How difficult is it for an English speaker to learn German?

[Zane]

Title says it all really, I know google says around 33 weeks but I'm assuming reality will differ. Is there anyone one here who has successfully taken the plunge that can offer some advice or perspective?

[Richmondbread]

German is a lot easier to learn than say, Hungarian. Most German is resonant of Old English. Some words are similar as English. Since English is a more robust language, you hear more Romantic influence in English , and almost none in German. So it's much easier for an English speaker to learn French, or even Italian, than German. But German would be a close 2nd. You could probably speak fluent German within a year of living there. The easiest way to learn a new language is through music.