At my secondary school German was mandatory for all five years and French was forced upon the top two sets (there were several sets, the higher you were obviously the smarter you were ) in the second and third years. There was then an option to carry French on for the final two years, and you'd have to continue learning German alongside. I passed French (got me a certificate ) but I hated it because, well it's pants! I also got an A* in German, so I was pretty proficient. Emphasis on was though, as I've not spoken it for three years now - I'd struggle to order a drink now! In my defence nobody speaks German in England, there's no way of keeping yourself speaking it to a reasonable level.
Oh and erm....Pedersen (whoops nearly made him Swedish, or whatever the o instead of the e would make him!), hmmmm, yes, interesting (for all you whiners out there!).