I think everyone else pretty much stated everything I was going to say. I don't want to exhaust the topic, but I do want to put in my two cents. God gives gifts to us, gifts for ourselves and gifts to be used to edify others. Tongues in itself is both gifts. Tongues can be used to edify our own spirits, to strengthen our prayer life, and to communicate with God. Tongues can be used in the church, and when it is, it should be interpreted with no more than three interpretations. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28 clearly states this, "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God." If you are confused still and need clarification, consult the only infallible source: the Bible. All I can speak from is my personal experience, and I believe that praying in tongues is one of the best ways I can strengthen my relationship with the Lord.
God bless, Elizabeth