Lori's Language Lab

Lori's Language Lab I help professionals that have relocated to the US improve their English skills. I want to help give the authentic you a voice in English.

I specialize in the whole family, including spouses and have been helping individuals since 2014. My goal is to help you to improve your communication and relationships using the English language after you have relocated to the USA. I approach the process as a problem solver, finding out what you think will be of most benefit for you to learn. Many times we will have ESL lessons about conversation

s that you will have in specific areas of your life, such as interviews, building a house, or advocating for your child with disabilities. My philosophy on what it means to be fluent: You should strive to be the 'real you' in English. I would love to talk with you about private online English lessons to help you on your journey.

👂💼 Better Listening = Better Business ConversationsHave you ever left a meeting thinking:“I understood the English...but...
09/05/2026

👂💼 Better Listening = Better Business Conversations

Have you ever left a meeting thinking:

“I understood the English...but I'm not sure I understood what they wanted me to do.”

Workplace listening can be difficult even when your English is strong.

People talk quickly. They interrupt each other. They shorten words. They use expressions you didn't learn in a textbook.

And sometimes the most important part isn't the vocabulary at all.

It's recognizing:

👉 Is this a suggestion or a decision?
👉 Am I being asked to do something?
👉 Does this need to happen today or sometime this week?
👉 Does my coworker agree—or are they politely disagreeing?

Good listening isn't about understanding every word.

It's about understanding enough to know what happens next.

This week, we're going to practice some of the listening skills that can make workplace conversations a little easier.

👂 Stay tuned!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?Labor DayIf labor means work, why do so many people in the U.S. get the day OFF work on Labor Day? 🤔...
09/04/2026

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Labor Day

If labor means work, why do so many people in the U.S. get the day OFF work on Labor Day? 🤔

A. It celebrates the end of summer.
B. It honors American workers and their contributions.
C. It is a day for everyone to do work around their house.
D. It celebrates people starting a new job.

👇 What do you think? Choose your answer before reading on.

The answer is B!

Labor Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring American workers and the contributions they have made.

Today, many Americans also think of Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer. You might hear people talking about:

🌭 Cookouts and barbecues
🏊 One last summer weekend
🛍️ Labor Day sales
🏫 The beginning of the fall season

And here's something that can be confusing when you're learning about life in the U.S.:

Not everyone gets Labor Day off!

Many offices, schools, banks, and government offices close, while restaurants, stores, hospitals, hotels, and many other businesses may remain open.

🌎 Does your country have a holiday celebrating workers? What do you call it?

📣 FALL ENGLISH LESSONS ARE NOW SCHEDULING!Back-to-school season isn't just for the kids. 🎒Fall is a great time to get ba...
08/28/2026

📣 FALL ENGLISH LESSONS ARE NOW SCHEDULING!

Back-to-school season isn't just for the kids. 🎒

Fall is a great time to get back into a routine and start working on something you've been putting off for yourself.

At Lori’s Language Lab, we're now scheduling fall English lessons for adults and students.

Maybe your goal is to:

💬 Feel more comfortable in everyday conversations
💼 Communicate more confidently at work
🏫 Talk with teachers and other parents at your child's school
📝 Strengthen academic reading and writing
🗣️ Work on pronunciation and speaking
🌎 Feel more involved in your community

Our tutors have different specialties because our students have different needs. We'll help you find the tutor and lesson approach that fits what you want to be able to do in English.

📅 Fall scheduling is open now.

Send me a message and tell me what you'd like to work on this fall. We'll help you figure out the next step.

🌟 WEEKLY ENGLISH CHALLENGEHave you ever been reading an email, school notice, work message, or form in English and under...
08/25/2026

🌟 WEEKLY ENGLISH CHALLENGE

Have you ever been reading an email, school notice, work message, or form in English and understood most of it—but not quite enough to know what you should do?

This week, instead of guessing or asking someone else to handle it, ask for clarification yourself.

Try one of these:

💬 “Could you explain what this means?”

💬 “Just to make sure I understand, do I need to _____?”

