Learning a second language as an adult is often framed as a noble goal, but I've noticed that most people who start with Duolingo or evening classes give up within six months. The real question is whether our brains are simply wired to prefer the path of least resistance, making fluency an unrealistic expectation for the average busy professional. I've tried twice myself—once with Spanish, once with Japanese—and both times life got in the way, though I know people who succeeded through immersion programs abroad. Maybe the effort is worth it only if you have a concrete need, like a job or a partner, rather than a vague desire to be bilingual.