Sandeep Kaur, an English language instructor at PICS, has been instrumental in transforming the lives of her students.
With nearly three years of experience at PICS (the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society) in Surrey and a background in teaching from India, Kaur shares her journey, challenges and the impact that English proficiency has on her students' lives.
Kaur’s passion for teaching began in her home country, India, where she earned her bachelor's and post graduate degrees in education and worked several years as a teacher at a renowned language school.
Despite her qualifications, she also pursued TESOL certification in Canada, after which she eventually found her calling at PICS.
“Fortunately, I was interviewed by PICS and was selected," she says.
The PICS appeal
"PICS is a great place to work," Kaur shares. "PICS is not only about language services; they provide employment, housing and social programs. They are doing an immense amount of work," she says.
"You cannot do so much individually, but with the resources here, you can achieve so much," she adds.
Kaur shares that teaching English, especially for beginners and non-native speakers, comes with its set of challenges.
“You come across a lot of speakers with different goals and fears of expressing themselves. It's quite demanding," she says, adding that the pandemic further complicated teaching dynamics. PICS shifted to remote learning, continuing to offer its services and help people.
However, Kaur views these challenges as opportunities to innovate and adapt her teaching methods. "Challenges come every day, but you have to find a way to overcome them," she says.
A day in the life
A typical day for Kaur brings a mix of structured teaching and spontaneous problem-solving, lesson planning, engaging activities and personalized attention to students who need addtional help.
"Teaching has always been a passion for me, because of the nobility, compassion and the satisfaction it brings," she says. "And my students amaze me every day. Watching them tackle challenges is very inspiring."
Kaur observes significant changes in her students’ confidence and career prospects. "Many were overly qualified in their home countries, but English was the only barrier.
After overcoming this, they are now doing their jobs successfully and fulfilling their family's," she explains. This transformation is what makes her most proud. "They have been consulted, and there are changes in their daily lives," she says.
Comparing her experience in India with PICS, Kaur highlights the organization's commitment to accessible and effective education. "PICS is doing incredible work, teaching for free, and providing more resources to those in urgent need," she states.
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