I'm seriously interested in teaching myself a new language. As it stands the list of languages I can speak stands at: English.
It's German I'm particularly wanting to learn, and I feel I have enough time and dedication needed to put into learning a foreign language.

Buttt, here's the problem. I was browsing the shelves in Waterstones/looking online on Amazon, and there are so many teach yourself books/audio sets/CD-ROMS, I was completely overwhelmed with what to choose! So I came here to ask, is there any particular publisher anyone would recommend/not recommend? A lot seemed very similar after a quick flick through. I hear all the different tenses for verbs in German is quite complicated, but couldn't really tell at a glance how well the individual book etc. dealt with verbs, especially as since I haven't learnt it yet I don't know what I'm looking for! The only one that stood out were the Michael Thomas ones - I got a very definite urge NOT to buy them just by the cover of the box :p

Hi, well done on deciding to learn a new language :)  I also speak German (OH is half German - so good job :) )  and I've been really impressed with the german lessons (Deutsch Plus, Talk  German, Germany inside out, etc.) on BBC2 learning zone late at night :)  They are a series of lessons which take you through starting to learn the language thru to speaking it in various situations :)  and it's fairly interesting too which is a real bonus :D another bonus is that the lessons are FREE :D :D

To find out more click on the link

BBC2 Learning Zone

You can also contact them to find out when they will next be screened :)

Ooo thankyou. I actually saw some BBC Learning Zone books and thought they looked quite good. So will check out the free stuff first (of course ) then might consider buying one of the books.

from experience of learning without a tutor, i canhighly  recommend the "Colloquial" series by James Naughton. I have tried 3 different makes of couse & this is by far the best & easiest. A quick peek inside his book & I see he does German as well it comes with a book and cd's/cassettes which mean I can rattle on whilst driving as well, although you do get some odd looks from other car users at traffic lights!!!