About Practical English Academy
Helping international students bridge the gap between classroom English and real-world communication.
Our Story
Practical English Academy was founded in 2025 by Taylor Lidstone, a teacher with strong ties to the International Student community. He noticed that students who had learnt English for work or academic purposes often found it difficult to navigate common situations.
Taylor recognised that traditional language learning focused too much on grammar and written exercises, and not enough on practical, everyday English skills.
With this in mind, he set out to develop a program that would bridge the gap between classroom English and real-world communication.
Our Mission
At Practical English Academy, our mission is to empower international students with the real-world English skills they need to succeed academically, professionally, and socially.
We believe that language learning should be practical, immersive, and tailored to each student's specific needs and goals. By taking students beyond the classroom and emulating real-life scenarios, we help them develop not just language skills, but also the confidence to use English effectively in any situation.
Our innovative approach combines traditional language instruction with immersive acted experiences, where students practice their skills through acting in the environments where they'll actually need to use them.
Our Core Values
Practical Learning
We focus on teaching English skills that students can immediately apply in their daily lives, creating immediate value and confidence.
Cultural Inclusion
We celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our students and create a supportive community where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Continuous Innovation
We constantly develop new teaching methods and programs to address the evolving needs of international students in today's global environment.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Emma Chen
Founder & Director
Former international student with a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and 15 years of ESL teaching experience.
Michael Rodriguez
Head of Curriculum
Specialist in communicative language teaching with expertise in developing practical, scenario-based learning materials.
Sarah Thompson
Lead Instructor
CELTA-certified instructor with experience teaching in 5 countries and specialized training in accent reduction.
Raj Patel
Student Success Coordinator
Former international student who now helps others navigate the challenges of English immersion and cultural adjustment.
Our Impact
Students Helped
Countries Represented
Improved Confidence
Years of Excellence
Our University Partners
Ready to Improve Your Practical English?
Join our community of international students and gain the confidence to navigate any English conversation.