I have tested dozens of programs for more than 10 languages, and this page reflects my opinion on the best I found. I am in no way connected to any seller nor to the US government, so be ensured that this has been made in all honesty.

A. Foreign Service Institute and Defense Language Institute programs

• What is the Foreign Service Institute?
• What about the Defense Language Institute?
• What kind of books and tapes do they produce?
• Which languages are available?
• Where can I buy them?
• Why American books - can't you be less imperialist - gringo?

B. Dr Pimsleur tapes

• Who was Dr Pimsleur?
• How does his method work?
• How long do I need to complete their method?
• Is it efficient? What will be my skills in my target language when I'm over?
• How much does it cost?
• Where can I buy these programs?

C. Other programs

There are thousands of programs, books and other means to learn languages on the market. If it is available and you can afford it, my best advice is to buy either a Pimsleur or a FSI program. Otherwise, you will have to review many different options before you start with one.

• How can I tell a good program from a bad one?
• What do you think of Berlitz?
• ...And Assimil?
• And the  Teach Yourself serie?
• Et la méthode "Nonante jours"?
• What about grammar books?