German language programs??

Jamie, it depends on what you're looking for in the program. Often there are community education classes that will teach you some conversational German for business people and travelers. Otherwise, most of the computer based learning is the same. You can pick just about any one that has some decent reviews. They'll at least get you familiar with the language. But the only sure-fire way to get familiar with a language is to use it.
I feel you pain, as I haven't been able to find an affordable way to learn at minimum conversational German other than buying some software. I've been looking for a bout 5 years. Good luck!

Here is a program that was just introduced to me. It's free and can be done at your computer. I can't say it's the best but...

www.trymango.com

My husband and I know a little French and Spanish but we are going to Germany in November so we're going to "trymango".

Connie

You might see if you can take a class in your area. See if your local community education offers a travel German class. I personally have never had any luck with tapes and do much better in classes.

Additionally, the Goethe Institute offers German classes in many cities around the world. You might check their website for resources.

Hi Jamie,
I bought a 3 CD set called "Learn In Your Car" German put out by Penton Overseas. Inc. at Barnes and Noble. I've found this program to be very helpful, especially on my 1 hour each way commute.
I also took a couple of classes in German Language at my local high school's night school classes.

Paul

Please note that English is widely spoken and understood all over Western Germany and in the larger cities of the East. However, what's not in English are signs. It might come in very handy if you knew the German words for all kind of things you may need to be able to identify on signs, timetables, menues, etc. Also outside the really large cities the announcements on train stations are in German only.

PIMSLEUR works well - I think i learned as much or more French in 4 CDs as I did with 5 months of once a week classes!

Amazon or Ebay or Bookstores have them. The full sets are expensive (try ebay for new/used)... but you can get teh sample 4 - 8 lesson sets on amazon for 20-40$ - well worth it for basic communication!

This method is based on how kids learn - with repitition by native speakers so you learn to say it right!

Jamie, I personally have a problem with tapes as I am largely a visual learner and need to be looking at the words to learn them. Having said that, I have done German in an immersion class (only speaking German) at the local community college; bought the tapes/CDs with the books and downloaded Swedish from iTunes (they have free classes for all kinds of languages) and I'm going for Rosetta Stone for Spanish as it comes highly recommended. Like all learning processes, everyone is different and what works well for me may not be the same. I need to be held accountable to the learning (my son is ahead of me in Spanish, so he'll be the judge & loves to speak) but some people are well motivated. And now I agree with Andreas, I've only really used my German in Hungary and once this summer very surprisingly in Berlin (I think every menu in that city is in English too.)

I bought a great book for about $15. It is called German in 15 minutes a day, I think. It has time, days of week, numbers, useful phrases. It's a workbook, plus flashcards and some removable menu sheets. It has helped me a lot. I go to Germany twice a year, and I am very good at street signs, menus, all that--just don't speak much. This book helped me a lot. It should be available at Borders or Amazon.com.

Check with your local library. Ours offers free use of Rosetta Stone which is visual as well as audio and can be accessed on-line.

Enjoy your trip!