IdeeAddressing Educational Inequality -- Language Acquisition Among Visually Impaired Children

My pitch focuses on mutual educational support – specifically, teaching basic level English to visually impaired children who would otherwise have no access to second language acquisition. This idea is inspired by two of the UN SDGs: reducing inequalities and quality education. Visual impairment ranges from poor vision to blindness. With English being yet the most commonly used language, having a basic level of English communication skills is now a necessity for succeeding especially in job-hunting and the job market. We might take the opportunity to learn English for granted; however, children with visual disabilities often do not have the chance to access such educational resources. Meanwhile, English is not just a language or a communication device, but also a form of inspiration. One does not need to master a language in order for one to embrace the many cultures this language brings forward. In China, the government has been putting efforts to enhance the literacy rates of children with disabilities, but their chance for accessing a second-language opportunity is extremely rare compared to that of children with no physical deficits (which is nearly 100% because English is a crucial subject in the National Testing Curriculum). This inequality and lack of social awareness regarding this issue greatly narrow down the future employment market for disabled individuals. My pitch proposes a mutual teaching-learning process, in which high school (or middle school) students are each paired with a younger disabled student (usually in pre-k or primary school); they will have English tutoring sessions every week for 1 hour; they will also build strong relationships, bond, and connection, they will support and accompany each other. There are currently lots of welfare organizations that have information on visually impaired children, therefore it is easy to find prospective students.

I have teaching experience for 5 years of peer-tutoring English and teaching English to younger kids. In addition, my interest and future field of study is in educational psychology, or developmental psychology, and I have certain amount of knowledge regarding effective teaching and learning.