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Octogenarian teaches us all a lesson
May 17, 2013, Friday
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EDUCATION knows no limits, it's said. And no one would agree more than 85-year-old Wang Yukou, who has decided to get the primary school education she was denied as a child growing up on a farm.
"It's never too old to learn," said Wang, a grandmother who lives in the Gongjieyuan neighborhood and grew up knowing how to read only her own name.
Her desire to become literate was triggered by an embarrassing experience last year, when she went to the local hospital and couldn't find her way because she was confused by the English letters for "A" and "B" zones in the facility.
With the help of a neighborhood tutor, she began to study, starting with English words first.
She has already mastered the English-language alphabet and can now even read most of the characters in "The Book of Family Names," a children's book published during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The book, the first she has ever read, was given to her as a New Year's gift by her youngest daughter. Sometimes Wang spend a whole day reading.
"Some characters are complicated to remember, so I have to read and repeat for more than a week," she said.
Liang Hong, a retired teacher in the neighborhood, volunteered to teach Wang and praises the dedication of her octogenarian student.
"Anything with letters and words - posters, food bags, biscuit tins - can become her reading material," Liang said.
"She sometimes cuts these things into small cards that she can carry around with her."
Wang bought a whole set of children's book with simple Chinese characters. He 10-year-old granddaughter often helps her with the reading.
"Everyone can learn at any age," said Wang. "Now I am doing something I've always dreamed of."
"It's never too old to learn," said Wang, a grandmother who lives in the Gongjieyuan neighborhood and grew up knowing how to read only her own name.
Her desire to become literate was triggered by an embarrassing experience last year, when she went to the local hospital and couldn't find her way because she was confused by the English letters for "A" and "B" zones in the facility.
With the help of a neighborhood tutor, she began to study, starting with English words first.
She has already mastered the English-language alphabet and can now even read most of the characters in "The Book of Family Names," a children's book published during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The book, the first she has ever read, was given to her as a New Year's gift by her youngest daughter. Sometimes Wang spend a whole day reading.
"Some characters are complicated to remember, so I have to read and repeat for more than a week," she said.
Liang Hong, a retired teacher in the neighborhood, volunteered to teach Wang and praises the dedication of her octogenarian student.
"Anything with letters and words - posters, food bags, biscuit tins - can become her reading material," Liang said.
"She sometimes cuts these things into small cards that she can carry around with her."
Wang bought a whole set of children's book with simple Chinese characters. He 10-year-old granddaughter often helps her with the reading.
"Everyone can learn at any age," said Wang. "Now I am doing something I've always dreamed of."
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