MSI Press Blog

  Dr. Betty Lou Leaver, MSI Press author and managing editor of MSI Press, recently co-edited a book, Open Architecture Curricular Design in World Language Education , with Andrew Corin and Christine Campbell, to be published by Georgetown University Press in July 2025. The book is currently on pre-order. Reviews "This groundbreaking volume productively combines theory and practice. Through engaging examples, author-practitioners demonstrate that open architecture curricular design is both effective and feasible. They show how OACD principles—learner agency, instructor mentorship, flexibility, and focus on authentic materials—can be implemented at all levels of language instruction and program design."—Karen Evans-Romaine, professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison "Corin, Leaver, and Campbell's volume provides readers with an extraordinary introduction to open architecture curricular design (OACD). The volume is extremely helpful for language instructors, program di

Excerpt from  100 Tips and Tools for Managing Chronic Illness  (Charnas) -- Tip #2 (Oh, Say) Every Wednesday I flex my work schedule and arrive at 8:00 a.m. at the Naval Hospital where I’m employed. I should be sitting at my desk by eight o’clock, but more often than not, I’m running a few minutes late, scurrying across the large medical complex toward my office. Each morning the national anthem plays over the loudspeaker at oh-eight hundred. Protocol requires all people outdoors to cease what they’re doing and face the flag. Some of us stand at attention. Others salute. I like to place my hand over my heart. There are always two thoughts running through my mind at this time: “Darn, I’m going to be late again” and “This is so lovely, I should make an effort to do it every morning.” Standing at attention for the few minutes required to listen to the “Star Spangled Banner” serves as a reflective moment. It forces me to be still, pay attention, and remember the purpose of my day.   I’

  Now available from Kindle: audiobook edition of  Anger Anonymous  by Dennis Ortman. Book Description:  When you feel in the grip of anger, ask yourself these questions:  -Do you feel powerless to control your temper?  -Does your anger frighten you so much that you feel compelled to suppress it?  -Does your life feel unmanageable because of your anger? -Does your preoccupation with the unfairness of life and being wronged interfere with your happiness? -Do you feel hopeless about finding a cure for your temper? If you answer "yes" to these questions, you may be addicted to your anger. It acts like a drug that stimulates you, energizes you, and causes you to act insanely. Viewing your anger as an addiction, Dr. Ortman guides you through the time-tested Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to find healing and growth. He shows how the Steps offer practical wisdom to use the natural energy of your anger wisely and well, neither suppressing nor indulging it. The Steps provide gui

  Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star Tactics and Strategies   Making Errors Making Errors   Good learners make mistakes and errors. Lots of them. They are risk-takers, and risk-takers take missteps. An important difference between good learners and poor learners is that good learners embrace mistakes and learn from them whereas poor students are afraid to make mistakes, try to avoid them, generally make more from nervousness, and end up both speaking less and failing to develop good speaking skills. In gaining control over your mistakes, understanding the difference between mistake and error is critical. Mistakes occur when you produce something that is not correct by accident; you know how it should be said or written, but you experience a brain glitch so that out slips a misspelling, a wrong form, or a wrong word. Errors occur when you don’t know how something should be said or written, and you guess wrong. Both mistakes and errors are