The exercises help with grammar and vocabulary. I did not get much from it. The absolute best way to learn a language is total immersion. The second best is having very patient friends/family that can speak a language fluently.

What I like about this book is that I can do these chapters regularly in about 40 minutes. It is easy to plan/force yourself to study and keep up this way. I also like the exercises more than most books of this nature.

(insert expletive of choice)

What a dreary book.

It's been so long since I used "normal" foreign language materials that I'd forgotten how absolutely, soul-suckingly dull they are.

After moving this thing with me for *decades* -- always thinking my Spanish would be better if only I'd knuckle down -- I finally finished it. My Spanish is not substantially better for the experience.

What got me through? Why did I persevere this time? A 5yo boy who concentrates on his own homework best when Mommy is doing homework alongside. So basically I took one for the team. Can I have some chocolate now??

Skip this drudgery. Go read Charlotte Mason on reading lessons and foreign language lessons, then do it all her way instead. More fun, more useable.

Even better: lurk on some polyglot blogs for a while. Those people know how to learn a language! I like Olly Richards, but you do you.