Jaideep Tuli
Delivering a valedictory address comes naturally to Jaideep Tuli, who has been recognized for his motivational speaking work in his home country India. During his time at Saint Mary’s, Jaideep was vice-president of the university’s Halifax Toastmasters chapter. He feels quite at home in the spotlight whether he’s making speeches, reciting poetry, acting in theatre productions…or teaching a new language to students.
Jaideep is graduating with an International Master of Teaching English (IMTE) degree. He already manages his own educational institute JD IELTS Classes in his hometown of Karnal, in northern India’s Haryana province. He serves as a board member for the Dartmouth Learning Network and Halifax Theatre for Young People, and has volunteered with other local arts organizations such as FIN Atlantic International Film Festival. On campus, he volunteered with SMUSA’s Graduate Advisory Committee and The Language Centre, where he’s now working casually.
Amid his many talents and interests, poetry is his first love. He believes in the power of words to “live in the hearts of people while bringing love, joy, positivity and smiles to the world,” he says. Recognized as ‘Best Youth’ by the Indian Red Cross Society, he has received numerous awards and accolades for his poetry, writing, acting, public speaking and social activism.
Have you always spoken English yourself? No. I spoke Hindi at my school and I spoke Punjabi at my home and did a certificate course in Urdu language. I've learned English on my own by writing blogs and by reading, talking to people and just out of curiosity, by watching interviews.
Did you always want to be a language teacher? No, teaching came by accident to me, though my parents are teachers. My mother worked as a principal for 22 years at a charitable school and my father worked as a physical instructor. When I was a child I said, “No, I don't want to be a teacher.” I used to say I'll become a blogger or an actor, even an army officer.
Why did you choose to come to Halifax for our IMTE program? For me, the name Saint Mary’s was fascinating. I've been surrounded by spiritual people all my life so the word ‘Saint’ really caught my eye. Back home in India, I did my bachelor’s degrees in computer science and education, then fortunately got a job teaching English. I realized this is something I really want to do, and wanted some formal education for that. When I looked into the IMTE program at Saint Mary’s, it was exactly what I wanted. When I came here, it was even more than what I expected.
What have you gained through the IMTE program? I've learned so much from each of the instructors. I've learned how to listen effectively, how to be kind to your students and how to be receptive to different cultural considerations. I've learned how to make a lesson student-centered and how to be flexible in the classroom. And how to help international students be confident, even if they are just starting to learn English.
Do you have a favourite memory of your time at Saint Mary’s? One of my first times on campus, there was an event happening (Mawio’mi) that I wanted to explore. Mi’kmaq students were there with music and wearing costumes. I was wearing my turban so I looked totally different from all the people there. They were dancing and so I danced with them. They welcomed me in such a nice way. I love to try new experiences and learn new stories of life from different people.
What are you planning to do next? I’m applying to be a mentor with the EduNova Study and Stay™ program, so I'm looking forward to that. I'll keep doing more volunteer work and teaching English too. I’m always working on my @StraightFromHeart channel on YouTube, uploading my poetry videos. I hope to do some auditions for acting and I dream of writing a book too. Life is about telling stories and listening to stories in one way or another. Everything is a story. If you see carefully, there are stories all around you.
Watch Jaideep’s valedictory speech on January 27 at 7 p.m. via the convocation live stream. ·