How to learn french faster and more effectively?

I have taken French in high school and college, and found that the best way to learn French apart from being in a native environment is language CD's. The problem with learning French in cl is that none of the people speak the language! I used the Pimsler language CD's, which I got from the library. They are great because they teach you how to verbally express a wide variety of ideas using the few words you know. This important, because the most important aspect of language is speech and listening comprehension.