Gitika

Gitika Tutor Interview

Q. Hi Gitika! We have known about the economic has been growing rapidly in India, what’s it like in India recently?

A. The Indian Economy, after liberalisation, has grown at a very high rate resulting in the increase in the spending power of the Middle Class. The free trade practices brought in the desired finances and helped increase the Income levels. Unlike the other developed nations (which face a huge international debt, weak consumer spending power, ageing population, vulnerability to recession, worsening political turmoils), India grows @ 8 – 9%. Political stability, a very healthy financial investment trend prevailing in middle class, substantial domestic savings and growing corporate earnings make for continued economic growth. A big domestic consumption base which reduces export dependence and a greater percentage of income from rural part of country and requisite availability of cheap labour grants the Indian economy, a high degree of immunity from recession. India is rising up to newer demands and turning in a lifestyle akin to the developed nations owing to wider exposure of a newly evolving travelling middle class (corporate and tourist), wider and easier availability of international products and rapidly growing infrastructural investments. An increasingly growing Real Estate sector, IT sector, Education Sector, Health Tourism (a cheap and dependable destination for south and east asian countries) alongwith Entertainment (TV and Films) and Sports industry (Formula 1, Cricket, Tennis etc.), not to mention a vertically growing food industry, will further help increase the per capita income levels of an average Indian. We can, therefore, safely conclude that Indian Economy will continue its vertical rise at an attractive pace and rate.

Q. May I ask about your town you live?

A. I live in Noida, which is a satellite town south of New Delhi and is administered by the National Capital Region Planning Board. It was set up in 1976 as a result of Urbanisation drive by the government of India. However it aquired its present growth structure in past 10 years when reputed and large IT companies set up their corporate offices here. As a special economic zone, Noida, today, boasts of many large software enterprises, computer companies and business process outsourcing units. It has also evolved as an industrial hub for automobiles and a modern and adequately equipped centre for Film production and commercial activities of all kinds. The spate of luxury malls, restaurants, pubs, high end luxury residential apartments, sports academies, new heritage schools, deemed universities have all provided Noida with a plush look and upgradation that has turned this city into a residential wonder. Its population has grown to be more than a milion residents in under a decade. It remains the only Indian city to host the Formula One Grand Prix and will soon have its own international airport.

Q. What kind of languages do people mostly speak in India? And how about you when you are in India?

A. India is a country of varying cultures, traditions and languages. More than 30 languages are spoken by people of India, not to mention the several hundred dialects in which they are actually spoken. Hindi, English, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Oriya, are amongst the most widely spoken Indian languages. Since 1947, both, Hindi and English are used as the official languages of the country. Interestingly, English bridges the gap between the various regional languages and is one of the most commonly spoken language to communicate through-out the Indian sub continent. As for my family, we speak both Hindi and English at home. Though my native language is Hindi, I was brought up in an English speaking environment. I went to a convent school where we were strictly asked to speak only in English. I guess I owe my knowledge and diction of this language to that.

Q. What do you like to do on your holiday?

A. I love travelling to beaches. Its a pity though that the nearest beach from here is a two hour plane ride away.) Enjoying reading and watching the ocean for hours is a pleasant change from the days when I indulged in water sports. Just Heavenly!!! I also love visiting historical monuments, plenty in India, and unravelling the hidden treasures of yester year living.

Q. What is your favorite Indian food? And if you know some recommended sweets in India, please tell us about it.

A. All the Indian spices and herbs make up the distinctive flavours of Indian food. I’m a complete foodie. Each region in India cook their food differently. North Indian food is all steaming curries and hot breads. Very spicy and tangy food .East and North East Indian food mainly consists of rice, fish and vegetable. South Indian food uses coconut as its main ingredients. West India, prepares wheat based breads, spicy curries and uses onion in abundance. Paneer (cottage cheese), Naan (a typical peninsular shaped bread with stuffings), Keema (Minced goat meat) Fish curry with rice, are a few of my favourite food items. I also love to gorge on Paranthas. (Bread made of wheat flour, moulded in thin round shape and butter fried on both sides in medium to high heat on flat base pan.) Indian sweets are known as ‘Mithai’ in Hindi. We have very delicious sweets made of cottage cheese dipped in sugar syrup called Rasgulla. Although it may sound strange but it is distinct in flavour and is very spongy to chew. ‘Ras’ means Syrup and ‘gulla’ means round balls. Few other kinds are Jalebi, (an entanglement of very sweet round shaped crisp flour dipped in ‘Ras’), Halwa, ( a mix of flour, almonds, sugar, dry fruits, mixed and made in clarified butter.)

Q. Do Japanese students have any specific features when you teach?

A. Japanese students have very fine manners and etiquette. They are always very polite and respecting in their speech. They are hardworking and very sincere. One main feature of the pronunciation is the difficulty with ‘R’ and ‘L’ sounds. Other challenges are in the subject –verb agreement, omission of preposition or article, tenses. These are also the challenges faced by any learner. Nothing that a student cannot overcome by regular practice, patience and perseverance.

Q. What would you say are the biggest features of your lessons?

A. I totally adore teaching online. I’ve been teaching English for many years now and have a TEFL certification. Patience in conversation, flexibility in timings, customization of modules, love for teaching and sincerity with students are the predominant features of my lessons. My lessons are flexible and designed to suit individual needs with focus on the understanding of the language. My best efforts are to train the student in all aspects of the English language, namely conversation, pronunciation, listening and reading as per their requirements and requests. My online work experience as an ESL consultant includes *Teaching adults and children on a one to one basis. *Help with preparation for job interviews *Preparation for exams like TOEFL, IELTS *My lessons are interactive in nature and purpose. I think that learning is an ongoing process and knowledge is never enough . I don’t think I am an expert in the language but I just try,　to give out and put in, to the best of my abilities. I too learn a lot of things from and with my students.

Q. Can you give some comments or words of advice to our students?

A. Many difficulties with learning and speaking English arise not because of the lack of knowledge but also because of cultural differences. The difference in the grammar structure also poses a challenge. But anything can be overcome by regular practice. In fact ’Practice makes perfect’ is apt for a person who wants to learn any language. I would just suggest that a student of any language shouldn’t be in a hurry. Learning is a gradual process. It is a journey with interesting paths and delays and obstacles to overcome. Take your time to really enjoy the ride. Have fun on the way.

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Gitika

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