Chapter 58 Study Group

Sister Wang was determined to learn, but how exactly to learn became a new problem facing Shu Ran.

Her own time was indeed stretched thin. During the day, she had to teach, prepare lessons, grade homework, handle all sorts of school affairs, and deal with various temporary tasks suddenly assigned by the company. She wished she could split her evenings in half.

But looking at Sister Wang, she couldn't bring herself to say "I don't have time."

"Big sister, don't worry, we need to find a long-term solution." Shu Ran said to Sister Wang, who was sitting next to her and looked a little anxious, while correcting Shi Tou's short essay full of spelling mistakes.

Sister Wang held the form that was giving her a headache in her hand and sighed, "What long-term solution is there? Ran, I just want to figure this thing out as soon as possible, and then go and make sure I don't make a fool of myself again. I'll be satisfied!"

“It’s not enough for just you to learn.” Shu Ran put down her pen. “Think about it, doesn’t Xiulan have times when she struggles with bookkeeping? Doesn’t Guifen have to think for a long time when looking at the work points list? And there are many other women whose vocabulary isn’t enough. If you, as the women’s representative, are to take the lead on something in the future, it’s impossible for just you to understand it all, even if you run yourself ragged.”

Sister Wang paused for a moment, pondering what he meant: "You mean..."

"What I mean is, how about we gather all the sisters who feel they don't have enough words and want to learn more together?"

Shu Ran carefully considered her words, "It doesn't need to be too formal, let's just call it a 'Women's Mutual Aid Learning Group.' We'll find a fixed time when we're free, and I, or someone else who's more literate, will talk to everyone about words and phrases that are urgently needed in our work and daily lives. You can organize it, it'll be perfectly legitimate."

"A mutual learning group?" Sister Wang's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. "This...this won't work. We're all old women with families to support. We're exhausted after a long day. Who has the energy to learn this? Besides, if people find out, they'll laugh their heads off."

“I think my idea is very feasible,” Shu Ran said firmly. “We study culture not to become top scholars, nor to put on airs, but to make our lives clearer and our work smoother! Who laughs at us? Whoever laughs at us will help you fill out the forms and help Xiulan with the accounts.”

She paused, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of slyness, "Big sister, you're the women's representative now, so it's perfectly legitimate for you to organize this. Just say... it's to better cooperate with the company's work and improve the ideological awareness and working ability of our female comrades. Secretary Liu and Company Commander Ma will have no choice but to support you."

These words suddenly made Wang Guilan realize the truth. Yes, she wasn't just an ordinary family member anymore; she was a women's representative, and organizing everyone to study was part of her job.

"Yes! Ran-mei, you're right!" Sister Wang threw down the hemp rope in her hand, perking up. "I'll go ask right now! Let's see how many people want to learn!"

Shu Ran had long observed that there were many women like Sister Wang who were troubled by illiteracy or semi-literacy.

Li Xiulan works at the tofu shop and now also helps the company register the entry and exit of miscellaneous supplies. Her bookkeeping is still not very smooth; she has to ask others for help with slightly complicated items.

When Zhang Guifen went to the company headquarters to collect her work point ration coupons, she always had someone help her check them, afraid that she would receive too few or the wrong ones. She once told Shu Ran in private, "If I could recognize them myself, I would feel at ease."

Even Sun's wife, who usually seemed quite shrewish, once asked Shu Ran to help her look at a letter sent from home. The letter was crumpled, obviously having been passed around and read by several people.

A thought grew stronger in Shu Ran's mind. She seized an opportunity when Secretary Liu seemed to be in a good mood and walked into the company headquarters.

"Secretary, I have something to report to you." Shu Ran's tone was relaxed, as if she were chatting with someone. "Recently, Sister Wang is a women's representative, and she needs to learn to read and write for her work. As it turns out, Xiulan and the others found it interesting and also wanted to learn. I've discovered that many of our women in the company have the idea of ​​learning to read and write, but they're too embarrassed to ask, and no one is organizing it."

Secretary Liu was reading documents when he heard this. He looked up, somewhat surprised: "Oh? Everyone wants to learn? That's a good thing! It shows that our female comrades are highly motivated!"

"It's a good thing, but there are some problems too." Shu Ran changed the subject, revealing a troubled expression. "Right now, I'm teaching in a haphazard way, teaching this one or two today, that one or three tomorrow. It's not systematic, and the results are slow. Moreover, it's all happening during my class breaks, taking up school classrooms and time. In the long run, this isn't a solution."

Secretary Liu put down the document and pondered for a moment: "That is indeed a problem... So what do you mean?"

Shu Ran cautiously suggested, "Secretary, what do you think? Could the company organize something like this? It doesn't have to be too formal; just think of it as a 'Women's Literacy Learning Group.' We can find a fixed time, like two or three evenings a week, in this new classroom or a corner of the canteen, where I or someone else who can read will teach everyone the most commonly used characters and words. This way, it won't interfere with daytime production, and it can truly help the women solve some practical difficulties, making future work easier."

She didn't dare to say "run a night school" directly, but instead used the more understated term "study group".

