Elevate Your English Skills: Excel in Spoken English, Master Grammar, and Dive into the World of Literature with Me

Find out more about Aparajita

• Tell us more about your subject. How did you develop an interest in this field?

  Born and brought up in a family with scholars and a passionate mother belonging to the same field, I always felt it would be 'cool' to teach english. After I passed my secondary exams, I started giving a few local students free classes of grammar and literature. That's when I came to know about the demand for Spoken English. The parents would especially request me to talk to their kids only in English for the duration of the class. It was easy for me, since I studied in CBSE board, and always had a knack for English. After 11th, when I excelled in the art of taking classes, I wanted to have a side income through this. It was corona time, so I looked online and this particular platform had a lot of reviews. I casually created an account, which led me here today!

• What or who is the motivation behind you choosing to teach & why?

  Firstly, my mother. She taught English to kids of class 5-12. I've grown up playing in her lap while she taught the other students. She is my inspiration.
  Secondly, my father. He was the one who took the decision of enrolling me in an English Medium School from an early age. It was a decision that most rural people were afraid of taking. He also bought me lots of story books since I was 8. My love for literature grew from there.
  Thirdly, my teachers. Many mentors in school as well as from my contact circle used to praise me and teach me new things. They would tell me stories which queued up my interest.

• How does your work help society?

  Education is the way to a bright future. Choosing an online platform to teach kids is a decision that benefits not only me, but also poor people living in remote areas. I can reach them at the cost of minimum requirement, like having a stable internet connection and a mobile or a laptop. I have taught more than 10 students out of the state, and currently am teaching 3 foreign students. It makes my classes available to everyone without the hassle of travelling and wasting time.

• If you had to think of a role model for your work, who do you think of & why?

  I take APJ Abdul Kalam and Swami Vivekananda as role models. They are famous figures who did so many good things for our country. They shaped society and young minds with good influence. They proved to us that besides having good education, you should have good intentions too. And last but not the least, my mother. She has inspired me throughout my childhood, and continues to do so till now. She is a very strong woman with a heart of gold. I hope I can be hardworking like her someday.

• Tell us about your hobbies outside teaching.

  I like to write stories and sketch. I love drawing. I used to write poems since I was 10. Even now, I write short stories, scripts for movies, create illustrations and storyboards. I'm fascinated by art, movies and literature.

• Do you have an anecdote to tell us about your student or professional life?

  Actually, I have a few. There are bittersweet moments I've shared with my students throughout this short career of 3 years. And I, in fact, have a few stories to tell. I'll keep the most embarrassing ones to myself as it also concerns the student's privacy. but one time, there was this one student who texted me and requested a demo class. I soon got sure that he's only fooling around and has no real intention of taking classes. So I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. He was so persistent, and insisted that I give him a class anyhow. So I told him to write a 100 word essay on the essence of education. He left me on read for 2 days after he received the text. But when he came back online, he told me that he had completed the homework. I knew he didn't. So I decided to end this once and for all. I sent him a gmeet link, he joined. As expected, he just wrote 2 lines in scribbly handwriting. I asked him to rewrite it in front of me. But he said that he doesn't have the skill to write, that's why he needs the sessions. So obviously, I asked him to pay the monthly or weekly fees, after that I shall teach him everything from the basics. He told me that he's an orphan and doesn't have any money. I asked him to go to an NGO. They provide free education. But he was persistent to take classes only from me. I ended the call because he was dragging the topic, and blocked him. But then he kept spamming me from different numbers. Sometimes as a police inspector, sometimes as his local guardian. The funniest part was him threatening me as a police inspector that he'd press charges upon me for forgery and demanding money from poor kids. He told me that I have put mental pressure on a student and now he's traumatised! It wasn't funny then, I was fuming at his audacity. But now when I come to think about it, I feel like it was pretty funny. I also have good memories with students, but I felt it my responsibility to share it with my fellow teachers and students to be aware of such scams.