Are you learning about your chosen language? About your teaching? What?

I think the wording of the first question is interesting. It is geared to an educator. Notice the wording, "Are you learning ABOUT your chosen language?" Is this different from asking, "Are you learning your chosen language?" I think so. It seems to me that the first question asks for an analysis of the structure of the language while the second question deals with language mastery. What do the rest of you think?
I am learning some German (to answer the revised question) and I am learning that German is difficult to pronounce and difficult to spell...and consists of long words...to answer the original question. The basic program is rewarding because when one starts off at point zero, the language acquisition is very significant. I can state the time in German and ask for some directions with very controlled vocabulary. I've learned some of the vocabulary of family relationships and friendships. I find that the dialogues are too fast and too indistinct for my ears. I need to hear them several times along with looking at the German captions before I really hear them completely. It must be how our students feel when they say that a tape or CD is too fast! I can sympathize.
What have I learned about my teaching? On the positive side, my students generally tell me that I speak sufficiently slowly and loudly. That makes me happy. When I go into a native-speaking environment, I have to slap myself to speed up my speech because I am so accustomed to slowing down. I really have learned how important it is to have my students work at their own pace in the computer lab and progress to another area only when they understand the previous one. I will emphasize this. I will ask them to keep a journal of errors and corrections that they can refer to as they move forward.
Ultimately, the value of this experience for me is what it must be for all of us. We are putting ourselves in the position of the learner in a realistic setting and we are encountering the issues that arise for any language-learner. I believe ESL teachers are sensitive to their students' needs to begin with, but this experience certainly creates a heightened sensitivity.