Here is a better resource: https://www.state.gov/m/fsi/sls/c78549.htm https://www.state.gov/m/fsi/sls/c78549.htm Both resources list the languages according to

Here is a better resource: https://www.state.gov/m/fsi/sls/c78549.htm https://www.state.gov/m/fsi/sls/c78549.htm Both resources list the languages according to "time to Professional Working Proficiency" level. Not native level. Learning any language to a native degree is going to be exceedingly difficult. French has more difficult pronunciation and spelling rules, significantly moreso than Spanish or German. Even for native English speakers. The fact that overall, learning French is easier than say Korean, does not change the fact that French has difficult pronunciation.