Introducing Tannistha Dasgupta, a living symbol of life’s dynamic journey. Her life resembles like a river carving its way through landscapes, Tannistha’s career flows seamlessly, embracing each twist with grace and resilience. Her path—brimming with beauty, innovation, and impact—reflects a true commitment to transformative learning. With rich experience and a passion for creative teaching, Tannistha’s story is one of inspiration and evolution, inviting you to dive into her world.
Read on and be inspired.
What sparked your passion for academia, and how did you shape your professional path to reach where you are today?
What really sparked my passion for academia was my fascination with language and how it can bring people together across different cultures. I realized early on that language education is much more than just teaching someone to communicate—it’s about shaping how they think, how they see the world, and how they relate to others, especially across cultural boundaries. That realization really pushed me to dive deeper into English Language Teaching (ELT). The M.Phil and PhD programs really allowed me to dig into research, explore ELT more deeply, and refine my skills. One thing that’s been constant throughout my journey is my focus on blending theory with real-world application. I’ve always kept the learner’s experience at the core of what I do, whether it's in my teaching, research, or professional collaborations.
How does your diverse exposure to both Eastern and Western educational landscapes influence your personal growth and professional development?
Engaging with both Eastern and Western educational systems and presenting at international conferences has been a game-changer for me, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, it has broadened my perspective on how different cultures approach learning and teaching. I’ve observed more structured, traditional methods in the East and more flexible, student-centered approaches in the West. Each has its own strengths, and this exposure has allowed me to take what works best from each. Professionally, it has made me more adaptable. In intercultural settings, where students come from diverse backgrounds, I can blend teaching styles of both the sides to create an inclusive environment that engages everyone.
How did your experience at EFLU, a prominent university, influence your career and shape your future?
Being at a university that’s so well-known for its focus on languages and education really set the foundation for everything I’ve done since. The environment there, with such a diverse mix of students and faculty, also pushed me to think more globally. The research opportunities and exposure to different teaching methodologies at EFLU gave me the confidence to take on more complex projects and roles, both in academia and in my professional life. EFLU shaped not just my academic path but also how I approach teaching, research, and even everyday interactions in a more thoughtful and culturally sensitive way.
As a MOOC content developer, what should learners and educators focus on to maximize the impact of online education?
As a MOOC content developer, I believe both learners and educators need to focus on a few key areas to really maximize the impact of online education:
For learners, the biggest thing is self-discipline and engagement. Since online learning offers so much flexibility, it’s easy to get distracted. Learners should set clear goals and stick to a schedule. It’s not just about consuming content; active participation is what makes online learning effective. For educators, it’s all about designing content that is not only informative but also engaging and interactive. Online education isn’t just about transferring traditional lectures to a digital format—it’s about using the strengths of the online platform. Educators should focus on incorporating multimedia, real-world case studies, and opportunities for students to apply what they’re learning in practical ways. Keeping lessons short and digestible, and including elements like quizzes, polls, or discussions, helps maintain attention and deepen understanding.
What key advice would you give young teachers exploring Task-Based Language Teaching alongside other methods in their classrooms?
If you're a young teacher exploring Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) alongside other methods, my biggest piece of advice is to stay flexible and open-minded. TBLT is great because it focuses on real-world tasks and gets students actively using the language. But it’s important to remember that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Start small by introducing short tasks and gradually build up. Most importantly, be open to experimenting and adapting, as TBLT often brings unexpected, valuable learning moments. Stay observant and adjust as you go!
With your vast experience as a course developer, what key recommendations would you give to those designing 21st-century educational programs?
When designing 21st-century educational programs, it’s essential to keep the learner at the center. Education today goes beyond delivering content—it’s about creating engaging experiences that prepare students for the future. Integrating technology is key. We need to use interactive platforms, multimedia, or AI to make lessons more engaging and personalized, always with learning goals in mind. As educators we need to provide opportunities for students to tackle real-world tasks and projects where they can apply their knowledge. Flexibility is crucial, too—programs should accommodate different learning styles and paces, perhaps through blended learning or self-paced options. Besides, for developing skills like communication and teamwork in learners, courses should be designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and self-reflection.
If you had to choose a metaphor or image to describe your personal or professional journey, what would it be?
If I had to choose a metaphor to describe my journey, I’d say it’s like a river. It’s constantly flowing, adapting, and finding new paths around obstacles. Just like a river, there have been moments of calm and steady progress, and other times where I’ve had to navigate more challenging rapids.
Tannistha Dasgupta is working as a Senior Assistant Professor at VIT-AP University. She has developed content for UGC-MHRD sponsored MOOC Courses for SwayamPrabha channel. In 2024 and 2021, she was awarded the E-Teacher Scholarship for the OPEN Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In 2022, she has received English Language Centre Eastbourne Graham Smith Scholarship, awarded by IATEFL, UK. Currently, she is working with her research scholar on Input Processing Theory.
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