The truth is, I think most people can pick up another language in a year, as I did with Spanish, if they go about it the right way (see the article in this book: "The absolute best way to learn a language quickly"). Not that it can't be done in less time, for I feel it can, especially if you are willing to spend more time in a foreign country. On the other hand, if you are unwilling, or unable to spend any time at all in a country where your target language is spoken, it will probably be very difficult indeed to reach fluency within a year (unless, of course, you have the opportunity to converse frequently with native speakers of that language while staying in your own country - something most of us would find either very difficult, or very expensive, to arrange).
A key concept here is "commitment". Have you really committed yourself to learning a foreign language fluently? If so, you will take the necessary steps, including making a financial investment, to reach that goal. While living in Spain, I knew more people than I can count who said they really wanted to learn English, but who then did not "walk the walk": they skipped classes, stopped learning completely whenever the holidays came around, didn't take the time to memorize
new vocabulary words, and so on.
Thanks for your recording. It was a fresh breath of air!