For ambitious Chinese parents, the opportunity was too good to miss – even with its 100,000 yuan (£9,950) price tag. Their children would learn to read books in just 20 seconds and identify poker cards by touch. The most talented would instantly see answers in their heads when presented with test papers.
Tania Branigan is China Correspondent for The Guardian and has been based in Beijing since 2008, covering every major story from the Wenchuan earthquake to the downfall of Bo Xilai, the Olympics, and...