how effective is it to self teach a foreign language?

Question

If it has worked out for you guys, could you reccomend me some essential self teaching books for French ?
Thanks

Answer 1

Rosetta Stone Langauge Interactive Software is supposed to be the absolute primo way to learn a foreign language in the comfort of your own home. And they even have French:
http://www.rosettastone.com/en/individuals/languages/french
Here's French set 1 & 2 used on ebay for $90, down from $329 retail.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rosetta-Stone-French-Levels-1-2_W0QQitemZ250039166459QQihZ015QQcategoryZ41867QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 2

N O T !!! You can learn by repetition some of the basics by going to the Internet(except for Arabic, Chinese, etc) and learn grammar.. verbs... etc but you will NEVER master the language unless you have a person who can practice sounds with you or go to an intensive language school in that particular language....I speak several languages but I studied on my own and then I spent time in the various countries and intensively learned what I had gotten from books on verbs, etc.

Answer 3

I believe I had a limited sucess with it but I gave up after a few weeks. I'd bet a class is easier!

Answer 4

If there are some people around who speak the language to practice talking to it will work, otherwise you won't really get it right.

Answer 5

I tried. Its really really hard! Esp if it is in characters rather then in letters or vise versa. If you have a lot of motivation and self will you can do it.

Answer 6

its effective to a point. you can only go so far teaching yourself!

Answer 7

I can be done but it's probably easier to have someone else teach you.