Lessons in Language, Laughter, and Learning

Dwaipayan Chakraborty is a long standing volunteer teacher with eVidyaloka’s digital classrooms and here is her heartfelt experience of teaching students in rural India, a story best heard in her own words.

"Teaching with eVidyaloka for almost three years now has been an immensely rewarding journey. It has given me the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change while growing personally through each class I take. I have taught students in schools across Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, experiencing the diversity, curiosity, and resilience they bring to the classroom.

The online mode of learning comes with its unique challenges, especially in keeping younger children engaged, but it has also allowed us to reach students in remote areas and continue their education consistently. This would not have been possible without the support of the entire eVidyaloka team including coordinators, class assistants, and backend developers who work tirelessly to ensure classes run smoothly, enabling volunteers like me to focus on teaching and connecting with the students.

One of the most challenging yet fulfilling parts of my journey was teaching mathematics in Hindi and Bengali, even though neither was the medium of my own education. It pushed me to adapt my teaching so that students could learn in a language they were comfortable with, making the learning process more effective and relatable for them.

Teaching younger children online comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to capturing their attention. To keep them engaged and help concepts sink in, I use relatable stories, fun examples, and real-life events they can connect with.

For instance, when teaching concepts like ratios and proportions, I often use the example of a dozen eggs. The moment I mention “eggs” in Bengali, the students find it funny, instantly grabbing their attention and creating a light moment that makes