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...

  If you've ever found yourself struggling mid-conversation in another language, desperately searching for words, translating in your head, and praying for a merciful topic change… you’re not alone. We've all been there. But today’s tip might just change the way you approach language learning — and save your dignity at the next international gathering. Let’s talk about language islands . What Are Language Islands? Back in the mid-1980s, Boris Shekhtman, a brilliant and wildly successful instructor at the Foreign Service Institute (and later the Specialized Language Training Center), coined the term “language islands.” His students — diplomats, international journalists, and world travelers — swore by his methods. And no wonder. A language island is a memorized chunk of speech — a little monologue, a practiced story, a polished opinion — that you know so well, you can say it without thinking. No mental translation. No stuttering. No panicked flailing for vocabulary. Just smooth...

  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...

  Continuing in what seems to be coming a trend -- we keep coming across videos of readers -- teachers and language learners -- who have fallen in love with     How to Improve Your Foreign Language Immediately  by  Boris Shekhtman . The falling in love is not surprising; this book is the darling of diplomats and international journalists, both groups of individuals that Boris spent his life teaching. What is a little more surprising is the number of people who have quietly made videos about the book and its contents -- and which we stumble across upon occasion, such as today. Here is one such video: How to Use Language Islands to Reach Fluency Faster - YouTube The book contains seven tools, one of which is "islands." While the assumption may be -- and often is -- that these tools can help improve language proficiency at intermediate and advanced levels, it can also improve proficiency at the very lowest and very highest levels. With islands (which are essentiall...