[WildUtah]

I have observed several children acquiring a first language. They struggle with pronunciation, repeat themselves again and again trying to get words right, mimic, ask for help, and generally work their little butts off. There's nothing effortless about it.

I've also seen many adults acquire second languages and fail to do so. I have also learned to speak a second language fluently as an adult myself.

My hypothesis is that adults' greater difficulty in learning a language is mostly based in fear of failure, social embarrassment, the vulnerability of asking for help, and the necessary process of making a fool of yourself along the way. Children are unafraid to blunder repeatedly until they get it right.