Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners

Rating:
Summary: Who Needs an Instructor?
Review: As a person that is primarily an independent learner of Spanish, I have found this book to be an absolute-must-have tool. But what I found most helpful were the conjugation charts. Although I have been studying Spanish for quite some time now, at times, I still find myself at a loss for words especailly when trying to think of the proper verb tense to use. Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners fills that gap by providing comprehensive verb conjugation charts that enable the reader to quickly find the proper verb tense. Not only does the book allow the reader to find the proper verb tense, the book's independent learning style commits the proper verb usage to memory.

The author accomplishes this by incorporating a very unique method that allows the student to correct herself, eliminating the need for a Spanish instructor. I have found this correction method very helpful because it requires me to "think" not just memorize and repeat. By thinking about my mistakes and why my mistakes are in fact wrong the grammar lessons are committed to memory.

The book is not intended to be an end in itself -- but a very valuable tool. You will still need an excellent indenpendent learning course to use with the book. For more formal Spanish I recommend Pimsleur Spanish to use with this book. If you prefer the less formal or more casual Spanish, you may wish to try Learning Spanish Like Crazy. I have made excellent results using either course with Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners.

Rating:
Summary: Develop self-confidence
Review: I had purchased other books on Spanish Grammar but was never totally satisfied until I found this gem. It presents Spanish Grammar in a simple, comprehensive style with clear explanations throughout, and because of its layout it can be used as a reference book, making it a reliable companion that students of any level would be happy to possess as they proceed through their language study programme.

Nouns, adjectives, prepositions, - all the elements that form the backbone of a language are explained in depth by means of several examples and illustrations so that it becomes easy to absorb each concept effortlessly. `Por' and `para', the preterite and imperfect tenses plus other areas of difficulty are made clear.

The book also contains a list of about 34 fully conjugated verbs and a section that indicates which preposition should follow each verb as a complement, in addition to explaining whether the indicative or subjective form should be used, based on the context. Also included is an area that focuses on self-correction techniques that allow the student to trace and diagnose their own errors and correct them, gaining self- confidence and becoming more self-reliant in the process.

"Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners" is therefore like having 3 volumes in 1 and can be used by all students and lovers of Spanish, whether a beginner or advanced user.

Rating:
Summary: most amazing grammar book i have ever read
Review: i received this book at a class i took in mexico to prepare for the texas state spanish certification. i was absolutely floored. you won't believe that there is a spanish grammar book you can pick up like a novel, and every page is filled with the kind of knowledge that you can both use immediately AND is also the history and theory behind WHY we use the grammar that way!
i have given the book as a gift several times to new spanish learners (my sons and grandsons) and their spanish teachers. if you really want to understand why we say what we say when we speak spanish--get this book. wow.

Rating:
Summary: most amazing grammar book i have ever read
Review: i received this book at a class i took in mexico to prepare for the texas state spanish certification. i was absolutely floored. you won't believe that there is a spanish grammar book you can pick up like a novel, and every page is filled with the kind of knowledge that you can both use immediately AND is also the history and theory behind WHY we use the grammar that way!
i have given the book as a gift several times to new spanish learners (my sons and grandsons) and their spanish teachers. if you really want to understand why we say what we say when we speak spanish--get this book. wow.

Rating:
Summary: nice explanations in english
Review: I would think there would be a littl more available here. I think the reviews here are a little deceiving. The book is absent on the practice portions expected in a grammar book. I also thought there would be more to the book. A large part of the materials has to do with a listing of verb conjugations. Still it is easy to go through and could be of some help. I would say that anyone considering a new second level grammar book opt for the Ultimate Spanish Review and Practice by Ronni Gordon and David Stillman. Thats the best book around.

Rating:
Summary: The best grammar book in the market
Review: This book is the BEST in the market, no doubt about it. Dr. Arie Vicente was my mentor and guide at the University of Southern Mississippi (he passed away in August 2001) and his wisdom and charisma is reflected in this book. I feel truly blessed to have known such a wonderful person, a true friend and outstanding Spanish instructor. This book makes Spanish grammar as easy to understand as 1, 2, 3.

Rating:
Summary: Most EXCELLENT and INCLUSIVE book EVER!
Review: This is definitely not the ordinary book that you find in any store containing some grammatical points and a few exercises in the back. As a native speaker of Spanish I must say that I have never encountered a book with such rich and comprehensive content. It would indisputably be an indispensable asset to any Spanish program and/or personal library.

I strongly encourage everybody who is really interested in studying the beautiful-and at the same time complex-language of Cervantes not to do it without "Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners". If, like me, you have spent hundreds of dollars purchasing book after book, trying to find the best one, I believe your search has come to an end as this will be the best [$] that you will have spent.

Rating:
Summary: Most EXCELLENT and INCLUSIVE book EVER!
Review: This is definitely not the ordinary book that you find in any store which contains some grammatical points and a few exercises in the back. As a native speaker of Spanish I must say that I have never encountered a book with such rich and comprehensive content. It would indisputably be an indispensable asset to any Spanish program and/or personal library.

I strongly encourage everybody who is really interested in studying the beautiful-and at the same time complex-language of Cervantes not to do it without "Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners". If, like me, you have spent hundreds of dollars purchasing book after book, trying to find the best one, I believe your search has come to an end as this will be the best $26.95 that you will have spent.