i agree with you, even though i haven't had much experience with calses and other resourses but, i am teaching japanese to myself in my own time, using a prgram called "pimsleur japanese". its really really good and i already know enough to have a very amature chat with somone about say; who i am, or wether i am asking for directions. ihave learnt all this in 7 lessons so far,. but i must admit there is a long way to go. but well worth the effort!