On: How I learned French in 12 months (2020)

[bayesian_horse]

I think language classes are in itself slow. Duolingo is a lot faster. After Duolingo you should read texts in the language (B1-B2 maybe) and then you will start being able to listen to arbitrary native speakers (which I don't think is practicable before C1).

French has plenty of difficulty in orthography and some in grammar. Maybe the grammar is slightly less complex than German, but only slightly. But I'd say for someone from another language that is easily overshadowed by prior experience in English or Spanish or similar.

[isbvhodnvemrwvn → bayesian_horse]

In my experience duolingo on its own doesn't get you anywhere past A1 or maaaaybe A2 in German.

[bayesian_horse → isbvhodnvemrwvn]

The current course (from English) should get you well past that.