Secretary Liu listened, tapping his fingers on the table. He recalled how, after Sister Wang successfully mediated the dispute last time, the comrades from the division who came to inspect the work praised their company for its improved work with the masses. If this literacy study group could really be established, wouldn't that be another highlight?

"Hmm... that's a good idea." Secretary Liu nodded. "Solving practical difficulties for female comrades is also part of the company's work. Here's what we'll do: I'll talk to Company Commander Ma and the other branch committee members. In principle, I agree that you can try to get it started first. As for the location... it'll be in your classroom, since it's empty at night anyway. You can decide the time yourself, but it can't be too late, so as not to affect production the next day. As for who will teach, we'll leave that to you for now."

Shu Ran felt a surge of joy in her heart, but she maintained a calm expression: "It's no trouble, Secretary. Let's try it out and see how it goes."

After leaving the company headquarters, Shu Ran couldn't wait to tell Sister Wang the good news.

Sister Wang's execution ability far exceeded Shu Ran's expectations. Instead of making a big fuss about it, she went directly to visit people's homes.

She went to the tofu shop first. Li Xiulan was looking at a small notebook with a troubled expression.

"Xiulan, are you busy? The accounts don't match up?" Sister Wang asked as she approached.

Li Xiulan looked up, her face full of distress: "Sister Wang, you've finally arrived. I just received the beans and salt, and Accountant Shi insists that I write down the names and quantities of the items clearly. I keep misspelling the word 'salt,' so I draw a circle instead, but he says that won't do..." She pointed to several crooked ink blots and circles on the notebook.

"Sigh! That accountant Shi, he's so meticulous!" Sister Wang sympathized first, then changed the subject, "But then again, if we can write things clearly ourselves, we won't have to put up with his attitude, right? I'm thinking of asking Teacher Shu to give us some extra lessons, specifically to learn these words and phrases that are urgently needed at work. Not just me, but all the sisters who want to learn can learn together, encouraging each other, and we'll learn faster. What do you think?"

Li Xiulan's eyes lit up instantly: "Oh, this is great! I was just worried about that. I'm not afraid of math, but I'm afraid of writing. Count me in!"

After leaving the tofu shop, Sister Wang strolled over to her private plot. Zhang Guifen was squinting at a piece of paper.

"Guifen, what are you looking at?"

"Oh, Sister Wang, my husband brought back a slip of paper, saying it's for collecting something. I recognize the words 'Collection Notice,' but I can't read the 'Product Name' and 'Specifications' written below. I've been trying to figure out what it is for, but I still can't." Zhang Guifen handed over the slip of paper, looking helpless.

Sister Wang took it and looked at it. She couldn't recognize all the characters either, but she was a little better than Zhang Guifen: "It looks like it's for receiving work safety supplies. Look, there's a character for 'hand' and another for 'set,' so it's probably gloves. After 'quantity,' it says 'two sets.'"

"Two deputy? Does that mean two deputy?" Zhang Guifen asked.

"Yes! That's exactly what I mean! You see, if we can't recognize them all, we'll be completely lost!" Sister Wang said, seizing the opportunity. "I told Teacher Shu that we're organizing a study group to learn the commonly used characters on these documents, as well as the names of people, places, and tools that are commonly used in our company. We can use them right away! Are you coming?"

Zhang Guifen didn't hesitate this time: "Yes! I'll definitely come! I don't want to be clueless anymore!"

Sister Wang then approached several other women with whom she had a good relationship, or who clearly had the same problem. Their reactions varied: some, like Li Xiulan, were in urgent need; some, like Zhang Guifen, were persuaded; and some waved their hands in refusal, thinking, "It's enough, why bother?"

There were even sarcastic remarks: "Representative Wang is just trying to make a splash as a new official, is he trying to lead us all to progress?"

Sister Wang felt resentful, but remembering what Shu Ran had said about work, she forced herself to endure it.

She counted, and including herself, there were seven or eight people who clearly wanted to learn. That was about right.

She gave the list to Shu Ran. Looking at the familiar names, Shu Ran felt reassured.

"Big sister, just the few of us aren't enough," Shu Ran said thoughtfully. "We need to let more people know that our study group can really solve practical problems. For the first activity, we need to learn something that everyone will find immediately useful."

The first learning activity was scheduled for a Wednesday evening in the new classroom.

The news spread, attracting curious onlookers, those just waiting to see what would happen, and those simply watching the spectacle.

That evening, the largest kerosene lamp in the new classroom was lit.

Sister Wang was already at the door, dressed neatly and full of energy, greeting everyone: "Come in and have a seat! Teacher Shu has prepared some nice things!"

Li Xiulan arrived first, bringing brand-new notebooks and pens. Zhang Guifen arrived with several familiar women, appearing somewhat reserved yet expectant. A dozen or so people gradually filled the classroom.

Shu Ran entered the classroom on time. She was holding several old newspapers covered with writing in her hand.

"Dear sisters-in-law, aunts, and sisters," she stopped, her voice clear and calm, "our mutual learning group will begin tonight. We won't learn anything far ahead, but rather what we need most right now."

