Sunshine Speech Files IPO Prospectus After Nearly 40 Years of Helping Over 23,000 Individuals Overcome Language Disorders

In 1988, Professor He Ling, founder of Sunshine Language, began her internship at a military region hospital after studying at the Fourth Military Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. During a clinical visit accompanied by her supervising physician, she encountered a girl who would change the course of her life.

The girl was still of school age, but due to significant defects in her spoken expression, she was mocked and bullied by her classmates. Ultimately, she had no choice but to drop out of school, which caused her personality to become gloomy and withdrawn. Her mother took her to numerous hospitals, but the doctors were all at a loss. Thus, the mother and daughter arrived here with their last hope, only to be told that while there was nothing wrong with the girl’s articulatory organs, there was currently no solution available, and she could only return home to practice more on her own.

This left Professor He Ling, then a “prospective physician,” deeply shocked. Faced with language barriers—a seemingly “minor” issue that caused neither pain nor itch yet inflicted severe physical and psychological tolls on patients and their families—doctors were utterly helpless. Such a reality was unacceptable to a fledgling medical student who was nonetheless ambitious and full of aspiration. Consequently, Professor He Ling began frequenting major libraries to consult relevant literature, only to discover that information on this topic was exceedingly scarce both domestically and internationally, representing what was virtually a blank spot in the medical field.

This lack of documented evidence only strengthened her resolve to study language disorders. From that point on, Professor He Ling embarked on the long journey of researching language disorders. It was during this process that Sunshine Language was born.

Sunshine Language, founded by Professor He Ling in 1988, was formally established in 2004. It is among the first professional speech correction institutions in China to integrate clinical practice with scientific research for speech disorders. Over the past 37 years, Sunshine Language has evolved into a technology group integrating scientific research, education, rehabilitation training, and instructor training, helping tens of thousands of individuals with speech disorders regain speech health in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Unlike critical illnesses, language disorders are typically not accompanied by significant physical suffering or life-threatening risks. Compared to the overt symptoms of severe conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, the external manifestations of language disorders are more readily attributed to non-pathological factors such as “speech habits,” “introverted personality,” or “lack of concentration.” Consequently, language disorders have not received sufficient attention from either society or the medical community.

Meanwhile, in the allocation of medical resources, traditional medicine has prioritized organic diseases, while language disorders—categorized under “communication disorders”—have long been marginalized. Many primary healthcare institutions lack speech-language pathologists, and pediatricians or general practitioners often overlook language assessments, resulting in extremely high rates of missed diagnoses. Furthermore, the scarcity of specialized professionals directly limits access to early intervention for these conditions.

Furthermore, the etiology of language disorders is complex, involving neurodevelopmental factors, brain injury, genetic predispositions, and hearing impairments. This field spans multiple interdisciplinary domains, including linguistics, rehabilitation science, education, psychology, and neurology, thereby presenting high research thresholds and significant challenges.

The confluence of these factors has rendered language barriers a long-neglected yet deeply impactful “stubborn ailment” affecting individuals’ social integration and mental health.

This is precisely the predicament that Sunshine Language is committed to overcoming. With the mission of “enabling every individual with a speech disorder to speak normally,” the company is dedicated to filling the gaps in research and rehabilitation for speech disorders.

Professor He Ling, Founder of Sunshine LanguageGraduated from the Fourth Military Medical University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1989, holding a Master’s degree in Medicine. He is a member of the Chinese Cleft Lip and Palate Diagnosis and Treatment Alliance, a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Vice Chairman of the Child Rehabilitation Subcommittee of the International Alliance for Skills Development in Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS Countries, and a distinguished visiting professor at multiple higher education institutions.

Professor He Ling, Founder of Sunshine Language

Professor He Ling is one of the earliest experts in China to conduct research on speech pathology. Since 1988, she has been dedicated to studying the mechanisms underlying language disorders and corrective training methods. She has developed various corrective techniques for language disorders, including “AFPS,” “AFPP,” and “AFPR,” as well as rehabilitative training methods for children with developmental disorders, such as “AFPC” and “AFPD.” Professor He has published dozens of academic papers and holds multiple national patents.

When Professor He Ling first entered the field of language disorder research, reference literature available in China was extremely scarce. Although English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States had relatively abundant resources, their applicability was limited due to significant differences in linguistics and articulation patterns. From 1988 to 2004, the founding team of Sunshine Language conducted case studies and accumulated domestic experience while simultaneously reviewing international literature. Over more than a decade, the team carried out in-depth surveys in communities and schools to collect frontline clinical data and established a solid theoretical foundation.

Under the leadership of Professor He Ling, Sunshine Language established China’s first training base for speech correction specialists and, as the only invited language correction center at the time, joined the Chinese Cleft Lip and Palate Diagnosis and Treatment Alliance. Furthermore, Sunshine Language is an official member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has obtained more than ten qualifications, including utility model patents, software copyrights, and work copyrights.

