MSI Press Blog

  Yes — and when done thoughtfully, it can reshape how young learners see themselves as communicators. Transformative Language Learning and Teaching (TLLT) was originally developed for adult learners, where identity, reflection, and cognitive flexibility are mature enough to drive deep change. But its principles — meaningful engagement, perspective‑taking, and identity growth through language — can absolutely be adapted for K‑12 classrooms. The key is to translate transformation into age‑appropriate experience. 1. What makes TLLT different from traditional language teaching Traditional language instruction focuses on: vocabulary and grammar mastery performance accuracy testable outcomes TLLT focuses on: identity formation — “Who am I when I speak this language?” cognitive expansion — learning to think differently through new linguistic structures empathy and perspective‑taking — understanding how others see the world through their words In K‑12, this means helping students not ...

Most people assume that “study abroad” is the gold standard for language learning. And it certainly helps: immersion, exposure, and daily necessity all accelerate progress. But there is a deeper, more transformative path to near‑native proficiency — working abroad . Not visiting, not studying, but working in the language. Work changes everything. It shifts the learner from the protected bubble of the classroom into the unfiltered reality of how people actually speak, negotiate, joke, complain, and collaborate. And depending on the kind of work, the linguistic gains can be extraordinary. 1. Work forces you into the linguistic deep end Study abroad often keeps learners in a semi‑sheltered environment: international dorms, English‑friendly universities, curated cultural experiences. You can survive with “tourist fluency.” Work abroad removes the safety net. You must: understand instructions the first time read documents without translation write emails that sound professional navigate wo...

    DLIFLC Although the Defense Language Institute teaches German, I did not interact with the German faculty while there as a student in the 1970s. I did, however, elect to take the proficiency test, relying on my high school and university coursework (and, of course, German House). Apparently, that study met the gold standard: I scored 3/3, professional level proficiency, and the highest score allotted to non-native speakers at that time. Thirteen years later, I returned to the DLIFLC as Dean of the Slavic School and later served as Dean of the School of Central European Languages, of which German was one. So, I had the chance to revive rusty German through daily interactions with the faculty, as well as on an individual study basis thanks to one of the instructors kind enough to work with me an hour a week (that was actually enough to foster improved skills) on conversation and literary skills. DLIFLC also provided the first opportunity for me to actually plop down in...

  Today's Publisher's Pride is One Family Indivisible by Steven Greenebaum, which reached #54 in Unitary Universalism and #97 among Amazon top sellers in Christian ecumenism. Book Description: Throughout history we have divided ourselves into groupings of "us" and "them". One Family: Indivisible engagingly invites the reader into the deeply spiritual and lifelong journey of the author to find a way to acknowledge our differences without dividing and subdividing ourselves into competing tribes. It is a journey of mountain tops and deep valleys, but it leads to the inclusivity and mutual respect possible with Interfaith. This is a book for seekers of all races, ethnicities, and spiritual paths who search for that elusive goal of a community of love and inclusion that also respects our diversity. AWARDS Eric Hoffer Award Category Finalist, American Book Fest Best Books Award Finalist (religion) Keywords: interfaith, spiritual journey, common humanity, religiou...

  Today's morning prayer refers to Jerusalem as the city of God. Just what is Jerusalem in this sense? Jerusalem is called “the city of God” because it became, across the biblical story, the place where God chose to make His presence dwell — first in history, then in hope. It is both an earthly city with a long, complicated past and a theological symbol of God’s covenant, holiness, and future redemption. 🜁 What “city of God” means In Scripture, Jerusalem is described as Ir HaKodesh — the Holy City , a place set apart because God established His name, His worship, and His covenant there. Its holiness is not inherent in its stones; it comes from divine election — God choosing Zion as His earthly dwelling. The Psalms call it “the city of the Great King” (Ps 48), celebrating it as the place where God’s presence rests and from which blessing flows. 🜂 A brief history of Jerusalem as God’s city 1. Before David — a Canaanite stronghold Jerusalem began as a Jebusite fortress, st...