A murmur of discussion immediately arose below; these words resonated deeply with them.

“Let’s do it one step at a time. First, let’s help Sister Wang sort out the roster, and we’ll also make sure we write down and identify the names of our neighbors on both sides.”

Shu Ran took out a list of the company's employees' families. "I'll read one out, and we'll write one on the blackboard and in our own notebooks, and then we'll check if it's correct."

She started with the most common surnames, writing not only the complicated ones but also the simple ones, showing everyone how to remember them. Each time she wrote a surname, someone below would match it to their own or their neighbor's name, whispering it aloud and imitating it in their notebook.

“Come on, Sister Wang, please write down ‘Wang Guilan’,” Shu Ran called out.

Sister Wang took a deep breath and walked onto the podium. She could write the characters "王" (Wang) and "兰" (Lan), but hesitated a bit when writing "桂" (Gui).

Shu Ran reminded her, "Add two 'earth' radicals to the 'wood' radical and stack them up." Sister Wang wrote it out carefully. Although the structure of the character "桂" was a bit loose, it was completely correct. Encouraging applause rang out from below.

Next, Li Xiulan wrote her name. She always wrote the character "Xiu" crookedly, so Shu Ran held her hand and corrected the stroke order.

Zhang Guifen also went on stage and wrote "Zhang Guifen," although the "bow" radical in "Zhang" was written a bit too large.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up, and everyone discovered that many people shared characters in their names. They helped each other, reminding each other how to write a character and which family each person belonged to.

With everyone's help, Sister Wang's roster problem didn't seem so daunting anymore.

Next, Shu Ran took out various prepared samples of tickets and receipts—work point tickets, grain tickets, cloth tickets, collection notices, and simple IOUs.

“When we look at the ration coupons, we don’t need to recognize them all, just the key ones.” She pointed to the work point coupons, “Look, the largest one here is ‘ten points,’ which is ten points; this is ‘five points’; this is ‘two points’. For grain coupons, recognize ‘jin’ and ‘kilogram’; for cloth coupons, recognize ‘chi’.”

She picked up another collection notice: "'Product name' is what the item is called, 'specification' is the size and model, and 'quantity' is how many. For example, this 'work gloves', 'two pairs' means two pairs."

She taught everyone to identify the most crucial information, and the women listened intently; this was truly valuable knowledge.

Finally, there are numbers. Most people recognize them, but Shu Ran emphasized the writing of capital numbers: "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, hundred, thousand. These are commonly used on receipts and ledgers, so you need to be able to recognize them, and it's best if you can write them."

She led everyone in a simple calculation, using capital numbers to illustrate: "One hundred catties of corn, eight cents per catty, how much is the total?" "Three feet of cloth, how much is each foot?"

The class, which was originally scheduled for one hour, went overtime again.

Li Xiulan filled her notebook with surnames and numbers. Zhang Guifen looked at the sample "Glove Collection Notice" repeatedly, muttering to herself.

Sister Wang helped tidy up last, and said excitedly, "Ran, this method really works! I think they all listened to it! Tomorrow I'll take the roster to check, and I guarantee there won't be any mistakes!"

Shu Ran smiled as she looked at the densely packed surnames and numbers on the blackboard: "Big sister, this is just the beginning. Next time, we'll learn the format of bookkeeping, the names of tools and crops, and how to write simple IOUs and receipts."

"Okay! Okay!" Sister Wang nodded repeatedly. "I'll go ask them tomorrow what else they want to learn!"

The news quickly spread throughout the company.

Li Xiulan went to hand in the tofu shop's account book again. Although her handwriting was still messy, the information was written clearly. Accountant Shi adjusted his glasses and, unusually, didn't find fault. When Zhang Guifen went to collect her things, she was able to read the receipts, albeit haltingly, to the point of being able to read the gist of them.

Those who initially refused or made sarcastic remarks are now starting to have second thoughts.

The second activity attracted even more people, making the classroom somewhat crowded. This time, Shu Ran taught simple accounting formats and common item names. She had Sister Wang collect the words everyone most wanted to learn beforehand: "hoe," "sickle," "iron hoe," "basket," "carrying pole," "corn," "wheat," "cotton," "cabbage," "potato," "work points," "subsidy," "expenditure," "surplus," etc.

The teaching method remained closely tied to practical application. Shu Ran led everyone in a simulated record-keeping exercise, and helped them recognize the characters on the labels of items in the tool shed and warehouse.

The third and fourth times, the number of people who came increased significantly. Even the Sun family's daughter-in-law, who had made sarcastic remarks at the beginning, couldn't resist her curiosity and brought others along.

The classroom was packed. They may never become cultured people, but they are trying to break free from the shackles of ignorance.

Shu Ran stood on the podium, watching all of this. She realized that the literacy content she had hastily prepared in her lesson plan was becoming increasingly insufficient.

Perhaps it's time to compile some more systematic and locally relevant simplified teaching materials, such as Chinese character recognition and basic arithmetic, which can be used by both adults and children.