Kaduthuruthi: Malayalam is spoken only by less than 4 crore people. Out of India it is just a word for the larger world or a long palindrome at best. Those non-speakers who have heard this Dravidian language or mingled with Malayalis often say it is tough to learn its rudiments, forget mastering it. But for this American woman, Malayalam is much more than that. She can not only read and write the language, but also teach it!
Elizabeth Keyton, or 'Elikutty' as she calls herself online, is teaching Malayalam to children at the Girls Upper Primary School at Muttuchira in Kerala's Kottayam district. She uses sketches and drawings to help learn the language. She introduces easy ways to learn the language.
Elizabeth has travelled the length of Kerala on her mission to make learning and teaching Malayalam easy. She uses the name 'Elikkutty' on her Instagram, YouTube and Facebook profiles created for the same purpose.
It took her two years to learn the language. Elizabeth worked as an English teacher in Ajman, Dubai, for four years. She has married a Malayali, Kochi native Arjun, last December.
School sessions are held in coordination with Art Academy Director Gurudath Sadanandan.
