About Leap Lingo
What do you do and why do you do it?
The Leap Lingo platform uses the latest academic and technology tools, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and a proven curriculum to help English language learners improve their global opportunities. Learning a new language is no different than learning how to ride a bike or playing the piano. It is important for English language learners to have access to the tools needed to succeed including an appropriate skill level curriculum, clear goals, and instructional support, as well as a forum for the practical application of knowledge.
In addition, learner motivation is important and plays a key role in the rate of learning. Learner motivation can be used to predict performance in both an academic and real world context. Leap Lingo recognizes that each individual and company may have a different learning style and goals for the future. Thus, before getting started with any type of instructional support, we do a thorough analysis of your learning styles, current and future goals, as well as review previous English language instruction to formulate the best possible plan to move forward.
What was your inspiration/motivation to get started?
I’m Gabriel McCrary, founder and CEO of Leap Lingo LLC. I graduated from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, with a B.A. in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Education, M.Ed, from Southeastern University. I also served in the United States Air Force/Guard Reserves as a weather forecaster briefing aviation pilots, and trained troops as a defense contractor. All of these experiences taught me the importance of quality education and how a strong educational foundation can be used as an advantage and often is an indicator of success in a real-world context.
My background in the field of English as Second Language instruction began in 2007 when I worked in South Korea. I worked for YBM Education, a major English Language instructional company and other educational institutions. I have experience instructing a variety of different age groups and abilities including: government officials, business executives, kindergarten through university aged students and teaching English to orphans. I have taught a variety of styles of instruction including traditional classroom instruction, role playing and situational themed classes, and small group online seminars.
It has always been a joy to witness students achieve success as well as develop a skill set that will last a lifetime. Language learning students are often highly motivated and instructors can notice improvements quickly because of the high rate of motivation. Leap Lingo was started to create a platform for learning and growth for ESL learners regardless of their location and ability. Personalized content as well as individual instruction is needed for language learners, including adult learners, who may not have the structure or learning resources that a traditional school system provides.
Who would benefit from the service you provide?
The ideal customer would be anyone of any age and ability who is an English as Second Language learner. We can offer support online or in-person instruction. We can also provide customized curriculum instruction to match the student’s learning style and future goals. Leap Lingo recognizes that each student may have a different learning style and priority for the future. Thus, before getting started with any type of instructional support, we do a thorough analysis of your learning styles and current and future goals, as well as review previous English language instruction to formulate the best possible plan to move forward.
Tell us about one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your work and how you overcame/are tackling it.
One of the biggest challenges has been working with students from different time zones around the planet. This has brought more awareness regarding time zone differences between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and best times to communicate with individuals in multiple locations. I like to ask what is the best time to call or video conference a student who lives internationally and notate that on a calendar. Thus, I have a record regarding what is the ideal time to reach out to them.
What are your hopes for your business? Where do you see it five years from now?
Leap Lingo is a place where language learners can come to enjoy learning and be themselves in a supportive environment. In addition, the impact on families is especially high in the field of English language learning, as a child may often help the parents learn a new language as well. The learning and knowledge shared in a language learning environment can often multiply and create a generational approach to learning. Please give us a call at (917) 387-0170 to get started.
Where can people go to support your business?
Website: www.leaplingo.com Email: info@leaplingo.com
CEO BIO
Gabriel McCrary, founder of Leap Lingo, is an award winning educator with 15 years experience in the field of education and online learning. He is a military veteran, educator and entrepreneur who believes in the importance of consistency and structure in learning, not just in the classroom but in a real world context.
Gabriel McCrary graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in political science, and later, from Southeastern University with a Master's Degree in Education (M.Ed.) where his final cumulative GPA was 3.95.
Since 2003, Gabriel has been teaching in the United States, and internationally. For 4 years he worked for YBM Education, one of South Korea’s biggest education companies based in Seoul, South Korea. He also taught at a South Korean National University where he was voted by his students as the #1 professor in his department four consecutive times over a period of two years. Also, he has trained and briefed US military and South Korean government officials, one of the founders of Asia’s biggest online global education platform VIP Kid, and briefed a former United States Secretary of Commerce regarding online protocols in education.
Other ports of call and travels for Gabriel include travel to international destinations such as Mexico, St. Maarten’s, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Fuquoqua, Japan; Vancouver, Canada and London and Oxford, England.
A military veteran, from 2002 to 2007, Gabriel served in the United States Air Force/Guard Reserves as a combat meteorologist, where his military duties included briefing aviation pilots, and training troops as a defense contractor which involved several international training themed training scenarios.
Other interests of Gabriel are the Foreign Exchange Market (FOREX) and following the global interconnections of the trade and commerce markets. He is also interested in issues of equitable education, online learning and is a supporter of the Seattle Seahawks.
Hobbies and Awards
During his master's degree program, Gabriel designed a seminar on leadership, this project was the event that heightened his interest in the field of leadership and was to become one of his favorite topics to instruct and explore. If one is looking for Gabriel when he is not at work, pre-March, 2020, they would find him doing workouts in the gym, or now , outside in nature, walking.