Poems rhyme through the ages

"I hoped they would integrate yinsong into their Chinese classes, which would help spark student interest in Chinese literature and even history," she says. The delivery, the musical intonation of the singsong approach helps students swim in the stream of emotion, delve into the work's background, and "connect with the author emotionally".

Recognizing its magical powers, teachers like Wu, and college professors and students such as those at the CNU are promoting the skill nationwide.

A research center and inheritance base of yinsong was set up in April at the CNU to preserve and pass on the knowledge. Researchers at the center established a targeted approach, which included pinpointing different schools based on geographic location or dialect, and editing textbooks for learners ranging from beginners to the advanced, according to Leng Weiguo, the center's director.

Separately, more than 100,000 teachers of the subject across the country are attending online and offline training courses offered by the university.

Leng says if students in elementary education master the method to deliver ancient poems and prose, it will be a major breakthrough. "To understand the tonal patterns and prosody will greatly help learners appreciate the literary works in a joyful and instructive way," Leng says.

Over 100 schools in Beijing have included yinsong in their curricula, such as Tsinghua University Primary School, Beijing Luhe High School and Beijing Jingshan School.

Elective courses are also offered for college students in about 50 universities, including the CNU, Guangxi Normal University, Qingdao University, and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.

College students, too, have shown interest. Yang Yan, a 25-year-old postgraduate at China Normal University is one of them. She chose to attend an elective course in 2013.

"I never expected that literary works could be studied in such an amazing way. It adds so much charm to ancient literature," says Yang, an ancient literature major.

"We can better comprehend and memorize a poem by learning how to deliver it in measured cadences and varying tones. To me, the melodious chanting is very touching and helps cultivate my aesthetic tastes," she says.

"When I immerse myself in it, I have empathy with the poets, learn from ancient people's experiences, and get closer to the essential spirit of our long-standing culture."

To share her joy and passion, she even entertains friends and family.

"I often perform yinsong at birthday parties for my elders, wishing them good health and a long life, and they all love it," says Yang.