Is English an easy language to learn?

I'm a native speaker, but I love learning languages. I've always wondered what the hardest things are for people who aren't native English speakers. Whether it be certain accents, words, phrases that don't make sense, etc. So ESL Learners, what's the most difficult thing about English for you? How did you all learn to speak English so perfectly? I would think that 95% of you guys are native English speakers by the way that you write. What's more surprising is that some of you come from countries in which I've heard most of the population speaks little to no English, so I'm very curious as to how you all learned it so well. I was mostly just asking out of curiosity because the few people I know who speak more than one language either learned it when they were young from family or learned it on their own later on because U.S. schools don't do a good job with foreign languages.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

No. It isnt. It is one of the most mongrelised languages, with roots from all over and almost none of the regular grammatical rules other languages can draw on.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman The first part is right, starting wit Latin, Greek and NE European; but not the second. English does have many formal grammar rules that ecompass most words irrespective of etymology.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@ArishMell Except when that word is drawn from another language and follows the rules of the language of Origin. Like Octopus and Octopi. And we deal with gender assignment differently from many languages, although in my view a more logical manner than some.
And using different Anglo words for the farm animal and the French derivative to the animal as food is another sticking point. Confusing for those with another European language as a first Language.. Nonsensical to someone starting with an Asian language base.