Originally Posted by jack'smom
I speak German fluently, having studied it for 5 years and then studying at a German university for a year before graduate school. I did not understand the nuances of English grammar until I really studied a foreign language.

I totally agree with this. I also very, very firmly believe that direct, intense grammar instruction in the first language is hugely beneficial to learning other languages.

Maybe my dd is a grammar geek or maybe the way she was taught was just very cool, but she enjoyed grammar work and would choose it. I still feel really inadequate in this area.