Lociwee: I just bought a copy a few weeks ago and have used it in one lesson to read with my student in China who indicated she used this book. I only have book 1, and have had no time to form an opinion on it. I know my book has lessons that say; "Listen to the tape and answer the questions." Nobody told me there was a tape to be used with it. Looking at the lessons at the middle of the book just now, I would say that it is good enough for lessons. I think that in combination with my other teach materials such as song videos, Nursery Rhymes, and other written material, that any one could benefit from studying in this book with a Native Speaker to help and discuss it.

It's a natural reaction for a learner to want to reject anything "too difficult". However, this is a definite way of sabotaging your own progress. To answer your question directly: yes, you should know these forms and be able to use them comfortably. There's A LOT MORE which doesn't get into the textbooks.

I can teach you some phrases like these:) They are just how people talk. They are like Chinese proverbs in the way that the words don't necessarily mean exactly what they literally mean. Year in and year out means something like 'all the time.'