MSI Press Blog

  When speaking a foreign language, there’s nothing more grounding than a place you can stand with confidence. That’s the magic of speech islands —memorized monologues or well-rehearsed chunks of speech that learners can deliver fluidly, like a native. This tool, popularized by Boris Shekhtman in How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately , invites learners to develop short verbal “islands” on topics they know well. Whether it’s your hometown, your favorite hobby, or your professional background, these rehearsed segments become linguistic safe zones. 🧭 Why Speech Islands Matter Speech islands give learners: A break from on-the-fly construction A chance to showcase fluency and pronunciation A moment to regroup and breathe A way to guide the conversation toward familiar ground They’re especially useful in spontaneous or high-stakes situations—think interviews, panel discussions, or networking events—where preparation meets performance. 🗣️ How to Create and Use Sp...

  Many language learners strive for brevity, believing short answers signal confidence and control. But when you’re speaking with native speakers, brevity can backfire—turning dynamic conversation into a rigid Q&A exchange. And once the learner starts playing ping-pong with questions and answers, the conversation loses flow, and fluency begins to fray. That’s where Show Your Stuff comes in—a powerful tool introduced by Boris Shekhtman in How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately . It flips the script by encouraging learners to give expansive, intentional responses. Not rambling—but rich. Not performative—but personal. ⚙️ Why Verbose Responses Matter Imagine this: a native speaker asks, “Do you like Italian food?” A short answer—“Yes, very much”—shuts the door. The next question might follow, but the learner remains passive, reactive. A fuller answer opens the door wide: “Oh, absolutely. I first discovered real Italian food when I traveled to Milan during my final year o...

  Inspired by   How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately – Fifth Edition Linguistic mastery doesn’t begin with grammar drills or endless vocabulary lists. It begins the moment you realize that communication is more than correctness—it’s connection. It's about using the language you already know in ways that are clear, confident, and compelling. That’s the starting point of  How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately , a book that turns traditional language learning on its head. Now in its fifth edition, this widely respected guide offers tools that don’t just help you  learn  a foreign language—they help you  use  it with immediate impact. These are not gimmicks or shortcuts. They are smart, strategic communication techniques developed with adult professionals in fields where clarity, persuasion, and presence are essential—journalists, diplomats, executives, and government officials. These individuals couldn’t wait for fluency to land—the...

  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,” ...