I know I don't have a natural affinity to learn another language. I knew only Chinese until kindergarten. Learning English was an immense shock. But yes, I mastered it within 1 yr. even though I had to go for ESL help for another yr.
Chinese has degraded immensely --I could never offer interpretation in any job. This is a serious matter in the business world particularily anything involving legal, finance and health matters on the job. Myself and siblings have all learned the hard way in our jobs. That is the truest test of linguistic fluency and accuracy --to speak the language accurately in response to unscripted, unpredictable situations with other people, particularily with members of the public...as your client.
But yes, I must still speak it within my family.
French was a struggle to learn. I think I only know certain words, phrases, because I had to study language.....3 different times over 2.5 decades! All mandatory --public-high school, university.



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