Language, like all forms of art and beauty, is about making connections and enhancing life. Any human action, from writing a novel to taking a walk, can be raised to the level of art. It can also be reduced to mechanics: functional, but lifeless.

As you study Spanish, you can choose to approach it as an art form or as a practical tool for communicating with others, or anything in between. h e language itself and its various opportunities do not change—they are there for the taking. What you come away with is based on your choice of orientation.

Both approaches—artistic and utilitarian—require diligence and hard work, with attention paid to both grammar and vocabulary. A lopsided approach, however, can greatly diminish your enjoyment and success.

Polish your Spanish vocabulary skills

Building on the success of her prior book, Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses, author Dorothy Devney Richmond helps you attain a strong working vocabulary, no matter if you are an absolute beginner or an intermediate student of the language.

She combines her proven instruction techniques and clear explanations with a plethora of engaging exercises, so you are motivated and hardly notice that you are absorbing so much Spanish. Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Vocabulary also includes basic grammar and structures of the language to complement your newly acquired words. "Vocabulary Builders" help you add to your Spanish repertoire by using cognates, roots, suffixes, prefixes, and other "word-building" tools.