To date, Sunshine Language has been deeply engaged in the research and training of speech and language disorders for 37 years. This journey includes a moving story of “second-generation succession.” Gu Fengyi, President of Sunshine Language Technology Group, is not only a core member of the Sunshine Language team but also the daughter of Professor He Ling.

Gu Fengyi, President of Sunshine Language Technology Group

Gu Fengyi has known since childhood that her future was inextricably linked to the field of “speech correction.” Her mother’s and her entire family’s dedication and commitment to this cause made her deeply aware that it was not merely a business, but a vocation dedicated to transforming lives. To ensure the successful inheritance and development of this endeavor, Gu Fengyi studied at Fudan University’s School of Management and Johns Hopkins University, where she systematically acquired expertise in management, finance, and education. She later moved to New York to work with an NGO focused on the correction and rehabilitation of individuals with speech and learning disabilities. There, she gained exposure to professional management systems and cutting-edge medical-educational approaches, aiming to enhance the corporate competitiveness of Sunshine Speech from both managerial and educational perspectives.

In terms of team composition, Sunshine Language has established a multidisciplinary expert advisory board spanning medicine, linguistics, rehabilitation science, psychology, and education. Each stage is supported by corresponding experts and think tank resources, providing students with a comprehensive solution that covers the entire process—from joint pre-correction assessments by experts, through dynamic evaluations during training, to verification of correction outcomes. Notably, more than half of Sunshine Language’s employees have been with the company for over ten years.

As language barrier training falls within the realm of medical rehabilitation, it relies heavily on practical experience, and theoretical knowledge cannot be universally applied to every individual in clinical practice. Therefore, over decades of practice, the Sunshine Language team has consistently adhered to customizing training plans based on each student’s unique circumstances, accumulating a vast number of case studies and practical expertise, thereby laying a solid foundation for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of training.

Currently, Sunshine Language has established a comprehensive service workflow encompassing nine key steps: “Center Visit/Online Consultation – Joint Expert Assessment to Determine Intervention Plan – Selection of Training Modality – Enrollment Competency Assessment – Development of Training Plan – Plan Implementation and Tracking – Regular Assessment and Optimization – Achievement of Desired Outcomes.” The professional team at Sunshine Language conducts multidimensional assessments of each student, covering hearing, oral structure, articulation performance, and cognitive comprehension. This process enables the diagnosis of the underlying causes and mechanisms of the student’s language disorders, facilitating the provision of personalized, precision-based solutions. Furthermore, the training plan is regularly optimized and adjusted in response to dynamic changes in the student’s comprehension, receptiveness, and developmental level.

In this process, Sunshine Language has established an efficacy assurance system, comprising a four-tier supervision framework: “Trainer – Subject Supervisor – Director Supervisor – Department Supervisor – Expert Supervisor.” During specific training sessions for students, the company assigns multiple professional trainers to provide many-to-one guidance, offering integrated training support in areas such as speech, behavior, cognitive comprehension, and psychology. Currently, Sunshine Language employs approximately 100 full-time rehabilitation therapists.

Sunshine Language Offline Center Training Scenarios

Within the efficacy assurance framework, the disciplinary supervision team is responsible for methodological oversight and technical support across various specialized disciplines to ensure training precision. The chief supervisor oversees the progress and optimization potential of each training phase from a cross-functional perspective, conducting training supervision and control to guarantee quality. The departmental supervisor focuses primarily on monitoring progress and resolving complex issues. Furthermore, expert supervisors are responsible for strategic direction and review, providing authoritative assurance for the training protocols.

In terms of technological accumulation, Professor He Ling has developed three patented methodologies—AFPP, AFPR, and AFPC—leveraging her profound interdisciplinary knowledge, academic research expertise, and practical experience, thereby establishing a unique technical barrier for Sunshine Language.

"The AFPP Perfect Speech Correction Method" is a corrective approach independently developed by Professor He Ling through over thirty years of research and repeated clinical practice. It is applicable to functional and pathological speech disorders caused by various etiologies and has won the gold medal for China at an international rehabilitation competition. Based on systematic speech and functional analysis, this method fundamentally resolves speech issues through its proprietary precise functional training and phonetic element correction techniques. Furthermore, it enables simultaneous intervention for other related problems, achieving rapid, thorough, and optimal outcomes.

Here, “A” stands for Analysis, referring to scientific and comprehensive assessment and analysis, including diagnostic analysis and evaluative analysis during the training process; “F” stands for Function, referring to precise functional training. This training is based on scientific functional analysis and provides targeted, intensive intervention for students’ speech and related functional impairments. Gu Fengyi emphasizes that Sunshine Language places great emphasis on functional training. Through such training, students’ muscle strength and coordination are improved, and the functional performance of their articulatory organs is optimized, thereby establishing the foundational conditions for normal phonation. This approach fundamentally addresses the physiological barriers to normal pronunciation and speech, rather than merely having students mechanically imitate correct sounds. “Our students span a wide age range, from as young as two years old to over sixty years of age. Due to age-related constraints, some students may have limited comprehension abilities; however, thanks to functional training, their vocalization has shown significant improvement.”

