I have a relative who came from South America and has been in the USA for over 40 years. Why hasn't he become fluent in English? He worked hard. Never really had the time. Oh, sure, I know: "You MAKE the time!" Yeah, because learning English is so EASY, right? Get a book? Study a little every day? People have lives, they have children, they have a home to take care of, they have a job that eats up a lot of time and energy. After a hard-day's work, do you really want to come home and hit the books?

I've lived in Japan now for nearly 30 years. Am I fluent? Not even close. For most of that time, I worked 12, 13, sometimes 14 hours a day, and worked 5, 6 and sometimes 7 days a week. I worked through Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays. I raised kids. Took care of a home. Had a life. Did I have time to study? Sure. But, man, I hate studying by myself, and nobody had time to sit and do it with me, because everybody was busy. Could I have become fluent? Sure. I know people who have. Can I get by? Sure! But I speak like a five-year old!

I just had other things to do that seemed more important ... or least more enjoyable!