New York Times Writer Shares Experience with and Insight into Author of MSI Press"s Bestselling Book
Although Boris Shekhtman died several years ago, the sales of his book, How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately , continue to top MSI Press LLC charts. One reason for this may be that the book reflects his extraordinarily effective teaching methods, as attested to by journalists, diplomats, and others. In testimony to Boris, upon his death, NYT journalist, Sam Roberts, who studied with him, wrote a highly insightful column about Boris and his methods -- and one that is enjoyable to read. An oldie but goodie. Here is an excerpt: “The first time I met Boris he didn’t talk at all about language,” Lucian Pugliaresi, a former National Security Council official in the Reagan administration, told The New York Times in 2001. “He talked about power relationships and fascinated me instantly. He said, ‘When you don’t speak the language over there, you have no power.’” Mr. Shekhtman’s methods were intended for everyday face-to-face exchanges — like “two guys on a park bench,” ...