i don't have a second language. does that make you feel better?
i have variously attempted learning spanish, french, russian, and hebrew - but i end up learning the words and pronunciation and forget the meanings. i mean, i can speak some sentences - but then have to ask - what did i just say? or, you know - sit there with the dictionary and go word by word.
it's kinda funny - because at least i'm getting by with the kindergarteners song from dora called 'we are family.' they switch into spanish every other sentence. so instead of saying 'i got all my friends and me' - 'todos mis amigos y mi' and 'sing' is 'canta.' these little kindergarteners are at the age that when they hear the words and learn what they mean - they do remember everything. imo, if you really want to learn a language - learn it when you can remember everything that goes with it (ie meanings).
hebrew is a very interesting language. there are sort of 'notes' that seem to go with the symbols. i kind of like attempting to follow - but usually just go for the pronunciation. it's like chinese to me, too. i mean if i just stare at the symbols for a while - everything gets worse instead of better. but, if i hear someone speaking it - i can start following along and see a pattern going on.