I come from Poland, and before I reached 18 years old I spent about 12 years learning English + full 10 years learning German. I'm completely fluent in English, and I don't remember anything from German, maybe few words here and there. It was 100% waste of my time and I wish I didn't do it.
And I also think the only reason English "stuck" is because it's so damn ubiquitous everywhere, and as a kid and teenager I wanted to be on the internet, to watch foreign films, play foreign games and talk to people abroad - all in English.
So I actually agree with both of you - learning a second language(English) is essential, but if it's a language you don't have much exposure to outside of school, it's a waste of time.
Do you still speak Polish? I've tried and failed a few times trying to learn, have some ancestors from the area.
Now not directed at you, the age ranges in your post did make me do some research. Apparently being a "native speaker" is not so well defined. Learned in childhood yes, but what's the age cutoff? Saw some references to before 5. Any thoughts on this? Seeing as you've lost the German with similar exposure.
Just curious, ignorant single language American here.
And I'm not sure - our son is 3 and speaks both English and Polish without any trouble. I myself only started learning English and German at 6 and 8 respectively, which I do think is too late to be trully and completely bilingual - like I'm fluent in English and after years of living in the UK I don't think I have much of an accent left, but I don't think I can ever be as good as someone who learnt English from birth.
And I also think the only reason English "stuck" is because it's so damn ubiquitous everywhere, and as a kid and teenager I wanted to be on the internet, to watch foreign films, play foreign games and talk to people abroad - all in English.
So I actually agree with both of you - learning a second language(English) is essential, but if it's a language you don't have much exposure to outside of school, it's a waste of time.