In this paper we propose a new methodology for teaching third person possessive pronouns in Russian and Polish ("???/??/??" Russian "jego, jej, ich" Polish) as opposed to the reflexive pronouns "????" (Russian) "swój" (Polish), which always pose significant problems for students learning these languages. In this paper we maintain that the reason for the problem at hand is cognitive in nature: if such a distinction is not present in the mother tongue of the students, they fail to correctly conceptualize the existing difference in the target languages and consequently use the pronouns in question incorrectly. This is based on lack of correct perception rather than lack of theoretical knowledge. The methodology we suggest is based on the practical application of the leading cognitive theories, in particular the Conceptual Integration theory of Fauconnier and Turner.