I just bought the Pimsleur set. It was at Waldenbooks for under $40. It is going very well so far, which is to say it is clear as a bell. This seems to be the ticket.
Hang in there, it will pay off. I'll never forget the excitement I felt when I heard Yasser Arafat speaking and I was able to understand one word he said, ONE word! And I felt satisfied as hell.Then, another time, I was watching a movie about terrorists and I understood the man when he said he was Egyptian. Small victories lead to winning the war.