What are the best book/cd/tape packages for learning foreign languages?

[battleknight24]

I would like to start studying foreign languages in my spare time, but they always have a boatload of titles to choose from (at Barnes & Noble anyway...). Which do you all recommend? Which should I stay away from?

[stopbush]

1. Try Transparent Language

I've used their CDs for French & German and found them to be excellent.

www.transparent.com

[blessedleader]

2. rosetta stone?

I'm in French Class, and I've had French before so I cannot say how well this works for starting cold, but there's this computer program called The Rosetta Stone, it retails for $200 per unit per language (each is two units). . . but you can actually subscribe to them online for $30 a month or $60 for three months. . . I've been using the French as extra practice. . . you can go to http://www.rosettastone.com and try lessons from each unit as a trial, also see how well they work over your internet connection. They have a million languages, and you can sample each one. . . it's cool.