate consistent effort and the discovery of language as a tool for connection.

Thank you for your continued partnership. By guiding our children to set thoughtful, process-oriented goals, we are not just building their English skills for the coming year; we are saddling them up with the resilience and perspective for all the gallops ahead.

Wishing your family great health, happiness, and success in the new year!