This method is based on:

THE STUDY OF GRAMMAR “… BEYOND GRAMMAR”: A simple linguistic approach that involves learning the “rules of the game” of the native language. This provides a structure in which to build a foundation for language acquisition.

THE LEARNING PROCESS ”…BEYOND WORDS”: The learning process uses all five senses plus an intensive study of the conscious and subconscious mind to promote positive patterns and to help students overcome mental barriers that inhibit the acquisition of foreign languages.

CREATIVITY “... BEYOND LIMITATIONS”: An innovative new concept in language training that provides tailor-made programs adapted to customer needs, with a focus on subject-matter vocabularies and activities that recreate real work scenarios.

The ‘Leira Method’ was developed by Company founder Cristina Leira during her fifteen years as a linguist both abroad and in the United States and has proven results. Navy Seals who took her nine-week course tested higher on the Defense Language Proficiency Test than similar students on the West Coast taking an 18-week course

Cristina Leira, founder of Leira…Beyond Words LLC, was born and raised in Argentina where she received the following graduate degrees: Teacher of English and French as a Foreign Language in all levels of education, and Public Translator and Interpreter. She is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English and French, with advanced skills in Italian and Portuguese. She moved to the United States in 1996 and received the Certification of Teacher of English as a Second Language and a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Old Dominion University. She also holds an International Masters in Neurolinguistic Programming.

She worked at Naval Special Warfare Commands (NSWC) as an instructor of Spanish and French and was later promoted to the position of Head of the Language Program for NSWC Group TWO and Group FOUR, NSWC Development Group, NSWC Unit TWO (Germany), Unit FOUR (Puerto Rico), Unit TEN (Spain). In that capacity, she was responsible for responding immediately to all language service needs in whatever language was required. During her tenure services were requested and provided in Pashto, Dari, Standard Arabic, Iraqi, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian and Greek. Language services included, but were not limited to setting up immersions both in and out of country, developing curriculum and delivering specialized language training tailor-made to NSWC needs. She also supervised and oversaw the delivery of translation and interpretation services.

As Head of the Language Program she recruited, trained, and screened instructors for the various local and overseas NSWC. She supervised all project personnel, conducted performance evaluations, and implemented quality control measures.  She provided reports and presentations to government supervisors regarding program progress, evaluation and final testing results.