I didn't really get why English was so difficult to learn until I worked with 2nd language learners in Atlanta. I was lucky that I spoke and understood enough Spanish to go back and forth between the two languages in order to help them, One thing that really stuck out about that experience is how the Spanish speakers often spelled things phonetically with an accent. For example, Wal-Mart became "Gualmart." This is why reading is soooo important in terms of language acquisition. They see the word rather than just hear it.