The School of Practical Skills (SoPS) is comprised of experienced journalists, anchors, theatre and media personalities with a combined experience of over 100 years. If you’re looking for somebody to train and mentor you, to level up your performative presence, look no further. We use innovative teaching methods to help you discover your personal brand, speaking style, and unique strengths. Through a series of fun exercises, we’ll help you unlock your potential as an effective communicator.
We’ve worked with some great companies
At SoPS we use a training methodology that is an ideal mix of theoretical lessons and practical exercises. We use real-life examples, current events and topical issues to help you articulate your thoughts with clarity, conciseness and conviction.
The pedagogical philosophy of The School of Practical Skills is – Learn it today, Use it Tomorrow. We’ll help you create and sustain immediate and long-term improvements in your performative speech abilities.
We have a group of highly qualified trainers led by our chief trainer, Suresh Venkat. Our trainers are experienced business journalists, voice artists, theatre actors and radio professionals. Our trainers are practitioners of their individual crafts.
Suresh Venkat is a communications trainer, presenter, actor and anchor, with over 25 years of experience in news and entertainment across television, digital and radio. Suresh has trained dozens of CXOs, news anchors, radio presenters and students in the art of effective communication. Suresh is a graduate of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. He is currently the host of www.readytomelt.com and ET Startup School on www.etplay.com
Ashish (Jaggu) Jagtiani is a business journalist, podcaster, columnist and playwright. He is one half of the famous ‘Jaggu & Tarana’ radio host duo on Radio One94.3 FM. With over 25 years of media experience, Jaggu has been a radio anchor for both business and entertainment shows, a financial journalist with Bloomberg UTV, a podcaster with Bookmyshow.com and a columnist with Vogue, Hindustan Times, Mid-Day and others.
Faezeh is the Founder and Artistic Director of the theatre collaborative, FATS TheArts, Mumbai. She is an award-winning theatre actor, director, and writer, as well as a teacher, kalaripayattu practitioner and choreographer. She has written and directed several well acclaimed plays, like, Shikhandi-The Story of the Inbetweens, 07/07/07, Bone of Contention, Strictly Unconventional and Afterlies, among others. Faezeh has 15+ years of teaching experience with both children and adults. She also conducts theatre workshops for all ages. She has a BA, an MFA and a Diploma in Kalaripayattu. She’s very cool. Ask anyone. (And in case you’re wondering, her name is pronounced “Foy-zay”)
Pablo is a film-maker, photographer and automotive & lifestyle journalist. With over 20 years of combined experience in these fields, he is currently the editor of Motoring World, one of India’s first automotive publications. Having dealt closely with senior executives in the automotive and lifestyle industries for years, Pablo has a unique insight into the techniques of media interactions and public speaking, as well as the art and craft of writing effective press releases. He’s also an amateur blues guitarist, cook and mixologist.
Tarana is a communications trainer & performer on Radio, Film, Television & Stage. With over 25 years of experience, Tarana is one half of the famous ‘Jaggu & Tarana’ radio host duo. As an actor, she’s been an integral part of hugely popular shows like Bade Achhe Lagte hain, and Kasautii Zindagi Kay and in movies like Pyar Ke Side Effects and Karthik Calling Karthik. Her TV appearances include chat shows on Zoom, Zee Music, CNBC Awaaz and Doordarshan. Tarana is currently in a Zee5 Webseries called Frontpage & a theatre production called Pink is the New Black.
Urvashi is a sports and lifestyle journalist and TV presenter, who’s reported from the heart of India’s cricketing action, covering epic matches and the IPL. She’s also been the face of all the bollywood buzz on Zoom TV. With over a decade of experience in broadcasting and events, she decided to trade the hustle of India for the vibrant streets of Berlin. In Germany, she’s taken on the role of training corporates in English communication by day and leading yoga sessions in the city’s heart by night. Oh, and when it comes to cooking, let’s just say she’s better off ordering in!
Ankit Vengurlekar is a communications trainer, content creator, and personal brand consultant for CXOs. An award-winning journalist with over 20 years in media, Ankit has trained dozens of students, digital journalists, and video content creators. He’s a keen technology observer with interests in generative AI, Crypto, Web3, and productivity tools. Ankit is also a mindfulness coach and a trained Yoga teacher.
Radhika is an accomplished bilingual business journalist, live event host and branded content creator. Over the last 20+ years, she has worked for and with leading Indian and global news organizations like Aaj Tak, Times Now, Bloomberg, Reuters and China Global Television. Her expertise spans from stock markets to entrepreneurship to lifestyle trends. She has hosted events and helped build brand narratives for businesses like Accenture, JSW, Spotify and TAFE. And, she’s also helped build the fact-checking ecosystem for news content in India. Radhika is a Journalism Honours Graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi.
Prerna Chawla is an acclaimed actor, voice-over artist and speech trainer. She has worked extensively on stage, television and film with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Zoya Akhtar and Rajit Kapur. You might have seen her in Made in Heaven, Piku and Maamla Legal Hai. You might also have seen her on stage in Twelve Angry Jurors, The Father and Dekh Behen (which she co-directed). She has voiced dozens of commercials and dubbed for various web shows on Amazon Prime and Netflix. And to keep things spicy, she runs a pickle making company called Pickle-Shickle, which she co-founded. Obviously, you’ll get to try some of her pickles, if you choose to train with us.
Preeti is an educator and practitioner of creative pedagogies who brings together her experience across media, education, and the social sector. After 15 years in broadcast journalism with Network18, Times Now, and UTV, she transitioned to the social sector, focusing on education and child welfare. She was the Founding Director at Ahvaan Trust, where she continues to serve as a Board Member, and later worked as Chief Operating Officer at Catalysts for Social Action, an organisation that supports children and young adults in alternative care. Preeti holds a Master’s in Education from Azim Premji University and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Creative Pedagogies from Leeds Beckett University.
