Current location:World Watchers news portal > style
Youthful Spirits Revitalize Life of Aged Students
World Watchers news portal2024-05-22 03:41:23【style】8People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Youthful Spirits Revitalize Life of Aged Students
January 9, 2024Li Sijun, a teacher at Chizhou College for the Aged, instructs the students to practise Chinese dance in Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Zhao Jinzheng] |
HEFEI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) — As melodic tunes permeate the classroom, a group of students gracefully manipulate their folding fans, moving to the rhythm and cadence of teacher Li Sijun's instructions.
"Picture yourselves as small fish, delicately swaying your tails in the river when turning around," said 28-year-old Li, who can always bring fresh and innovative teaching methods to her students, with an average age above 60.
Li is among the 12 teachers below the age of 35 at Chizhou College for the Aged, located in Chizhou City in east China's Anhui Province. They constitute nearly a third of the faculty and are becoming a vital force in elderly education.
Li has taught over 600 elderly students since joining the college in 2021. Initially concerned about potential challenges due to the age gap, she soon discovered that their passion for learning and kindness broke all barriers.
"They come from various walks of life, possessing a wealth of experiences and broad knowledge," Li said. "We became friends, exchanging knowledge and life experiences."
To ensure elderly people live happy, healthy and socially active lives, China has developed around 76,000 elderly education institutions with more than 20 million silver-haired students. In Chizhou, a city with a population of over 1.3 million, the number of educational facilities for seniors such as schools and smaller teaching points has soared from 16 in 2020 to 631 today.
School fees for elderly education institutions are affordable, and study time is kept flexible to encourage more elderly people who were unable to study when young to fulfill their college education dreams.
With the help of young teachers, elderly students gain more novel experiences. For Bao Lanying, a 72-year-old retired businesswoman, a smartphone class taught by Ji Feifei has transformed her life.
"I can make payments, hail a taxi, and record videos on my phone now. Life is more convenient," she said while showing a short video she edited to Xinhua reporters.
"Tasks like online shopping and ride-hailing may be routine for us, but they pose challenges for the elderly. Teaching them brings a sense of accomplishment," said Ji, a 28-year-old teacher at Chizhou College for the Aged.
Bao Xiangsheng, 91, is the oldest student in the college. He attends vocal music class every Friday morning at 8:30. He opened his canvas bag, taking out sheet music filled with notes, surprisingly featuring many popular contemporary songs.
"Music has greatly improved my mood and sleep, and I've made many friends here. Coming here for lessons truly brings me joy," Bao said, adding that the campus has seen an influx of vibrant young faces in recent years.
"They helped me stay connected to the world of younger generations and keep pace with the trends of the times," he said.
Given longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates, the proportion of people aged above 60 is growing faster than other age groups in many countries.
China is among those with an aging population. The number of people over 60 reached 280 million, or 19.8 percent of the country's total population, at the end of 2022.
Chizhou College for the Aged, home to over 3,300 registered students, offers a diverse curriculum ranging from traditional arts like musical instruments, calligraphy and dance to modern essentials like financial planning, mental health and technology proficiency. Course fees range from 60 to 150 yuan (from 8.4 to 20.9 U.S. dollars) per semester.
"Courses like traditional Chinese medicine, tea art, and maternal-infant care have been added based on the demands of the students," said Yang Yihe, executive vice president of Chizhou College for the Aged.
"As more young people show interest in elderly education, it will bring about greater possibilities for the development of this sector," Yang added.
(Source: Xinhua)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Address of this article:http://pitcairnislands.downmusic.org/content-62a299875.html
Very good!(93)
Related articles
- Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
- Spain's Prado Museum confirms rediscovery of lost Caravaggio. Painting will be unveiled May 27
- After Barstool Sports sponsorship fizzles, Snoop Dogg brand is attached to Arizona Bowl, fo shizzle
- Robinhood Markets receives SEC notice for alleged securities violations at crypto unit
- Celebrity tequila brands, like George Clooney
- The night that bra
- Teacher Appreciation Week: Top school's staff go 'beyond the textbook'
- Hospital operator Steward Health Care files for bankruptcy protection
- Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri
- Merlier wins Giro Stage 3 after Pogacar fires up finale and stays in the lead
Popular articles
Recommended
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Merlier wins Giro Stage 3 after Pogacar fires up finale and stays in the lead
Call it Cognac diplomacy. France offered China’s Xi a special drink, in a wink at their trade spat
It's 20 years since the last ever episode of Friends. But from body
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Liam Gallagher rents swanky £17,000
Auditors can't locate former St. Louis circuit attorney to complete state audit
Double European weightlifting champion Pielieshenko killed in Ukraine war
Links
- Indonesian police arrest 8 suspected militants, part of a banned extremist group with al
- As a super
- Geri and Christian Horner 'in talks to film fly
- North Carolina officer fatally shoots man suspected of killing other man
- Third temporary channel opens for vessels to Baltimore port after bridge collapse
- Councilwoman chosen as new Fort Wayne mayor, its 1st Black leader, in caucus to replace late mayor
- The US military will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger
- Marlins lefty A.J. Puk lands on injured list with shoulder fatigue
- What's in the $95 billion foreign
- London police apologize after threatening to arrest 'openly Jewish' man near pro