Hurtling down the autoroute in France, I had the opportunity to "road test" the French All Talk language learning package from Linguaphone on my car CD player.

Eight hours later, I still couldn't get my tongue around all those tricky continental vowel sounds but I definitely knew how to order a cold beer and an excellent dinner.

Developed with the backing of Linguaphone's academic advisory committee and written by an expert in radio drama and language-teaching programmes, All Talk is an easily-affordable and timeefficient way for adults to begin to speak French.

The programme is presented as a soap-style story. The listener follows the experiences of a British businessman on his first visit to France. Listening to native French speakers really helped me understand the language and I learned all kinds of things about the country's social and business culture.

Based on natural learning, the CD provides an active working vocabulary of almost 2,000 words, roughly equivalent to A-Level+ conversational standard.

More than enough for everyday or basic business use. You are immersed in the sounds of the French language.

You'll quickly begin to understand what people are saying and know how to get your own message across.

The course comes in two parts. Level 1 (eight CDs or cassettes) covers everyday conversation while Level 2 (eight CDs or cassettes)

covers a more challenging range of dialogue.

Price: £89.90.

Contact: 0800 123 300.

Feel good factor: 9 out of 10.