Liang and students in the dance class. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"Ding! Ding! Dong! Dong..." Such vivid and intriguing sounds emerged from a classroom at Anyang Special Education School, where hearing-impaired students were taking part in a porcelain carving club activity.
The club was established in 2014 to help youngsters with hearing impairments develop their patience and hobbies. The kids competed nationally in 2019 and won prizes for their efforts.
"The sounds of a dozen children carving porcelain simultaneously also help to improve their hearing," said Liang Yan, vice president and special education teacher of Anyang Special Education School in Henan Province.
Heartfelt dedication
Liang's story began in 1999, when she graduated from Henan Special Education Normal School (now the School of Special Education at Zhengzhou Normal University). From the very beginning of her career, compassion has become both her professional creed and a deeply ingrained part of her daily life.
She treats each child as if they were her own, always putting their needs first. One of the most heart-wrenching moments of her career occurred when a student named Xiaoyu fell ill and was unable to communicate her distress. Amid vomiting and diarrhea, Xiaoyu clung to Liang, signing "Mom," a gesture that brought Liang to tears. This deep bond of love, forged through years of trust and care, forms the foundation of Liang's teaching philosophy.
Though Liang Yan's class has only 10 students, teaching is far from easy. Using a wounded foot, she steps firmly to help students feel even the faintest rhythms. Without existing materials, she created her own dance curriculum and sign language prompts for the children to learn. In the blind percussion class, she meticulously corrects every movement, leaving her both physically and mentally exhausted. For Liang, she is not only the curriculum developer but also the primary instructor, driving the implementation of a new and innovative educational approach.
Tailored teaching
In 2013, the school established the deaf dance class and blind percussion class, which later evolved into the "Qi Cai Xing Art Troupe." As the head teacher and team leader, Liang Yan is deeply committed to recognizing each child's unique strengths and tailoring her teaching methods to suit their individual abilities.
While some children may not have an innate sense of rhythm, they excel in other areas, such as organizing costumes and managing details, taking on roles akin to little "managers." Through these opportunities, these children discovered their own talents, gained confidence, and with continued practice, many eventually became lead performers.
As one parent remarked, "We initially encouraged our child to learn dance to nurture her talents, but we never anticipated that they would gain so much more—from developing their abilities to growing in so many aspects of life."
"Our school now has adopted a 'one student, one plan' approach," Liang explained, "Every Friday afternoon, teachers hold one-on-one discussions to discover the children's interests and monitor their emotional development, providing personalized support and encouragement to foster their growth."
In addition to the Qi Cai Xing Art Troupe and the porcelain carving workshop, the school also offers quality education courses such as fabric arts workshops, classics recitation, and traditional Chinese clapper talk performances.
Strong backing
Xiaojiang, a former visually impaired pupil of Liang, aspired to become an IT talent. The school responded by offering him computer classes, which he committed to learning. Xiaojiang achieved academic success by working hard and consistently. He got accepted to Beijing Union University after passing the gaokao in 2021.
While at Anyang Special Education School, Xiaojiang was also a member of the blind percussion class and showed remarkable talent and dedication. After entering university, he was selected to perform at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games opening ceremony, a testament to the school's commitment to personalized education and unwavering support for its students.
Since 2013, Liang has guided the children in over 200 performances, spreading "confidence and miracles" nationwide, and nurturing their self-esteem and self-confidence. She was also invited to become a torchbearer for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
In the future, Liang envisions continuing to strengthen both arts education and physical education. We have already introduced ice hockey for visually impaired students and floor curling for hearing-impaired children, fostering their participation in sports and encouraging a more inclusive and active lifestyle.
