The only thing to fear is fear itself

September 5, 2017

Meet Roshan. He is a Software Engineer in a leading IT services company in Pune. His parents are among the thousands of immigrants who made Pune their home in the ’70s. Both studied in schools that offered vernacular instruction and wanted their children to have all the advantages they never did. Roshan was enrolled in a school with English as the medium of instruction. Roshan has faced a few challenges in his career – most of them to do with his lack of confidence when communicating in English. His lack of confidence is a detriment to his growth. He fears to say the wrong thing, or worse still saying something incorrectly and being laughed at. So he holds his tongue even when he has the answers.

This story isn’t unusual. If anything it is a popular theme.

It could have been my story, but for my English teacher, Teresa Lobo. Flashback to my 12-year-old self. I wasn’t confident speaking English, and this affected my studies – I was distracted and always up to some mischief. Mrs Lobo helped me find my solid ground. She nudged me to push past my perceptions and the boundaries of my making and to conquer my fears that were the only things holding me back. Most of all she taught me one of the most valuable lessons I have ever learned in my life – never to consider myself inferior or superior to anyone; never to judge myself relative to someone else’s capabilities or talent.

I carried her lessons with me as I progressed through life. I trained as a software engineer, and while I walked the path I had chosen there was a need in me to share what she taught me with others. Sometime in 2011, I was asked to help prepare six students from Latur for interviews. These students had good scores. They were hard working and sincere. They also had big ambitions. The only obstacle in their path was their interview. They were low on confidence, not about their area of specialisation, but about communicating this knowledge orally in English. Unfortunately in India, without the basic ability to communicate in English, more often than not, you aren’t even considered a suitable candidate no matter what your credentials. As I helped them get comfortable speaking and offering their views in English, I had my aha moment. I realised I wanted to take the lessons Mrs Lobo had taught me to a wider audience. And Teresa’s Learning Centre was born.

Mrs Lobo passed away when I was still in college so she never really got to meet the man I have become. Nor did she get to see how I am using what she taught me to change other lives just like she changed mine. Teresa’s Learning Centre is my tribute to her.

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Communicating effectively	Complete module	24 Hours
Subprogrammes
Programme	Time	Details
Grammar and vocabulary	16	Revision of English Grammar, Sentence Construction and Corporate vocabulary
Effective written and verbal communication	8	Structure Neutrality Assertiveness Empathy Listening skills Art of conversation Clarity Tone of voice Being Culturally Agnostic

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Written Skills	Complete module	20 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Email Writing	8	Email Etiquettes
Effective written communication	12	Email Etiquettes Cohesion and Clarity Neutrality Assertiveness Write to be Understood

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Verbal Skills	Complete module	20 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Phone and Meeting Etiquettes	6	Phone and meeting etiquettes Listening skills Structure Tone of voice Speak to be understood
Art Of Conversation	5	Listening skills Cohesion and Clarity Tone of voice Empathy Body Language
Verbal Effective Communication	6	Listening skills Art of conversation Structure tone of voice Clarity Neutrality Assertiveness Empathy
Style	3	Body Language Tone of Voice Developing your own Style of Conversation

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Customer Relationship Management	Complete module	8 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Customer Relationship Management	8	Empathy Conflict Resolution Ownership & Accountability Time management / planning Tenacity (never give up) Curiosity Adaptability/Flexibility Patience/Self control

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Language Skills	Complete module	32 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Grammar	20	Revision of English Grammar, Sentence Construction
Vocabulary	3	Corporate vocabulary to help in communicating confidently
Verbal	4	Learning to overcome trivial mistakes during verbal communication
Application Tools	6	Reading Comprehension, Inference, Writing Skills

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About Us

Contact

Effective Communication

Written Communication

Verbal Etiquettes

Customer Relationship Management

Revision for the basics of Grammar and English Language Skills

Fresher’s Corporate Grooming

Motivation and Mentoring

Cross Cultural Sensitivity

Positive Thinking Mindsets

Assertiveness

Creativity at Workplace

Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability

Team Playing Skills

Leadership Development Programme

Negotiation Skills

Decision Making

Presentation Skills

Project Management

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Business Skills	Complete module	20 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Corporate Etiquette's	8	This programme will include the basics of how to communicate in a corporate environment with the help of emails and phones etiquette's
Assertiveness	4	This programme will groom the participant to resolve conflicts. This would be done in an assertive manner rather than being aggressive or passive.
Being a Team Player	6	This programme provides all the tools to manage stress in the work environment. It grooms the participant to take risks. Also, they will be trained in accountability and taking complete ownerships of the tasks delegated to them.
Time Management	2	This programme will assist the participants in managing and planning their time to complete the tasks as expected.

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Cross Cultural Sensitivity	Complete module	8 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Understanding how Cross-Cultural Work Environment works	4	Practical tools to reduce cross-cultural. misunderstanding and encourage positive cross-cultural working relationships. In-depth cultural awareness and understanding of the impact of cultural differences The necessary foundation and tools to become culturally competent. A better understanding of the cultural challenges facing multicultural workplaces. The opportunity to enhance cultural sensitivity and competence
Being culturally agnostic in communication	4	Demonstrating ethics and integrity Valuing diversity and difference Communicating effectively Understanding personas Setting vision and strategy Using structured communication to avoid ambiguity in communication

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Positive Thinking Mindsets	Complete module	4 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Positive Thinking Mindsets	4	How to be a Good Team Player. Accountability and Ownership. Dealing with stress and time management. How to get over the fear to make mistakes. Getting over negative talk and thought in team. How to deal with Crisis. Importance of safety and Processes. Importance of Speaking right and listen right

Module	Programmes	Time (hours)
Creativity at Workplace	Complete module	8 hours
Subprogrammes
Programmes	Time	Details
Creativity and Innovation	6	Define innovation and creativity, and identify the 4 components of creativity. Recognize your own creativity. Build your own creative environment. Explain the importance of creativity and innovation in organizations. Recognize elements that foster an innovative and creative work environment Use individual and group techniques to help generate creative ideas. Implement creative ideas.
Ways to present your creative ideas	2	Being able to present your thoughts is as crucial as creativity itself. Presentation of ideas in an Assertive manner with understanding the audience.