Learning Flows Both Ways
Language & Communication Training
My exposure to the corporate world happened in my late twenties, and it was both an eye-opener and a turning point in my life.
We went through various training sessions along with process training, and I would call it the best experience. Although it felt overwhelming at times, I enjoyed every bit of it. It felt like being back in college — only this time, we were getting paid at the end of every month.
My aspiration to be a mentor and trainer began when I was put on the bench for my MTI. Our voice trainers were good at their craft, but their attitude towards us wasn’t encouraging. That’s when I thought — I want to be the kind of trainer who helps others like me.
In 2021, the universe opened that door for me. I joined a startup where I had the opportunity to showcase my skills and experiment freely. There was no formal training on how to teach, so Google and YouTube became my best guides. Every day I researched, made notes, and watched videos to understand how to mentor effectively.
My team leader encouraged me to explore tools like OBS Studio and do voiceovers for lessons. Since I was trained in pronunciation, she also asked me to create audio recordings of difficult words for students. Soon, I was entrusted with handling beginner sessions, which became my foundation.
My very first online class was on the usage of “Do/Does/Did,” for a group of 21 learners — government school teachers, homemakers, and officials. I realised quickly that my nervousness came from not knowing the kind of questions they might ask.
That day, I learned one of my biggest lessons: when training adults, always be ready to explain things logically, with examples connected to real-life situations. Another important practice is to remind them that they already know the language — they simply don’t use it daily, so recalling words takes time.
Every session since then has reinforced one truth: learning is a two-way street. Trainers are not just teaching, but also encouraging, motivating, and giving learners the space to make mistakes and grow.
At the end of each session, both the trainer and the learner walk away with something new. And that, for me, is the joy of this profession.
Sheela A Shetty
