Dr Arun has been teaching English for over 29 years. He is a Certified Soft Skills (English) trainer from IIMPT-Bangalore, IELTS Train the Trainer from British Council-Chennai, Spoken English Coach, SAT Tutor, Research Consultant, English Coach for Competitive Exams, English Tutor for CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and College Syllabi.
He has also been a reviewer and an editor for several national and international journals and has authored seven books and 95 Research papers in journals. He is an advisor for RNB University and a member, advisor, and consultant for several organizations.
Our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Arun B
Here is an excerpt from the interview with Dr. Arun B.
Q1. When and how did you start as an IELTS trainer?
Ans: I started working as an IELTS trainer in August 2015. I saw people really struggle to go abroad for studies or jobs. Then it dawned on me to help them clear IELTS with a good band score. I really felt like giving the aspirants wings to fly and be a part of their success stories. My job as a professor of English for several years stood me in good stead and the formal certification from the British Council added value. It is such a rewarding experience to recall that, in the past 5 years or so, scores of aspirants including doctors, engineers and nurses have succeeded in achieving their dreams.
Q2. What skills are required to become an IELTS trainer?
Ans: It is both rewarding and challenging to be an IELTS trainer. One of the basic skills required for an IELTS trainer is mastery over the English language besides of course a thorough understanding of the subject. Moreover, certain features such as meticulous planning, focused approach and diligence are almost indispensable for an IELTS trainer.
Q3. What do you think makes you stand out from other IELTS trainers on UrbanPro.com?
Ans: I am passionate about the training I offer and I am equally eager to see my students come out with flying colours. From day one, I try to understand their strengths and weaknesses and plan a regimen accordingly. Of course, my experience of teaching English at university level for close to 30 years gives me an added advantage. My expertise in the subject, the understanding of the Test and the skills come really handy. Many of my students appreciate the warmth and empathy as also the way of responding to their questions almost instantaneously.
Q4. How did you come across UrbanPro.com?
Ans: I had been a certified online tutor for years. Though I enjoyed the classes, it began to take a toll on my health. So one fine morning I called it quits and decided to go in for UrbanPro, about which I had heard. When I visited the website, I was impressed with the interface and the services it offered. I signed up with UrbanPro as a Trainer and it made all the difference! There was no looking back since then.
Q5. What was the turning point in your career?
Ans: The overwhelming response I got from students for IELTS made me decide to snap my ties with other tutoring portals and coaching centres and sign up with UrbanPro. Of late, I have been offering training in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, SAT-English, Soft skills, Personality Development, Spoken English, Creative Writing and Career Counseling from my home as a freelancer. I am seriously considering making it a full-time career.
Q6. How did UrbanPro.com help you expand your teaching classes?
Ans: UrbanPro works as a bridge between the trainers and those who need intervention. It generates a lot of leads based on the requirements of the candidates thereby giving me a good number of students. The listing of my profile on UrbanPro has greatly helped me get lots of enquiries. I must say, the UrbanPro team is really proactive in addressing any issue that the students, or the tutors, may face. Besides, it offers flexibility and autonomy to both the tutors and the students alike.
Q7. What percentage of your work comes from UrbanPro.com?
Ans: UrbanPro brings both the tutors and the students on the same platform by generating a huge number of leads. I get about three-quarters of my work through UrbanPro. Many a time, the automated enquiry communications get converted.
About the Trainer:
Dr Arun Behera is a passionate and committed IELTS trainer from Bangalore. He holds a doctorate in English besides a PG Diploma in Teaching of English from the prestigious English and Foreign Languages University-Hyderabad. In addition to IELTS, he offers coaching in TOEFL, PTE, SAT-English, Softskills, Personality Development, Creative Writing, Career Counselling and Spoken English.
Dr Behera has authored eight books and published 100 research articles and is on the editorial board and review panel of a dozen journals. He has won the IRDP Award for Teaching & Research, MTC Global Distinguished Teacher Award and the Shiksha Rattan Puraskar.
