You're discussing about the language overlap being relevant for the amount of time and effort necessary to get results. That is true, of course, and it if often

You're discussing about the language overlap being relevant for the amount of time and effort necessary to get results. That is true, of course, and it if often thanks to the (shared and) already possessed mental models necessary to master the new language. The most important bit of this mental model of a given language is the way speakers phrase their thoughts. This is exactly what you get right by following the brendyn's advice of taking it slow. In time you'll sense and reproduce the natural expressions. (This advice is especially valuable for learning English, BTW! Trying to make sense out of the compound verbs is a poor strategy, therefore just let them sink in slowly in your mind, each within an appropriate context.)