“P” stands for Pronunciation, referring to training on specific phonetic elements. This training is conducted based on scientific phonetic analysis and targets the specific phonetic issues identified in each student to ensure high efficiency. “Phonetic elements are diverse, and errors regarding any given element can vary significantly among students. Therefore, drawing on years of experience, we have meticulously deconstructed various pronunciation errors and their corresponding correction strategies, thereby forming a set of efficient and rapid solutions tailored to each student’s individual needs,” added Gu Fengyi. The final “P” stands for Perfect, referring to synchronized comprehensive optimization training. While correcting pronunciation, this approach simultaneously addresses as many related issues as possible—such as speech rhythm, intonation, and timbre—to achieve holistic and maximized improvement in overall language proficiency.

"The AFPR Stuttering Correction Method" is a stuttering correction approach tailored to different types of stuttering, developed by Professor He Ling through over thirty years of research, drawing on advanced international correction methods, and synthesizing insights from tens of thousands of successful cases. This method is grounded in systematic analysis of language function and language psychology. It addresses the root causes of stuttering from both functional and psychological perspectives by combining precise functional compensation training and scientific speech rhythm training with professional psychological counseling (for adults) or psychological support (for children).

“The AFPC Comprehensive Intervention Method” is a localized intervention and training system independently developed by Professor He Ling to address comprehensive ability deficits in conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays in children. Its core components include an expert-led analytical assessment framework, proprietary functional training techniques, language development and holistic language competence training methodologies, as well as multiple key competency training approaches and techniques encompassing cognitive training, behavioral intervention, and social skills training.

Furthermore, Sunshine Language has established a comprehensive product portfolio encompassing diverse training modalities, including offline one-on-one training, online one-on-one training, small-group instructional training, parent training and guidance, home-based training guidance, group training camps, and social integration training.

According to Gu Fengyi, the speech disorder rehabilitation industry currently faces significant issues regarding industry standards and has yet to fully form a synergistic force to drive its development. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of specialized professionals in the field of speech disorder rehabilitation, coupled with a lack of systematic courses on cutting-edge rehabilitation technologies and theories, resulting in slow knowledge updates among practitioners. To address these challenges, Sunshine Language is collaborating with universities to establish internship bases for talent cultivation and is attempting to initiate relevant group standards, thereby assisting the industry in developing more unified criteria for the assessment and classification of speech disorders.

Furthermore, due to language barriers, the rehabilitation cycle is often prolonged, requiring substantial investments of time, effort, and financial resources. Therefore, it is crucial to integrate speech rehabilitation into daily life, enabling more children to adhere to their therapy regimens, while providing high-quality solutions at a low cost. Currently, Sunshine Language is incorporating AI technology to launch training programs that lower the barrier to entry, are affordably priced, and benefit a broader population.

It is worth noting that in 2020, Sunshine Language’s operations were still predominantly offline, and the sudden outbreak of the pandemic exposed the company to the risk of business suspension. Within just one week, the company migrated its assessment services online, and in less than three weeks, it completed the digital transition of its intervention training programs, laying a solid foundation for its subsequent remote online services. According to Gu Fengyi, after five years of validation, Sunshine Language’s online services have been proven to achieve outcomes comparable to those of offline services.

Currently, Sunshine Language’s offline training centers are located in Beijing and Changchun, with three campuses in Beijing and two in Changchun. Its online training programs have an even broader reach, with students distributed across nearly all provinces in China. To date, more than 23,000 students have successfully graduated from Sunshine Language, including international and online learners, all of whom have seamlessly integrated into schools, workplaces, and the wider social environment.

In the future, Sunshine Language will continue to refine and optimize its existing solutions to provide higher-quality training services, enabling students to achieve normal speech communication at a faster pace. Meanwhile, the company will continue to explore new pathways for speech disorder rehabilitation and strengthen the professional development of its therapists. In the long term, Gu Fengyi stated that the company will remain deeply committed to the field of speech disorder rehabilitation, promote industry standardization, accelerate its international expansion, and strive to benefit a broader patient population.

“Our team has always upheld the original aspiration of ‘sincere care, high responsibility, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of perfection.’ We have never treated Sunshine Language’s operations merely as a ‘money-making business,’ avoiding excessive commercialization. Instead, guided by a sense of responsibility toward each student, we employ scientific methods to provide the best possible training within our capabilities,” introduced Gu Fengyi. “Furthermore, we strive for perfect correction in speech therapy. Speech serves communication, enabling individuals to better integrate into society through expressive language. Therefore, we do not settle for merely helping students produce sounds or approximate pronunciations; rather, we aim to help them speak like typical individuals.”