We are happy to feature Lalitha M, a certified spoken English and soft skills trainer from Bangalore. Lalitha has over 15 years of core experience in this field. She started her journey as a trainer in 2005 and has trained numerous learners, including international students from European, Asian, African and South American countries with great success. Her proficiency in this language and the ability to customize classes to ensure maximum satisfaction & optimum learning outcomes are remarkable.
Being a certified TESOL trainer, Lalitha has taught many students for GESE spoken English exams from Trinity College London. She has also trained professionals in various MNCs and private organizations till now. In her classes, students get to learn Spoken English, Communication skills and Soft skills. Besides, she conducts top-quality courses on GMAT, GRE and IELTS. Lalitha is passionate about helping students who want to improve their English language fluency and vocabulary. Thus, she ensures that her classes are highly interactive, fun and meets her students' requirements.
According to one of her students - "Lalitha Manjunath (The trainer) has a unique teaching methodology and exact blueprint. In addition to the classwork, the trainer had given a few supplements immediately after the class, which helped me improve further. She is so dedicated, punctual and flexible. Hence, it became easy for me to learn spoken English along with my day to day work. Along with spoken English, she also trained me in public speaking, soft skills and resume preparation. If you ask me, she is an all-rounder. She is a one-stop destination for all your dreams and desires."
Our heartiest congratulations to Lalitha M!Here is her experience & teaching journey in her own words:
Q1. When and how did you start working as a Spoken English Tutor?
Ans. My journey as an English trainer started in 2005. I helped my maid learn English and her subsequent appointment as a staff member in More Supermarket, Ameerpet, Hyderabad, was the starting point.
I wanted to explore how one adopts a structured approach to training people to become more fluent and confident in using English. I joined Russells Institute in Hyderabad, and since then there has been no looking back. It has been an exhilarating and extremely rewarding journey, to say the least.
Q2. What skills are required to become a Spoken English Tutor?
Ans. The most important skill is, of course, adequate proficiency in the language which one is teaching. An added advantage, though not essential, would be familiarity with the mother tongue of the learner. However, there are other skills which greatly enhance the quality of the classes and the outcome of the training. These include the ability to make the classes fun, customize the content and activities to meet the specific needs of the student and expertly steer the course in a way which meets the stated objectives of the course/ requirements of the learner.
Q3. What, according to you, helps you stand out from other Spoken English Tutors on UrbanPro.com?
Ans. I usually ask my students this question before they start classes with me - "why did you opt for a demo with me?" Their answers have told me that students look for a trainer who they can relate to, and who they feel confident will help them achieve their dream of speaking better English. The reviews are given by students after the course have also helped me understand what makes a student choose a tutor.
Some of the factors that help me do a good job are:
- I know what I am teaching and what outcome can be expected from a student and roughly what time.
- I anticipate the needs and questions of a student and try to satisfy them.
- My experience with students of different nationalities, age groups, backgrounds and needs have helped me in honing my skills as a trainer.
- My classes are flexible and flow in the direction relevant to the student needs and are not fixed solely on pre-decided content.
- Highly interactive classes. Student talking time is maximized.
- The twin objectives of accuracy and fluency are kept in mind while designing activities.
- I include the target vocabulary in my speech, slides, or activities. Vocabulary acquisition is contextual and not textbookish.
Q4. How did you come across UrbanPro.com?
Ans. If I remember right, I came across UrbanPro in a post from an ex-colleague on Facebook.
Q5. What was the turning point in your career?
The first was in 2005 when I decided to become a spoken English and Soft skills trainer. As I previously mentioned, my success with teaching came when I helped my maid get placed as a staff in More supermarkets. Apart from that, I, in my capacity as an Engineering college lecturer, used to find it satisfying to help students with poor English skills improve their soft skills. In 2005, I took the plunge and changed my avatar from Electronics Lecturer to a Spoken English and Soft skills trainer.
Though every part of this 15-year journey has been eventful and exciting, in May 2020, I started teaching online. Till then, I had been firm of the conviction that face to face teaching was the only way to go. Even on UrbanPro, I hadn't opted for the online option. The Coronavirus came along and shattered all my preconceived notions. Not only have I been teaching online since May 2020, but I also feel I have been growing from strength to strength and am now a confident and competent online trainer.
This second turning point is a crucial and precious one as it has not taught me not only to cope but also to excel in any adverse situation.
Q6. How has UrbanPro.com helped you so far as a Tutor?
Ans. I have met amazing students online from across the country, ranging from very basic to advanced level learners. This has been possible only because of UrbanPro. By inspiring students' confidence, they attract very genuine learners, whom it has been a joy to teach. I have expressed this several times to the UrbanPro staff. I continue to remain profoundly grateful to you.
Q7. What percentage of your work comes from UrbanPro.com?
Ans. Almost 60 to 70 % of my work comes from UrbanPro.
About the Tutor:
Lalitha has been conducting basic to advanced level Spoken English classes since 2005. She conducts personal as well as group classes. She holds a TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) certificate and has worked with several organizations. Lalitha is currently residing in Bangalore and is well versed in English, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Telugu.
