About Level Up English
Level Up English began as a podcast, formally called “The English with Michael Podcast“. The podcast started in 2018 as a way to provide English learners with listening practice and allow people to learn English in increasingly busy lives.
Since it began, the podcast has reached millions of people from all over the world, and we have hundreds of 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts.
I’m so grateful to all of you who tune in and listen regularly and keep this podcast going. I never expected it to get this far.
About the Membership
When the podcast started to grow, I wanted a way to continue doing what I loved while providing learners with more content.
I started “Level Up English Members” as a way for listeners to support the podcast, meaning I can keep doing it, but I also started creating lessons.
Today, the membership has grown and now has courses on writing, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and more! We also have group lessons which have become very popular for improving speaking skills and making friends!
About Michael
My name is Michael Lavers. I grew up in Cornwall, in the South West of the UK.
I love travel and exploring, but when I’m not doing that, I spend my time coaching learners from all around the world to help them achieve their English-language goals.
I’m currently learning Japanese 🇯🇵, Chinese 🇨🇳 and Cornish
Why I Began Teaching
In 2016, I went to Japan for the first time.
Confident and ready to use my Japanese that I had been studying for years before, I arrived at Tokyo airport.
Speaking to the airport security, the first words that came out of my mouth were something like “Arigefe gozmsus” (this definitely isn’t a word!)
Oh no! I couldn’t speak!!
Although I had studied for years, I have no confidence when it came to speaking. I spent 1 month in Japan feeling very shy and ashamed of my poor Japanese.
I returned home, dispirited, but found some great teachers and studied hard. I was determined to improve.
4 years later, I returned and spoke Japanese confidently every day!
I know what it’s like to lack confidence.
I know what it’s like to not feel good enough.
And I certainly know what it’s like to feel stuck in a language.
My passion is helping English learners (like you!) overcome these problems and reach your goals.
Any questions? I’d love to hear from you!
Email me: info (at) ewmichael.com