What's the best way to learn a foreign language if you're unable to travel to a foreign country and don't have funds for an expensive class?

Some people claim that Rosetta Stone is very efficacious. I have tried it, and liked it, but could not find the self-motivation necessary to complete the course.

It depends. What is your learning style? Computer based software mentioned above can be very helpful and is available for a range of prices, Rosetta Stone being in the upper range. Some folks like to watch movies in the target language with subtitles. Some like to read books they are familiar with in their first language that have been translated into others. For example a bilingual Dr. Seuss book could be helpful in learning basic sentence structure and vocabulary. Also, it helps to have a few friends who speak the language, so you can try what you’ve learned in the real world.
Also, if you have access to television or commercial in the target language, watch them with subtitles, and pay attention to phrasing, inflection, tone, etc.
No matter what you choose you should strongly consider investing in the following.
1. a dictionary
2. a phrase book with phonetic spellings.
3. a text that teaches you the basics of grammar, vocabulary, etc.
4. Time to study everyday.
5. Finding a way to hear native speakers use the language (media, internet videos, etc)
6. Once you feel like you have the basics, seek out opportunities to use the language in the real-world.
That said, have fun and remember, even in your first language, you are learning new things everyday.

Foreign films are a good way, especially if they’re not dubbed. I have learned Spanish through Pan’s Labyrinth (good movie btw)
Also, if you like music , then you can probably listen to some bands that have lyrics in a foreign language

I’m in the same boat as you, trying to learn Italian without being able to travel to Italy just yet.

Here are some of my personal tools:

1.) For motivation I often read articles from All Japanese Al The Time

Even though the site is obviously geared towards people learning Japanese, the author has some really insightful things to say about learning a language. He’s a Kenyayn who taught himself Japanese at home without ever going to Japan. After he became fluent he moved to Japan and got a job. He also taught himself Mandarin Chinese to fluency (without going to China) and is learning Cantonese. His basic idea is that you have to just become the language. Don’t take all the language class crap that grammar is the most important thing; a baby simply listens to a language for many months before it can mutter a sound.

Good Aall Japanese All The Time Articles for Motivation: this and this

2.) Secondly I actually own Rosetta Stone but I prefer Livemocha, a free online language learning site. Basically, you pick the language you’re trying to learn and select the language you’re native to. Then you make friends who are trying to learn your language that also speak the language you want to learn. There are audio and written submissions that you then ask your language partners to review. The site also has a free built “adaptive recall” thing which is essentially words and phrases with pictures (JUST like Rosetta Stone). It also has a chat feature.

3.) Lastly, if you need to understand something about the grammar aspect of things, About.com is very helpful with this. They have a pretty in depth Italian grammar overview and a friend of mine said she used it to help become fluent in german and it was very useful. Just search for the language you are trying to learn in the toolbar on the main page.

4.) Other random sites: I watch streaming Italian tv a lot just to hear more and more of the language. Search the web for online videos, movies, and tv shows in the language you’re learning. You’ll be surprised at the goldmine of free stuff you’ll find out there.

Sorry this was so long-winded but I’m passionate about language learning and think anyone can do it without having thousands saved up to travel to the country for months or hundreds saved up for expensive classes which essentially mostly teach grammar. (I’ve been in tons of Italian classes and am just now starting to get better because I took the initiative on my own).

GOOD LUCK and hope I helped!

GA, @Insomnia, it helped me.
Thanks for pointing me to Livemocha.
Definitely will use it.

@rebbel

:)

@Insomnia has plenty of good tips there. Internet is superb for learning new languages.

Take a class at a Community College. It’s not that expensive. You might even qualify for the Government fee waiver and not have to pay for it at all. I’m taking French next semester and all I have to pay for is my book.

Online tutoring. I’m sure there are services like this

http://www.tutorvista.com/

for other languages as well.