Also, a foreign language takes a lot of time and effort to even just become functional in it.
I'll second that. I see a new westerners come here to Taiwan every year, many with grandiose goals of "mastering" Chinese. So far, it has broken every one of them, including myself. After six years, I can muddle my way through the Apple Daily and converse at a native-like level about topics I'm very familiar with, but all my illusions of becoming "literate" or "speaking flawlessly" died long ago.
Even now my Chinese isn't sufficient to get me a job without the benefit of having my English skills as well. Learning Chinese has been great on a personal level, but in terms of career, it was one of the most expensive decisions I've ever made.
I'll second that. I see a new westerners come here to Taiwan every year, many with grandiose goals of "mastering" Chinese. So far, it has broken every one of them, including myself. After six years, I can muddle my way through the Apple Daily and converse at a native-like level about topics I'm very familiar with, but all my illusions of becoming "literate" or "speaking flawlessly" died long ago.
Even now my Chinese isn't sufficient to get me a job without the benefit of having my English skills as well. Learning Chinese has been great on a personal level, but in terms of career, it was one of the most expensive decisions I've ever made.