MSI Press Blog

  Imagine you’re at a wedding reception in a country where you’ve only just started learning the language. Someone hands you a glass and smiles expectantly—time for a toast. Your mind goes blank. You know some vocabulary, but forming a proper sentence in real time? That’s a different story. Now imagine instead you’d already memorized a few heartfelt toasts in that language, ready to go. You smile, raise your glass, and say something short but sincere. The people around you laugh or nod appreciatively. Suddenly, you’re not a beginner—you’re someone who belongs. This is the power of language islands , a concept developed by Russian-American language teacher and interpreter (and MSI Press author) Boris Shekhtman. These are memorized chunks of speech—phrases, sentences, or mini-speeches—that you can use in specific, often recurring situations. And for language learners, especially those still gaining confidence, islands can be lifesavers. What Exactly Are Language Islands? Languag...

  Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star How to Prepare for an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) All of the organizations that administer written proficiency tests also administer oral proficiency tests. You can find information at the same sites as given for the written tests. Please note that Language Testing International (LTI) administers the OPI of the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) so LTI’s site is the best place to go for information. Some private institutes, organizations, and companies have developed various forms of an OPI, but they are not as commonly known or used as those of ACTFL and the US government. Preparing for the test Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as soon as you know you will be taking an OPI: ·        Given that we become good at what we practice (and not good at what we do not), then it goes without saying that we should practice speaking as much as possible,...

  Excerpt from  Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star How to Prepare for a Written General Proficiency Test Sometimes language learners have to take a general proficiency test not connected with any course they are take. Sometimes, a teacher may incorporate a proficiency test into the end of course requirements. Other times, you may need to take a general proficiency test for language course placement or for a job. These tests differ from classroom proficiency tests. They are broader in scope and more demanding in the skill set they expect. There are very few such tests in existence. The American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages developed one for academic programs (K-12 and university); you can find information at the organization’s website. The Foreign Service Institute has its own proficiency test for diplomats, and the US Department of Defense administers the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to its departmental employees, service members, ...