leonardo reis

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Leonardo Reis is one of the most respected voices in language education for Brazilians and Portuguese speakers. With a trajectory marked by academic excellence, international engagement, and a deep social commitment, Leonardo has built a solid, inspiring, and impactful career.

Born in Brazil, adopted as a newborn in Belo Horizonte, and raised in São Paulo, Leonardo began his international journey in 1994 when he participated in a student exchange program in the United States. Since then, he has chosen the country as his permanent home. He currently resides in Manhattan, New York, where he leads educational projects that connect students from all over the world to English fluency.

His academic background includes a dual master’s degree in Linguistics and English Language Teaching from the prestigious University of Leeds (England ), along with specializations from Columbia University in the United States in areas such as Business English, Phonetics and Phonology in English, and Educational Technology. Leonardo also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Literature from UNI-BH in Brazil.

With more than two decades of teaching experience, he has taught at leading educational institutions in both Brazil and the United States. His professional journey includes positions at CCAA, Number One, UNI-BH, Zoni Language Center, New York Language Center, Montclair University, and Hudson College, always with a teaching approach focused on practice, cultural immersion, and linguistic excellence.

Leonardo’s authority in English language education is widely recognized. He is the author of the academic book "Sociolinguistic Aspects of Brazilian Portuguese: R Deletion," published in English and distributed through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Additionally, he has worked as a consecutive interpreter in high-responsibility and high-profile contexts, including sessions at the United Nations (UN), courts, hospitals, academic events, and bilingual conferences throughout the United States. His linguistic precision, technical expertise, and cultural sensitivity have made him a frequent choice in environments requiring excellence in cross-language communication. Leonardo has also worked as a reporter in New York for Record News, SBT, and Rede Brasil de Televisão, always focused on topics related to education, culture, and community.

Among his most notable accomplishments is the founding of the American English Academy, an English language school based in the United States that welcomes students from around the world through the F-1 international student visa, with a particular focus on those seeking linguistic excellence in a culturally immersive environment. Leonardo is also the creator of American English Experience, a 100% online course designed exclusively for Portuguese-speaking learners, which combines modern methodology, a focus on applied phonetics, and cutting-edge educational technology to deliver a practical, accessible, and transformative learning experience—regardless of the student’s geographic location.

His educational impact ranges from beginners to some of the most well-known figures in sports and entertainment. His clientele includes celebrities such as Arthur Aguiar, Neymar Jr., Cafu, Reinaldo Lima, Luciana Vendramini, César Menotti, Felipe Melo, Thaeme, Scheila Carvalho, Ariadna Arantes, and Lauana Prado, among other artists, athletes, and influencers.

Prestigious institutions such as the Federal Police of Brazil (FENAPEF); soccer clubs such as: Grêmio, Atlético-MG, Santos, Goiás, and Institutions and companies such as: Instituto Galo, and JR Diesel (Geraldo Rufino) have also entrusted Leonardo with the task of training their members in the most widely spoken language in global business.

In addition to being an educator and entrepreneur, Leonardo is a true agent of social transformation. He has donated more than 2,200 scholarships to young people and adults in vulnerable situations through partnerships with organizations such as the Brazilian Red Cross, Alliance of Mercy, Hope and Justice Foundation, and the Brazilian Consulate in Miami, among others.