MSI Press Blog

  Once learners master clarity and accuracy, it’s time to add color . The Embellish It tool, outlined by Boris Shekhtman in How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately , helps advanced speakers level up their discourse by adding complexity— with control . It’s not about sounding academic—it’s about painting fuller pictures and extending conversations. When done well, embellishment transforms speech from transactional to expressive. 🧵 What Does Embellishment Look Like? Take a simple sentence: “My brother John lives in Hollister.” Now, add relative clauses, descriptive phrases, comparisons, and additional details: “My brother John, with whom I’ve unfortunately lost touch over the years, lives in Hollister, which lies just south of San Jose and not far from San Francisco. Hollister, like its more famous neighbor, is cradled by mountain views, but unlike San Francisco, it sits inland, a short drive from the Pacific without touching it directly.” Suddenly, your speech h...

  One of the biggest barriers to fluency isn’t vocabulary—it’s translation thinking . Learners try to fit the foreign language into the mold of their native tongue, resulting in awkward syntax, unnatural phrasing, and constant hesitation. Breakaway says: Stop translating. Start living in the language. 🧨 Why Breakaway Matters This tool invites learners to: 🚫 Quit cross-language comparisons 🧠 Engage directly with native grammar structures 🗣️ Speak using patterns they've internalized, not constructed 🔄 Loop fluency and grammar acquisition together Translation is useful in early comprehension—but in speech, it’s a bottleneck. The faster you drop it, the sooner fluency flows. 📐 The Three Rules of Breakaway Only Use Target-Language Grammar Don’t mimic native-language phrasing Let the structure of the foreign language guide you Use Grammar You Know Automatically No guessing, no improvising Build speech from patterns you’ve mastered Know As Many Structures As P...

In the winding journey of foreign language acquisition, one deceptively simple skill can make the difference between a stalled conversation and a confident flow: Shifting Gears . Originally outlined by Boris Shekhtman in How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately , this tool allows learners to maintain fluency—even when they encounter unfamiliar vocabulary or complex topics—by artfully pivoting to terrain they know well. 🎯 What Is “Shifting Gears”? Imagine you’re driving through a foreign language conversation and hit a hill too steep: maybe it’s a political debate you’re not prepared for, or a scientific concept you don’t know the words for. Instead of grinding to a halt, you downshift —you transition, smoothly and purposefully, to a topic you can discuss. And when done well, this move isn’t evasive—it’s strategic. It gives the impression (rightfully!) that you’re in control of the conversation, equipped with tools to communicate effectively even under pressure. 🗣️ Spee...

  🗣️ Want to Transform Your Language Skills into a Powerful Communication Tool? Learn to Use Strategic Exercises and Tools for Seamless Conversations Language isn’t just about words—it’s about presence. It’s your ability to express, connect, and respond with agility across cultures and contexts. But how do we transform textbook knowledge into fluent, confident dialogue? That’s where the strategic exercises in Boris Shekhtman’s  How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately  shine. These tools aren’t just clever—they’re  field-tested by diplomats, educators, and professionals  who needed language to  work  in real time. Let’s explore how you can make your own skills feel seamless and natural. 🎯 One-Minute Exercise: Fluency in Motion This exercise trains you to speak continuously for one minute on any topic—no notes, no pauses. It boosts thinking speed, encourages improvisation, and helps overcome the fear of making mistakes. Over time, it builds co...