Rosetta Stone: 10% Off + Free Shipping 
Language is one of those things that nags at so much of the population without the every really doing much about it. Everyone knows just how important it is, particularly if you live in the US; the research shows that it stimulates the mind and slows down aging. It is well known that travelling is always more exciting when you can actually converse with the local populace. The problem is always the same - time. Well thankfully there are ways to learn from your own computer absolutely in your own time and importantly in an interactive and fun way that doesn’t exhaust you after a days work. 
There are many approaches to online language learning; all of them are effective to a greater or lesser degree - the real key is diversity. By far the best way to learn a language is to approach it from as many sides as possible; the problem is if you don't have the time to do an actual sit down class with a teacher. These classes are offered by all colleges and junior colleges and are always useful - having someone speak to you in Spanish is one of the best ways to learn. However, it is not the best way.
In fact the eLearning solutions to the problem of language learning are far more effective in passing across information, and in fact they are usually cheaper - even the better software packages such a Rosetta Stone. Rosetta Stone software is the number one rated software for learning languages. The key to this software is that it teaches through images and repetition - much like the way a child would learn. Scientists recently showed that it is no more difficult for an adult to learn a language than it is for a child - we just are out of practice and don't try enough. Reading a few grammar rules in a class is certainly good, but trying to learn the way a child would is better. As such software like Rosetta Stone is the best option overall but again it should be supplemented.
In a similar vein to the 'learn like a child' theme, my main suggestion for supplemental learning is to use Amazon, or something similar, to buy actual children’s materials in the language you want to learn - so a child’s DVD or book - and just sit there and immerse yourself in it - your helpful grey neurons will do the rest :) At this point I should state though that this method is essentially useless without the support of a more rounded method such as language learning software (e.g. Rosetta Stone).
If you follow these guidelines well you will find that your ability to understand will increase dramatically; if you follow these guidelines and take an actual class that forces you to speak and study in the traditional way it will be better still. Again though, if you must choose between an in-class class and a software package, choose the software package - the Rosetta Stone Language Pack is amazing (at this point I feel I should point out I don't work for Rosetta Stone - I used them to learn Spanish and now speak fluently so I am a happy customer).
The problem is that if you just stick with these methods and try to speak to a local - you will get a confused giggle. Why? Because knowing how to read, write, and maybe even speak to a teacher, is not knowing how to converse. However, this is where eLearning really comes into its own - just check out the Rosetta Stone language exchange site and see what I mean. This site allows you to actually speak with people living in other countries for free! The basic concept is, you speak for a while in your language and for a while in theirs and help each other out - learning colloquialisms as you go.
The best news of this presentation though is the time of year - Christmas is coming - and Christmas for Rosetta Stone means huge promotions on their best language packages, 10% Off + Free Shipping . So why not give this whole package to someone who would really like to learn (maybe even yourself?) - they get the number one language learning software, the Rosetta Stone language exchange site, and a generally fabulous Christmas gift!
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