About Lisa – Real Life English for Real People

Lisa, ESL teacher and founder of Real Life English, smiling and seated in a relaxed setting.
Lisa helps adult learners build confidence, fluency, and real-world English skills—one lesson at a time.

Hi, I’m Lisa—a lifelong educator and a firm believer that language isn’t just something you learn, it’s something you live.

For over 20 years, I taught high school in the Chicago suburbs as a special education teacher. I worked with incredible students—many of whom faced not just learning challenges, but language barriers as well. Over time, I saw a pattern: brilliant, capable learners who couldn’t fully express themselves simply because English got in the way.

That realization stayed with me. After retiring from the classroom, I decided it was time for a change—something that still let me teach, but in a way that built a bridge between people’s goals and their ability to communicate.

Today, I teach English as a second language, focusing on adult learners from around the world. My goal is simple: to help you speak and understand English with more confidence, clarity, and ease in real-life situations.

About Lisa – My Teaching Background

  • Bachelor’s degree in Special Education
  • Master’s in Educational Leadership & Administration
  • Endorsements in Teaching English as a Second Language and Social Studies
  • TEFL Certified (University of Toronto, OISE – 150-hour program with Business English and Test Prep specializations)
  • 2 years of online ESL/EFL teaching experience
  • 20+ years of real-world classroom experience

What You Can Expect in My Lessons

  • Fluency & Confidence – Lessons that help you speak naturally, not just correctly
  • Personalized Support – I meet you where you are, with materials that match your level, goals, and learning style
  • Real-World Practice – Whether you’re preparing for an exam, a new job, or just everyday conversation, we’ll focus on what matters most to you.

I know what it’s like to feel stuck—and how powerful it is to finally be understood. That’s what I offer: lessons that don’t just teach English, but help you use it to move forward.

Curious about how my sessions work? Explore my one-on-one lessons here.

Let’s Connect

Let’s learn together—one real-life lesson at a time.