About to give up on my freestyle strokes-

I've tried really hard for the past week or so, granted no one ever taught me how to swim freestyle, i tried by observing others and reading here along with books, videos, etc. So far I've tried- really reach for the light bulb method from one of the DVD forgot the name, where you try to swim on a streamline position, rotate through my hips, elbows high, fingertips dragging along water surface. My coach told me to try to keep my chin close to my chest and rotate that way - tried that and I drink water. Sculling and try to pretend that i'm pushing water behind me and pulling myself forward, none of this help. My stroke count is horrid at 25-26 per 25 meter, and I'm slow as a snail. Is there anything else I can do? I'm already swimming with the masters class and i am not sure keep pushing myself to do the sets will get me anywhere? Thanks for letting me rant, but maybe i'm just hopeless?!