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Things to learn while in lockdown

(88 Posts)
CathTheWise Wed 08-Apr-20 07:07:27

I've decided that I don't want to waste this time and started learning Spanish. I hope I'll have an opportunity to visit this country at least some day. Maybe not this year. Maybe not even the next one. But still! So I use Duolingo for that. My DD learns how to play ukulele, it's funny, I'll probably start that, too.
What are you doing or learning?

grandMattie Wed 08-Apr-20 16:01:07

Curiously, I’m teaching my 9 year old DGD French, but it is limited by time constraints (she’s in NZ) at the moment, and difficulty with playing games etc. As a fairly advanced Spanish student, I have suggested teaching it. She is thrilled.
My Spanish tutor recommends using the BBC Spanish thingy if that’s any help.

Hithere Wed 08-Apr-20 16:00:56

Grownstuff,

Thank you for your offer and you bet!

My family and I went to Germany and Austria last year and it has been in our to do list since then

growstuff Wed 08-Apr-20 15:59:33

Seriously, if you get stuck, message me - I'm happy to help. I use Duolingo to learn Norwegian. Personally, I find it a bit slow and repetitive, so ended up buying a book which goes into the grammar a bit more thoroughly, but everybody learns differently.

Hithere Wed 08-Apr-20 15:55:04

Grownstuff
Thank you! I am such a beginner but eager to learn

growstuff Wed 08-Apr-20 15:53:20

Hithere If you haven't already found it I would recommend Deutsche Welle's "Nicos Weg". learngerman.dw.com/en/beginners/c-36519789

growstuff Wed 08-Apr-20 15:51:38

Hithere Wenn ihr Hilfe braucht, kenne ich eine gute Deutschlehrerin wink.

I've learnt how to use Zoom to keep my tuition business ticking along (I'm a German tutor). It's been on my "to do" list for ages to become more proficient in using social networking, so that I don't have to rely on one-to-one lessons. It's better for the environment anyway because I don't have to travel.

Hithere Wed 08-Apr-20 12:54:04

My dh and I are also learning German.

For anybody learning Spanish, I recommend you watch Pocoyo. I know it is cartoon for kids but you can associate actions of the characters with what is being said.
I watch Pocoyo in Portuguese so I dont forget it

maryhoffman37 Wed 08-Apr-20 12:52:42

We are learning a poem a day Mondays to Fridays and I am considering learning to touch type for the first time in my life. (I'm a professional writer!)

notgoneyet Wed 08-Apr-20 12:35:51

MamaCaz is this any good?
www.adorama.com/alc/10-best-free-online-photography-courses

Grannyjacq1 Wed 08-Apr-20 12:33:17

www.futurelearn.com/
Can recommend this for all sorts of courses - many of them free.
Can anyone recommend a free online Zumba class - I know there are loads - thousands - of You Tube, but would prefer one that someone has tried and tested!

Growing0ldDisgracefully Wed 08-Apr-20 12:22:22

Not exactly new but already teaching myself Honiton lace and have now started doing the same with Bucks Point (Buckinghamshire) lace. I have the 2 lace pillows on the go and alternating between the two every few days. Also doing crochet (a relatively new skill), and playing the piano more (not a new skill). Am looking at revisiting playing the piano accordion, something I haven't done for years. However I may need to keep the windows and patio doors shut for that, out of respect to my neighbours, who probably won't appreciate the racket!

GardenofEngland Wed 08-Apr-20 12:17:12

I'm stuck in Spain still no ferry now until 23 April! and my Spanish is coming on well just no where to practice it. I use Duolingo but it is the Latin American version so some words are different. I also use Babbel but find it hard! But for just learning enough to get by on conversation wise I use Learn Spanish with Paul Noble. He gives loads of hints and shortcuts.

bumblebee34 Wed 08-Apr-20 12:15:25

MamaCaz, I did an online free photography course, it was called A year with my camera. It was brilliant and really explained things simply. An email used to come each Thursday with a lesson and what to work on in the coming week. I think you can start on the first Thursday of each month if I remember. You can buy the workbook that goes with it if you wish bit it is not necessary although I found it useful to look back on and keep as a handbook. If you google A year with my camera you should find it.

