Special Class
Witnessing a lesson for hearing-impaired students in class 4B+5, taught by Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, that heartwarming story becomes even clearer. On the podium, Mr. Quang's hands continuously formed sign language; occasionally, he softly pronounced a few words for the students to see his mouth movements. On the blackboard, a television displayed exercises, visual aids accompanied by simple text—all combined to help students access knowledge through multiple channels. "I have to use many different methods of communication to make it easier for them to understand. They're in grades 4 and 5 now, so they can read, write, and do assignments quite well," Mr. Quang shared.
Teaching deaf students has never been an easy task. Each student is a unique story, with a different starting point and a challenging journey. "When they first start school, they don't know how to read or write, they don't know sign language, so communicating anything is difficult. Even asking them to hold a pen or open a book takes time. Each student needs at least a year just to be able to communicate at a basic level before they can begin learning academics," Mr. Quang recounted.
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| Teacher Nguyen Van Quang guides students in making items for extracurricular activities. |
In Mr. Quang's class, many students have special circumstances. For example, Vuong Viet Tri, whose family lives far away in Khanh Son, has been studying at the center since 2015. Because his family lives far away, his meals and accommodation are entrusted to the center's cook, and he only goes home once every one or two months. But despite everything, Tri has grown stronger every day. Now, he can live independently and take the bus home on his own. His hands moved nimbly as he shared his simple dream of opening a small beverage shop at home after he grows up. "I've learned how to make cocoa, orange juice, and carrot juice – skills I learned from the center's vocational class," Tri proudly said. Mr. Vuong Minh Tru, Tri's father, said emotionally, "Before, it was very difficult for our family to communicate with our son. He was often irritable and emotionally unstable. After many years of studying at the center, he has completely changed. He can write, use sign language, understand things, and is much more independent. I am very grateful to the teachers!"
Like Tri, Tran Nguyen Tuan Hung's life changed thanks to this place. Hung's mother is a factory worker, raising her son alone. Thanks to learning sign language and writing, the two of them can now talk to each other every night before bed, something the mother had almost never dared to dream of before.
The silent ones who light the fire.
Besides imparting knowledge, teachers at the center must also closely monitor the psychological and emotional development of students, especially as they enter adolescence. At this age, while it's difficult to approach normal children, it's even more challenging for hearing-impaired children. Mr. Quang shared that social media easily draws many students into unhealthy groups or leads them into conversations with strangers with malicious intentions. Teachers are often worried when some students experience their first romantic feelings or make friends indiscriminately. Teachers at the center must monitor the situation promptly and inform parents for cooperation, using tactful methods, as the students are very sensitive and easily hurt.
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| Ms. Tran Thi My Ai guides hearing-impaired students in doing their homework. |
Ms. Tran Thi My Ai, a teacher in the 3+4B class for the hearing impaired, has dedicated 16 years to teaching hearing-impaired children. For her, teaching hearing-impaired children requires loving them like your own children or grandchildren. “Some children are entering adolescence and are very sensitive; you have to understand each child’s feelings to support and teach them with love. If you don’t love children, you certainly can’t pursue this profession,” Ms. Ai shared. One student who Ms. Ai remembers fondly is Nguyen Trong Phu (14 years old, Cam Ranh ward). His mother left when he was young, and Phu lived with his father and grandmother. When he first came to the center, Phu was withdrawn. With the love of his teachers, learning bartending, and making friends, Phu gradually opened up. He dreams of owning a small coffee shop or working as a hairdresser. These seemingly small dreams are a crucial light for the future of a child who once lived with feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.
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| Ms. Tran Thi My Ai guides hearing-impaired students in doing their homework. |
Teaching deaf children requires boundless patience, constantly using visual aids, combining lip reading, sign language, and body language. Every lesson, every lecture, every conversation is a challenge. "There were times when teaching just a simple sentence took the whole class an entire session. But when I saw the children understand, their eyes light up, and they could do the sign language correctly, all the hardships vanished," said Ms. Ai, her gentle smile reflecting her dedication.
A place to nurture the future.
Besides teaching academics, the center also invests in vocational education and life skills, which are extremely important for hearing-impaired children. Ms. Phan Thi Ngoc Sinh, Deputy Director in charge of the Rehabilitation and Education Center for Children with Disabilities in the province, said: “The curriculum lasts 6 years, but we have extended it to 10 years so that the children have enough time to learn skills and vocational training before entering adulthood. What we hope for most is that when they graduate, they will have a profession to become independent and integrate into the community.”
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| Students use sign language during class. |
With these concerns in mind, over the past four years, through the connections of several organizations, associations, and benefactors, the Provincial Center for Rehabilitation and Education of Children with Disabilities has partnered with several hotels to organize vocational training in housekeeping, knitting, bartending, setting up European and Asian restaurants, and proper manners for serving customers. Through practical classes directly taught by hotel staff, three hearing-impaired students from the center have been officially hired at the InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel, and their knitted products have been purchased by the hotel as gifts. Notably, the center has opened the Thuong Cafe within its premises, where students learn to make and serve drinks. Every Friday morning, the cafe opens to welcome customers. That is the day the students get to personally make coffee and serve drinks; it is also the day when joy shines brightest on their faces as they receive praise. These small skills are the stepping stones that help them become more confident on their journey to social integration.
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| Thuong Cafe - where the children learn how to make coffee. |
"The current difficulty in guiding and training these children in vocational skills stems from the fact that some parents are in difficult circumstances and have to focus on earning a living for their entire family, so their ability to support their children throughout the vocational training process depends heavily on the teachers at the center. Furthermore, these children are hearing-impaired and have limited communication skills, so they need one or two teachers to accompany them to vocational training centers for translation. However, the center lacks sufficient teachers, leading to many disadvantages for these children," Ms. Sinh shared.
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| Teacher Nguyen Van Quang's special class. |
More than just a classroom, this place is a home where deaf children can grow up surrounded by the love and perseverance of their teachers and the hope of their families. Above all, it is a testament to the simple yet profoundly humane truth: "Everyone has the right to be heard, even if they cannot express it through sound."
THAO LY - VINH THANH
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/phong-su/202512/noi-thap-lenniem-tin-41960f2/
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