Recently chatting with my friend on skype, he asked me which one language is worthy learning to him. Suggest him to learn Chinese for more culture that he could feel in different thinkings. But backwards to language, Chinese students mostly have to study hard from Pinyin ,Character, Ancient Chinese to Morden Chinese, which is seemed all of four parts contained must be trained essentially through test to higher level into university in China . If you want to speak more fluently , perhaps you must get knowledge on each particulars that relate to culture background , basic meaning, characters originations , and reading variations. 

But most important, keep in mind to seek one best way to learning, that will be easier.

Don't worry about Chinese ,if you can manage it, anthing else you can.

Good luck, friends!