In a world where cultural boundaries often divide, one teacher is using the power of language to build bridges. Sri Devi, a former banker turned into tutor, is not just teaching Tamil and Mandarin, she is connecting hearts, preserving heritage, and helping students see language as a living, breathing part of country’s identity.
As we celebrate Teacher’s Day today, we should honor educators like Sri Devi, whose impact reaches far beyond the virtual classrooms.
From Numbers to Nouns: A New Beginning
Before stepping into the world of education, Sri Devi worked in the banking sector. Life was stable but a piece felt missing.
“I’ve always been passionate about teaching”, she says. “After the pandemic hit, I started sharing Mandarin lessons on TikTok–just for fun and to help people. But then, people began asking for more structured lessons.”
That’s when she decided she could turn this into something meaningful. Her journey from banker to teacher was not just a career switch, it was a calling rediscovered.
The Rare Gift of Bilingual Fluency
Being fluent in both Tamil and Mandarin is uncommon, especially to the level Sri Devi teaches. Who teaches Mandarin in Tamil and Tamil in Mandarin. Raised in a Tamil-speaking household, she also received formal Mandarin education at school. But books alone did not raise her.
“I received formal education in mandarin at school, while speaking Tamil at home. I practiced speaking Mandarin by engaging in conversation with Chinese and I spoke Tamil with my family.
Her bilingual ability is now her greatest strength. She seamlessly explains Mandarin concepts in Tamil and vice versa, making her classes accessible and relatable for students from diverse backgrounds.
Making Languages Approachable
When students first step into her class, many come with a one similar,
“Many students believe that these languages are difficult to master. They think mandarin is difficult because of it’s tones and pronunciation. But they are absolutely learnable with the right approach and consistent practice”, she says
To counter these fears, Sri Devi uses real-life examples, music, cultural stories, and even food reference to teach vocabulary and structure. Whether it’s through Tamil movie lyrics or Chinese folk songs, she brings familiarity and fun into her lessons.
Digital Meets Traditional: A Balanced Approach
In the age of apps, and AI tutors, Sri Devi has embraced technology but not without grounding it in fundamentals.
“Apps are great for interactive practice, especially for pronunciation and vocabulary recall. But I still believe in traditional methods, like reading aloud, writing by hand, and regular speaking practice”, she shares
She often recommends a blended approach, using language learning apps outside of class to supplement the deeper leaning that happens during her live sessions.
A Teacher’s Reward: The Heartfelt Moments
As a teacher, the biggest reward is watching their students reach heights. One story still stays with her is, one of student from overseas who struggled with Mandarin but stayed consistent.
One unforgettable moment from my online teaching journey was when a student from another country, who struggled to speak Chinese, surprised me by writing a heartfelt thank you message entirely in the language I taught her.
Such moments, she says are true rewards of teaching, not the number of students, but the number of lives touched.
Preserving Culture, One Word at a Time
Sri Devi’s teaching isn’t just about language, its about legacy. She believes her dual role helps preserve both Chinese and Indian cultural values for future generations. She believes when students learn a language, they’re not just learning to speak, they’re learning a way of thinking, a set of values, a way of seeing the world. Language is culture and when she teaches Tamil or Mandarin, she passes down traditions, proverbs, and stories that keep the heritage alive.
In today’s increasingly globalised world, her classes are more than educational, they are acts of cultural preservation.
What Makes a Good Language Teacher?
“A good language teacher is patient and communicates with students often. It’s important to make students feel safe to make mistakes and celebrate their progress.
She believes constant communication and personalised feedbacks are crucial, especially in language education, where students can quickly feel overwhelmed or discouraged.
To students who doubt themselves or fear failure in terms of education, as a teacher Sri Devi offers reassurance,
“Don’t give up, learning language is a journey not a race. It’s ok to make mistakes.”
She encourages students to shift their mindset from chasing perfection to celebrating progress.
A Day of Gratitude
For Sri Devi, Teacher’s Day is more than a calendar event, it’s a moment of reflection and appreciation.
“Teacher’s Day is a day for educators to appreciate teachers for their hard work, patience, and their understanding”.
Sri Devi may not stand in front of a traditional classroom, but her work is no less impactful. In every online session, every lesson plan, and every word taught, she is nurturing not just linguistic skills, but confidence, curiosity and cross cultural impact. Now as a teacher Sri Devi offers 6 month course for students ranging 7 and even to those who are in the 50s.
This Teacher’s Day, we honour educators like Sri Devi, who remind us that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, its about inspiring others to find their voice.
Happy Teacher’s Day To All The Teacher’s Who Inspires Their Students and Shape Their Future!
All Information’s And Images Are Provided By Sri Devi.
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