|
How were the courses developed and what material is used?
All course material is original and is not available anywhere else in the world. It uses the ‘Leira Method’ which was developed by Company founder Cristina Leira during her fifteen years as a linguist both abroad and in the United States.
Why do intensives require 6-8 hours per day? That’s a long time to be sitting in a classroom.
This may sound like a lot, but time goes by quickly. You participate and interact with the trainer and other students throughout the day stepping into various scenarios and quick-paced high pressure situations. Each one-hour-self contained module includes a ten minute break so that you have a chance to relax and integrate what you have learned.
Why do intensives work?
The reason intensives work is because the more concentrated and intense the repetition, the more you push your limits and lower your mental barriers. This allows learning to take place. You are forced to let go of your language prejudices and false beliefs such as “I’m not good at languages” or “I am too old to learn a language” and this allows the mind to open up to new learning. In addition, the problem with learning a language in one to two hour increments a few times a week is that the brain keeps going back to your native tongue for long stretches thus reducing new language retention and taking extra time each session to shift back to thinking in the new language.
Is there much writing?
There is some writing, but the initial focus is on listening, speaking and reading. When learning a foreign language, writing is the skill you learn last. We follow the natural language acquisition process, by which you first learn to listen, then to speak, then to read and finally to write.
Is it expensive?
It may seem expensive in the beginning, but how much money and time have you spent on high school and college language courses and foreign language books, tapes and tutoring and you still can’t communicate effectively with a native speaker? If you want results in a short period of time, the ‘Leira Method’ is for you. A wise person once said… “The bitterness of poor quality remains longer after the sweetness of low price is forgotten…”
What proof do you have of results?
Company founder Cristina Leira developed and honed her Method’ while she worked for the US Special Forces. 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. The results you will get , however, are a direct result of the time and energy you put into the course. We give our 100%, but you must give us your 100%. The harder you push yourself the closer you will be to a key breakthrough in which you are actually thinking in the target language rather than translating the language in your head.
What makes you unique?
LBW training gives the student an immediate ability to communicate in the target language starting with a general knowledge of sentence structure, the sound system and the ability to speak and interact using basic phrases and greetings. This creates a foundation on which to build student confidence and successes thus promoting further learning. ‘Real life’ vocabulary and situational role-plays are used to help students integrate and practice what they have learned. The training is extremely fast paced and intense and takes you out of your comfort zone to levels you would never imagine you were capable of attaining.
How is the 'Leira Method’ different from traditional methods?
Traditional methods are primarily geared for those students interested in pursuing an academic degree or language related career. They focus on grammatical perfection and vocabulary that doesn’t necessarily reflect real life usage. As we become a more and more globalized society, the need for language and communication skills no longer lies with the few who have chosen it as a field of study. It is becoming more and more evident that current language acquisition methods are not meeting the needs of today’s new millennium world. At Leira...Beyond Words LLC we provide quick results and language skills that can be used in the practical situations you will most likely encounter as you deal with people from other cultures.
How are instructors selected and trained?
All Leira...Beyond Words LLC instructors are handpicked using a highly selective method which is based not only on their language proficiency but also on their professionalism, character, commitment to cultural awareness, education and desire to serve. They are personally trained by Company founder Cristina Leira in the 'Leira Method'. This extremely intense Instructor Seminar provides them with all the tools they need to become highly effective and empowered language instructors.
|