GrandmasueUK Wed 08-Apr-20 12:12:08

I did a free short course on Children's Literature with the OU and got a certificate for completing it grin and now I'm doing another course on edx.org about Fairy Tales. It's really interesting, it's linked to Newcastle University in Australia, but there are courses from Harvard, the Sorbonne and other worldwide universities. Again these are free, but you can choose to pay a small sum (actually it does vary in price) to have them verified.

Fereshtay Wed 08-Apr-20 12:11:36

I started the same course.
Really enjoying it.

Joesoap Wed 08-Apr-20 11:53:40

Been doing various courses with Future Learn,there are so many and they are all really good, and keep the mind active.

crazyH Wed 08-Apr-20 11:50:27

Well, that's learning, isn't ? How to upload and creat a photobook ?

crazyH Wed 08-Apr-20 11:49:26

Doing a photobook for my son's bday in August.

MagicWand Wed 08-Apr-20 11:45:42

Trying to master some of the trickier crochet and knitting stitches via YouTube. Doing my tapestry, trying out new recipes, going back to reread old favourite books - I don’t feel like a challenge there at present. Watching the brilliant National Theatre productions on YouTube as I can’t get to the theatre. Last night for One Man Two Guvnors tonight - watch it if you can!
Thank you for the info about the isolation choir, I must dig out my old copy - I know it’s around somewhere!

Craftycat Wed 08-Apr-20 11:38:30

I got the water colours out yesterday & painted 2 Easter Chick cards for DGC. I haven't painted for months now & I really enjoyed it.
I have cleaned out half of the larder- the other half can wait until the weather is not so good.
Now if I was REALLY in the mood my wardrobe needs a good clear out but that is such a big task I keep putting it off off- it's not something you can start & then go back to. Once all those clothes are out we couldn't get into bed if it wasn't done in one session- don't even mention the shoes!!

Riggie Wed 08-Apr-20 11:37:27

Im taking on line Futurelearn courses. Mind you since I took my first about 15 months ago I have been hooked and I usually have at least two on the go - Id forgotten how much I enjoy learning stuff.

All sorts of subjects, hosted by universities and free unless you want to upgrade and get the certificste.

AllTheLs Wed 08-Apr-20 11:36:41

Lovetopaint037, you're quite right about quality of watercolours. I tried out my new set of watercolour brush pens. Looked lovely when it first went on, but after they'd dried thoroughly, looked absolutely awful.

Apart from that, I'm taking an online botany course - about time I learned more about these gorgeous spring flowers I'm seeing on my walks.

And I've challenged myself to learn more about the Anglo-Saxons. Why, I've no idea, it just seemed to appeal.

GrannyRose Wed 08-Apr-20 11:19:59

Am facing up to resorting - and lots of shredding - of all the paperwork that went with dealing with my parents' affairs for Attorney and Executorship for many years. This gorgeous weather (ironic, isn't it) is really helping me to do a chunk or two every day. I decided that I really didn't want to leave it for my children to have to clear, and this is the very best chance I shall have.

Alison333 Wed 08-Apr-20 11:12:55

Oxford University Department of Continuing Education is good for short online courses www.conted.ox.ac.uk/ I've signed up for one starting on 20th April about Victorian literature. It involves reading 5 books including ones like 'Jane Eyre', 'The Mill on the Floss' etc. You do have to pay though and I'm hoping it will have finished before I have to get back to work!

Neilspurgeon0 Wed 08-Apr-20 11:03:22

I haven’t actually although in the past I have taken any number of the free, university created courses on Future Learn www.futurelearn.com/ which I can massively recommend