I sort of agree with the categories, but not really. I agree in principle at least.
The hours it takes to learn is completely dependent on a variety of things, not the least of which is 'what is it to speak a language?'
Even if you've got a standard, say, B2 or C1, there are a huge amount of variables: Understanding of culture, ability to express verbally in any language, memory abilities for vocabulary and listening skills.
Some people can watch a film in English and have memorised the lines totally by one viewing. They'll find it a lot easier to comprehensively pick up a sentence structure than those that can't. Some people have photographic memories and can memorise huge vocab lists in one go. Some people innately have an ability to put complex subjects succinctly with simple terms, and some don't. These all apply to second languages as much as primary languages.
Giving an hourly value is an oversimplification which is probably actually designed so some lobbying body gets more money.
The hours it takes to learn is completely dependent on a variety of things, not the least of which is 'what is it to speak a language?'
Even if you've got a standard, say, B2 or C1, there are a huge amount of variables: Understanding of culture, ability to express verbally in any language, memory abilities for vocabulary and listening skills.
Some people can watch a film in English and have memorised the lines totally by one viewing. They'll find it a lot easier to comprehensively pick up a sentence structure than those that can't. Some people have photographic memories and can memorise huge vocab lists in one go. Some people innately have an ability to put complex subjects succinctly with simple terms, and some don't. These all apply to second languages as much as primary languages.
Giving an hourly value is an oversimplification which is probably actually designed so some lobbying body gets more money.