There are two huge factors in learning a language:

1: Being willing to fuck up in front of expert-level speakers repeatedly while appreciating their patience

2: Having expert-level speakers who are willing to work with you and not rush you and appreciate your work and you say the craziest shit by accident

Both are facilitated by not having someone in line behind you, or other sociologistical pressures, but the biggest factor is in recognizing your shared human struggle.