How does it only take a year or so to speak/understand our first language but it’s so much harder to acquire another language?

Question

Like, we have a frame of reference (first language), so why is it so hard to learn another language after that?

In: Other

Answer 1

It’s actually easier in terms of time and effort to learn a 2nd language as an adult than it is as a child. It’s just harder to dedicate the time and effort as an adult on language learning.

CEFR guidelines estimate that for an adult that is literate in a native language that uses a Roman alphabet, they would need 100-150 hours of guided instruction to reach an A1 level (can give basic personal information and handle rehearsed situations for specific needs with assistance), and additional 100-150 hours to reach an A2 level ( ), 100-200 hours to go to B1 () and 150-200 to get to B2 (proficient user that can communicate in most situations independently, with some grammar mistakes). So yeah, you’re only 500 hours of guided instruction away from being fluent in a foreign language. You could do that by studying 5 hours per week for 2 years.