Teach India - An Initiative by the Times of India

The Times of India is India's most-read English newspaper. The publication has a broad reach and is known for its advocacy campaigns. Several of its initiatives are aimed at making India a better place.

Teach India is a social initiative launched in 2008 by The Times of India that brings together children in need and volunteers willing to teach them. Volunteers are given a 50-hour training course in learner-centered teaching techniques and activities practiced through micro-teaching.

Initially, this program focused on imparting spoken English skills to underprivileged youth and has since expanded to include a range of programs, including primary education and storytelling. It is currently operating in Delhi and Mumbai with more than 1,000 volunteers.

It has helped tens of thousands of underprivileged children improve their spoken English. Many of these learners have found jobs at the end of their course. Scores of companies, such as Cafe Coffee Day, Bata, and PVR, have hired aspiring candidates from Teach India's pool.

The program aims to improve literacy levels nationwide and is designed to increase learners' employability and efficiency. At the end of each cycle, job fairs are organized for the learners, where they get to meet and interact with recruiters from various industries.

Students who have finished the program significantly increase their reading levels. They have also revealed 36% grade-level mastery in Math at the end of the year compared to 20% at the beginning.