Indian EdTech Start-up Recruits Senior Citizens for Online Tutoring Groups

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. exponential / ˌɛk spoʊˈnɛn ʃəl / (adj) – (of an increase) becoming more and more rapid or quick
    Example:

    There’s been an exponential rise in the demand for protective medical equipment.


  2. accommodate / əˈkɒm əˌdeɪt / (v) – to provide something that someone needs or wants
    Example:

    We had to cancel our reservation since the hotel couldn’t accommodate more guests.


  3. diversify / dɪˈvɜr səˌfaɪ / (v) – to increase the variety of something
    Example:

    The trainees were encouraged to diversify their skills by trying something new.


  4. functional / ˈfʌŋk ʃə nl / (adj) – designed to have a practical use
    Example:

    He designed the furniture to be more functional than visually appealing.


  5. augment / ɔgˈmɛnt / (v) – to make something greater or larger by adding to it
    Example:

    Our company offers extra money for needs like transportation to augment our salary.


Article

Read the text below.

Lido Learning, an Indian EdTech start-up, is planning to recruit senior citizens to teach science, math, and English for online classes.


The company observed an exponential increase in enrollments since the beginning of the pandemic. To accommodate the surge in new students, it intends to hire more senior citizens and retired professionals. Sahil Sheth, Lido Learning founder and CEO, believes that retirees with more than 20 years of experience will add to the company’s pool of experts in different fields and diversify Lido Learning’s teaching base.


Sheth said that senior tutors are capable and knowledgeable because of their experience with many students over the years as well as their own children and grandchildren. Because of their experience, the senior tutors can help the company achieve its vision of providing functional and interactive online classes.


According to Sheth, the company will offer a five-day online teaching training to senior citizens who wish to become tutors. The training aims to equip potential tutors with the necessary skills and knowledge for online teaching.


Tutors can choose their timeslots and facilitate up to 50 one-hour classes a month.


Lido Learning believes that this initiative will give retirees and senior citizens the opportunity to augment their retirement funds while fulfilling their passion for teaching. A tutor for Grade 6 math and science said that after 17 years of experience teaching in schools, he decided to join the company to spend his retired life teaching online. Another tutor shared that he applied to explore his passion for teaching kids while at home.


Within the next few months, Lido Learning aims to hire more than 500 senior citizens as tutors.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• In your opinion, how are senior citizen tutors different from younger tutors (e.g. teaching style, knowledge on certain subjects)? Explain.
• Should online learning companies set an age limit for tutors? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Do you think retirees who want to work again should take jobs similar to their former careers? Why or why not?
• Do you think that senior citizen employees should receive incentives (e.g. special health benefits) that younger employees are not entitled to? Why or why not?