Why so much time on written grammar in the beginning?
I am still in the first level trying to gain a basic grasp of the language vocabulary. The verbal portion is OK and I like seeing phrase in writing. But why soooooooo much time on written sentences structure and syntax? Perhaps in subsequent levels when I has some basic understanding and maybe can carry on a very basic conversation it might make sense. But I think as a child when learning English, I do not recall, learning a word and immediately being asked to write it. It seems to me all this emphasis on writing a like the cart before horse. Far too much time on written grammar and far less time on spoken language skills. At this moment in time, being able to go into a Spanish speaking restaurant in town (there are a couple), place an order, and pay the bill would be a real accomplishment. Something very basic. Something I think a person should be able to do without an in depth knowledge of the language grammar. In short, I find all the emphasis on perfect grammar a real inhibitor to learning the language. As written earlier, if I get to level 2 and I am still interested in learning more, then I am becoming engaged and yes it makes sense to start spending more time on grammar. But not in the beginning. There is soooo much to learn about the language itself. Permanent and non-permanent states of being is an extremely confusing concept to grasp for an English speaking person.