Aparna Mulberry: The Secret to Learning English Isn't Fluency, It’s Confidence (Founder - Speeki AI, American Educator, 938K Followers)

Aparna Mulberry Interview

"Absolutely—being multilingual is not just an advantage, it's a fact that it opens up more opportunities in life; whether it's career growth, promotions, migration, or personal dreams."

Q. You’ve been living in Kerala for 17 years—what first brought you to this part of the world, and what made you stay?

My journey to Kerala began because of my parents. Interestingly, they met in India—my mom is from Chile and my dad is from the U.S., and both were spiritual seekers looking to deepen their lives through yoga and meditation. They came to India on separate paths, met here, and eventually got married before moving back to the U.S., where I was born.

However, they always felt a strong pull to return to India. After a few years of trying, we finally moved to Kerala when I was three years old. I was raised in Mata Amritanandamayi Devi's ashram and studied at Amrita Vidyalayam in Pudiyakkavu from first to tenth standard. Before that, I attended Vivekananda Central School for UKG.

Growing up in Kerala was a beautiful experience filled with amazing memories. I was the only white kid in school, which actually motivated me to learn Malayalam quickly. I learned the language through immersion—being surrounded by it at school and with friends made it a natural process.

After completing the tenth standard, I moved back to the U.S. for high school and university. But my connection to Kerala remained strong. My mother continued to live in the ashram, and I returned every summer to visit. I stayed in touch with my friends and the community here.

Eventually, in 2022, I was invited to participate in Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 4, just as the world was emerging from the pandemic. I packed my bags and came back to Kerala. One opportunity led to another, and I decided to stay. I now live in Kochi, and it’s been nearly three years since I’ve made it my home once again.

Q. How did your journey as an English teacher evolve into launching Speeki AI? What inspired the creation of this platform?

I've always carried this natural "English teacher" vibe. Even back when I was in school, my teachers would often turn to me for English-related questions. Over the years, that informal role transformed into a professional path. Although I pursued a major in Business, I also completed a minor in Education and earned a Teaching English as a Second Language certification.

My teaching journey took me across the globe—I taught in Thailand and Chile, and then spent nearly five years teaching English to students in China through online platforms. 

Eventually, I was offered a chance to teach English in Kerala. I accepted immediately—it felt like a way to give back to a place that shaped me. Kerala taught me Malayalam, which remains my favorite language, and gave me so many formative experiences. That led to the launch of English Padikyam with Inverted Coconut in 2021, during the COVID pandemic.

Initially, I partnered with another agency, but I quickly realized that to teach with true impact and instill real confidence in my students, I needed full creative control. I wanted to build my own curriculum and create a space where language learning wasn’t just about grammar—but also about culture, lifestyle, and confidence. So, in October 2024, I launched Speeki AI Language Academy in Kochi.

We started online, offering spoken English, German from A1 to B2, and exam prep for IELTS, OET, and PTE. What sets us apart is that we offer spoken German, which no other institute was offering at the time, and we ensure that native speakers teach each language—I'm the native English speaker from the U.S., and Clara, our lead German instructor, is from Germany.

We not only teach language but also integrate cultural insights to help students transition smoothly if they’re planning to move abroad. German, in particular, is in high demand, so we designed an intensive eight-month program from A1 to B2, with in-person classes now running at our Kochi center near Pathadipalam, Edapally. We just launched our third in-house batch, and the response has been incredible.

But my dream goes beyond Speeki. I want Kerala to be known for confident, fluent speakers—where seeing "Kerala" on a résumé automatically signals excellent communication skills. Unfortunately, that’s not yet the reality due to systemic gaps in school curricula. So, I’ve started working on a pilot project to bring spoken English into school-level education in Kerala, ensuring students graduate fluent and confident.

Q. Do you think being bilingual (or multilingual) gives people an edge in today’s world? How has speaking Malayalam shaped your approach to teaching English?

Absolutely—being multilingual is not just an advantage, it's a fact that it opens up more opportunities in life. Whether it's career growth, promotions, migration, or personal dreams, people who can speak confidently in more than one language naturally have an edge. Language is power.

