FNG,
I have heard tell of instructors not letting their students taxi, or use the radio, until well into the course. I'm glad that mine, from lesson one, had me try pretty much everything, under his supervision.
Same with my instructors. It makes a huge difference. Something to do with that "I do I understand" quote.
Randomtox,
You akin flying to skiing, not a skier so can't compare. Specifically, I would compare landing to golf. With the two, too much thinking and analysis leads to occasional brilliance countered by often pretty shoddy results.