💬 “I'm not sure I understand this part. Could you clarify?”

🎯 Your challenge: Use one of these phrases in a real situation this week.

Then think about what happened.

Did the person understand your question?
Did you get the information you needed?
Would it be easier to ask again next time?

Learning English isn't only about understanding everything the first time.

Knowing what to do when you DON'T understand is a language skill too.

👇 Come back and tell me how your challenge went!

08/24/2026

Live with Good NeighborPodcast.

💬 CONVERSATION STARTERYou don't always need an interesting or clever question to start small talk.Sometimes the easiest ...
08/24/2026

💬 CONVERSATION STARTER

You don't always need an interesting or clever question to start small talk.

Sometimes the easiest conversation starter is simply:

“How do you know everyone here?”

Try it at a party, community event, school gathering, networking event, or anywhere you're meeting people for the first time.

It works because the other person's answer gives you something to talk about next.

They might say:

“I work with Sarah.”

“Our kids go to school together.”

“I've been part of this group for a few years.”

And now you have somewhere to take the conversation!

🎯 Try it once this week.

The goal isn't to have the perfect conversation. It's to get comfortable starting one.

Would you use this question? What would you ask next?

08/23/2026

Watching the Texas Rangers at Kubota Days with my guy❤️

🗣️ WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?You're in a meeting and a coworker suggests an idea.You disagree, but you want to sound confident ...
08/23/2026

🗣️ WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

You're in a meeting and a coworker suggests an idea.

You disagree, but you want to sound confident and professional without sounding rude.

What would you say?

A. “No, I don't agree.”

B. “I understand your point, but I see it a little differently.”

C. Say nothing and talk to them after the meeting.

👇 Which would you choose? Decide before reading the answer.

The answer is B.

💬 “I understand your point, but I see it a little differently.”

In U.S. workplaces, being confident doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone—and it doesn't mean you have to be overly direct.

This phrase acknowledges the other person's idea while giving you a natural way to introduce your own perspective.

And here's something else to listen for:

Your coworkers probably aren't going to simply say “No” when they disagree with you either.

You may hear:

“I see what you're saying, but…”

“That's a good point. Another option might be…”

“I wonder if we could look at it another way.”

“We may want to consider…”

These can all be ways of saying “I don't completely agree” without actually saying the word no.

Understanding business English isn't just about knowing the vocabulary. It's also recognizing what people really mean by the way they say it.

What phrases have you heard coworkers use when they disagree?

💬 What does being confident in English mean to you?Does it mean…Speaking without making grammar mistakes?Knowing the rig...
08/21/2026

💬 What does being confident in English mean to you?

Does it mean…

Speaking without making grammar mistakes?

Knowing the right verb tense every time?

Understanding every word someone says?

Or could confidence look more like this?

You don't know the perfect word, but you keep talking.

You don't understand something, so you ask a question.

You make a mistake, but you don't let it end the conversation.

You have an idea in a meeting, and you decide to share it.

You start a conversation with someone new—even though you're a little nervous.

After years of working with English learners, I've learned that confidence doesn't necessarily come after your English becomes perfect.

Often, confidence grows because you start using the English you already have.

So I'm curious:

When would YOU be able to say, “I feel confident speaking English”?

What would you be able to do that you aren't comfortable doing today?

👇 Tell me in the comments.

🌟 Interested in Everyday Conversations in the Community?Knowing English is one thing. Feeling comfortable using it in ev...
08/21/2026

🌟 Interested in Everyday Conversations in the Community?

Knowing English is one thing. Feeling comfortable using it in everyday life is another.

I’m developing a small-group program where we’ll practice the conversations that come up in real life—meeting people, making plans, asking questions, shopping, navigating the community, expressing opinions, and more.

The goal is simple: more practice, more confidence, and more comfortable conversations. 💬

If this sounds like something you’d like to join, check out the link in the comments and let me know you’re interested.

You can also tell me whether a daytime or evening group would work better for you.

There’s no commitment yet—I’m gathering interest as we plan the first group!

Address

700 SW Fifth Avenue
Portland, OR
97204

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm

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