Children especially pick up languages faster because their brains are like sponges. That’s why I strongly advocate for introducing additional languages—especially English—from a young age. 

But at the same time, I encourage migrant parents not to abandon their mother tongue. I often see Malayali parents abroad speaking only English to their children, and sadly, the kids grow up unable to speak Malayalam. I receive messages all the time from Malayalis raised overseas who say I speak better Malayalam than them, and they wish they had been raised with the language.

Knowing more than one language—English, Malayalam, Hindi, or any other—broadens your worldview and your opportunities in today's global economy. Personally, knowing Malayalam changed my life. It opened countless doors for me and was a major reason I could build a career here in Kerala.

As a teacher, learning another language myself made me more empathetic and effective. I know the challenges firsthand, and that helps me teach in a way that truly supports my students’ journey.

Q. What are some of the most common mistakes or fears you see among people learning English, and how do you help them overcome those?

The most common issue I see across all my students is a lack of confidence in speaking. Many of them have learned to read and write English, but when it comes to speaking, they hesitate. This isn't due to a lack of knowledge—it’s the fear of being judged for making mistakes that holds them back.

At Speeki, we don’t follow a traditional fluency-first curriculum. Instead, we focus on building confidence first. I believe—and have seen it proven—that confidence leads to fluency, not the other way around. When students feel safe and empowered to speak, they naturally start correcting their mistakes through practice and feedback.

In our classrooms, we celebrate mistakes because they are essential for growth. The more students speak, the more they improve. 

Confidence gives them the courage to take opportunities, whether it’s a classroom discussion or a job interview. Often, a confident speaker—even with a few errors—makes a stronger impression than someone fluent but hesitant.

This confidence-based approach is what truly sets Speeki apart. It’s not just a method—it’s a mindset shift, and we’re proud to be leading with it.

Q. What’s your message to those who think they’re “too old” or “too shy” to become fluent in a new language?

At Speeki, I’ve taught students as young as four and as old as ninety. The truth is, language learning isn’t about age—it’s about mindset. The biggest barrier I see is not a lack of ability, but a lack of confidence. 

Many learners have been taught that making mistakes is something to be ashamed of, which creates fear around speaking. My approach is different: at Speeki, we celebrate mistakes as part of the learning journey.

That’s why our curriculum is confidence-based, not fluency-based. We use gamified learning, fun app features like Speeki Talk and Speeki Pronounce, and engaging live sessions to create a safe, fun space for students to speak freely and consistently.

But motivation matters too. After teaching over 32,000 students—mostly Malayalis across the world—I’ve noticed two kinds of learners: those who show up, practice, review notes, and use the tools we provide, and those who don’t. The dedicated students always progress faster.

My message is: if you’re ready to commit, it’s never too late. Just make this the last time you invest in learning a language. Come prepared with the mindset to show up, participate, and give it your best. With that fire inside, fluency will follow—no matter your age or how shy you feel today.

Q. Finally, what’s one Malayalam phrase or idiom that perfectly captures your connection to Kerala or your life journey so far?

'Naattil pattiya mulappilli'

Literal meaning: “A sprout that took root in this land.”
Why it’s perfect for me:
I wasn't born in Kerala, but I grew up here.

I learned the language, culture, and mannerisms — not to mimic, but to belong and to honor. And now, I'm giving back — as someone deeply rooted, not just visiting. I'm not just living in Kerala — I sprouted here, and that’s different.

Bio

Aparna Mulberry is a Malayalam-speaking American educator, entrepreneur, and digital creator who has become a beloved name in Kerala and beyond. Best known for her fluency in Malayalam and her relatable, uplifting content, Aparna is the founder of Speeki AI Language Academy, an English learning academy that focuses not just on language skills but on building confidence.

Having spent much of her childhood in Kerala, Aparna blends Western teaching methods with cultural sensitivity, helping over 32,000 students worldwide—mostly Malayalees—gain the courage to speak English without fear of judgment. 

She became a household name after appearing on Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 4, and she continues to inspire learners through her fun, gamified classes, community clubs, and mindset-focused coaching.

Through Speeki AI, Aparna is not just teaching English—she’s helping people find their voice.

Follow Aparna on Instagram

Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose