Communicate confidently
Build cultural competence
and soft skills
Strengthen academic skills
Skills You'll Build
We tailor our offerings for those who want individual tutoring to those who would like
to attend bespoke classes. We offer tutoring and classes online or in-person the Chicago metro area.
General English Skills
We have extensive experience in classroom and one-on-one instruction in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at all levels of ability. Some specialist subjects include:
vocabulary building
pronunciation and natural speech
phrasal verbs and idiomatic language
managing AI use
Professional and Cultural Skills
Having trained professionals in industry and academia, we know how to help you achieve workplace success. We also know that culture can be challenging, so we spend a lot of time helping you build knowledge to work especially with US and UK cultural situations. Specialist areas include:
presentation skills
conducting and participating in meetings
socializing at work
phone skills
business communication
DEI-related understanding
We've worked with countless students over decades in private tutoring, intensive English programs, community colleges, and university settings. We know the challenges students face when studying in another language. Areas of specialization include:
academic writing and research
teaching skills for Teaching Assistants
navigating AI and critical thinking
editing and proofreading work
CEFR
IELTS test preparation (from former IELTS Examiners)
Academic and IELTS Skills
Meet your lead instructor:
Jen Wilson-Farley, MEd. TESOL, CELTA
It has been my passion to work with students in the US and UK for 20 years. I bring a wealth of professional experience that is woven into my teaching due to starting out in publishing as a book editor and author, as well as working in-house as an instructional designer for Renaissance Learning, a major educational technology company.
I have taught and tutored in Intensive English Programs, Continuing Studies, Community Colleges, and most recently at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Lecturer. I also spent five years as an IELTS Examiner and have written ESL books for Collins ELT. Having taught over 90 nationalities, in recent years, I have specialized in working with undergraduates, graduate students (international TAs), visiting scholars, and professionals in academic writing and research, presentation skills, teacher training, and culture/soft skills. I have enjoyed great relationships with my students over the years.
In my instructional design work, I have created everything from bespoke teacher training courses for organizations such as the International Baccalaureate Schools and Cambridge ELT. I love to create course content that is creative, flexible, and effective.
From time to time, I work with other ESL professionals, bringing them into Mezzo to co-teach and act as experts in various areas of importance to our students.
Above all, I try to instill a sense of confidence in my students. Living life in another language is brave, and I love to help students see and come into their superpower. Most native English speakers have no idea what you have gone through and what it takes to function well in another language.
Management training
Learn more about how to better support your non-native English speaking staff and clientele.
+1-312.719.0371
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