Learning languages is like that famous quote from Fight Club--"you decide your own level of involvement"

I dated a colombian girl for 4 years and she started with 0 english and I started with basic spanish I had from highschool. Despite enrolling her in 3 different classes, pushing duolingo, teaching her words myself, etc she STILL cannot even say anything beyond Hi how are you, my name is xxx

During that time my spanish progressed incredibly, it was like boot camp for me. I would get upset and ask her why she is not trying harder to learn the language. she always tells me yes she wants to learn english so bad and she knows it's important for living in usa. but just like you she would do 10 mins of duolingo a day and that would satisfy her. no progress

People love to entertain the idea of speaking another language. But once they realize how freaking difficult it is most back off. they might even get to basic jokey conversational level so they can order a beer or say funny things but then no mas. it takes a decade to learn a language and you have to be a special type of person to take that on. is that talent? maybe.

I would call it curiosity