Like most people are saying . . . it just depends on you and how your brain learns languages. What I can say is that learning a language is always easier if you live where it is spoken, since you are exposed to its usage all the time.

Let us know what you end up deciding on,
Darkphoenix

From my limited experience of German, I would say that grammatically and phonetically it is easier and more straightforward than French. Also in learning German you see just how b*stardised English has become from its Anglo Saxon roots.

Having said all that, I still find French a much more pleasurable language to listen to and speak even though its much harder work. For example I have Serge Gainsbourg, Marc Lavoine, Johnny Halliday, Edith Piaf, Renaud et al tunes on my Ipod but I don't think I can even name a German singer??? That to me is the key to learning success, if you truly love and respect a culture you find learning their language a lot easier.

I agree 100%. French is the more difficult one.
Further, it depends on the age of the person, the older the more difficult, kids learn in a jiffy, amazing!!

French v German: I did both to degree level, then lived in France, Germany and Austria. I feel I am still learning French, though I 've been able to speak it for 15 years now - it's a bit like English, full of exceptions, flavours, nuances and ambiguity. German took me a while to get used to, but after you have learned the 'system' then it is mostly a question of slotting in new words/ideas into the system that took ages to learn.

After a year of each, I would venture that your French would be better than your German, but after 2 years that would probably have changed as you've now got to grips with the German structure. I speak German quite happily, but I still prefer French.

BTW, I then went on to learn some Swedish and agree with Gooner that it's reasonably straightforward (!) after English/German, then I did some Spanish, and then British sign language. Once you've learned 'how to learn a language', each new one is easier than the last. I do get confused at times, especially when I know a word in (e.g.) French, but actually need it in Spanish, but overall I've only made a complete tw*t of myself a few... hundred... times

thanks for the answers.

I think it is 50 /50, but French sounds nicer

Nicolas Cage said recently:

German sounds sexy and with his bew castle from Germany he decided
to learn a little German. Wow !

Any language can sound sexy - it's all in the delivery.

At the beginner level, I'd have to say French is the harder langauge simply because of its pronuciation. If you can't pronounce correctly what you're trying to say, then that is a huge stumbling block.

The genderfication of all vowels is an absolute pain in the arse for both languages (der/die/das or le/la), and for most (all?) other non-English European languages.

Because English is spelt properly? It is one of the most illogical and irrational languages in pronunciation...

The apparently illogical and irrational nature of English is merely an example of the sheer brilliance of the people who invented it (that is, the English). What better way to expose the deception of the would-be spy who wishes to persuade an English gentleman that he, too, is a member of The Greatest Club on Earth? Merely ask him to say 'Loughborough', 'Leicester', 'Belvoir' or 'Uttoxeter' out loud.

Then mock him mercilessly as you blindfold him, offer him a cigarette and show him what you think of his inept attempts to speak God's own language.