[Grammar] present continuous vs present perfect continuous

[n78t]

I'm struggling to find the difference in meaning between these 2 statements. I know the second one is looking at the action restrospectively but what would be the intention of it?

1: Kate wants to work in Italy, so she's learning Italian.

2: Kate wants to work in Italy, so she's been learning Italian.

Both actions may mean the action is not complete. Both may mean the action is not happening at the moment of speaking. Both mean the action started before now. So what context may mean one is more appropriate than the other?

 

[MikeNewYork]

They have very similar meanings. In the first, we don't know when she began learning Italian. It could have been very recent. In the second, it is clearer that the activity has been going on for some time (although the actual time is not specified).

 

[emsr2d2]

In the first, the only thing we know is that she is currently learning Italian. In the second, we know that she has been learning Italian but we don't know if she still is. However, it is likely that she is still learning, otherwise we would say "... so she learnt Italian".