The benefits of lifelong learning

I had a look at our local college courses today, starting in September - unfortunately out of budget.

I have been planning to start a PhD next year, but am now seriously considering doing another BA in a totally new to me subject.

Either way, it will be part-time, partly because of the fees, and partly because I have a number of other things I don’t want to give up.

FannyCornforth

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I haven't learnt much Welsh either.

I’m a huge fan (ex-student and ex- employee) of the Open University. Those French study schools in Caen were amazing weren’t they annodomini? I learnt so much.

Musicgirl hope you do study English language (linguistics) modules with the OU as I’m sure your love of the subject will be rewarded.

I’ve done a lot of free online courses. I think the most life enhancing has been the very popular Harvard one run by Dr Laurie Santos on the science of well being. Currently I’m bashing through beginner’s Italian with DuoLingo - I’m surprised how much it feels like a game ?

I am 57 and done with academic learning.....I have driend who are embarking on PhDs but this is not for me .....my last qualification gained was a research based public health Masters in 2014 ....I have only ever studied thru work ( nhs) so been paid to achieve which meant more pressure to achieve which took any enjoyment away.... now I am semi retired I want to learn to crochet and improve my knitting skills and although I already do soft furnishings I would like to get more proficient at dress making....so lots of learning but just no more exams or essays

I am learning Gaelic with duolingo. It is, technically, the language of my forebears, distantly, but I'm doing it for brain stimulation, and because I love learning languages.

Really enjoying it. Thinking of planning my itinerary in London next year around "Lunnainn Gàidhlig/Gaelic London" - I always give myself a theme for my London trips, love them!!

I am very interested in studying for an Open University degree in retirement. I would like to study linguistics in relation to English for no other reason than I find the subject fascinating. Although I loved being young and taking my music degree, it was necessary for my future career, too. Second time around, it would be wonderful to do something purely for its own sake.

I'd always regretted not taking French as part of my degree, so, when the OU started its very first French course, I applied immediately and loved the three years - including two summer schools in Caen) it took to complete the course. I've since done a creative writing course in which I somehow got a distinction, though I've never yet managed to get anything published. I started an evening course in Italian locally. The tutor was Italian but not a teacher. I'd just done a course in TESOL and was used to teaching English in English and found it frustrating that he tried to teach Italian in English. For the first time in my life, I gave up!

I did an MA in Landscape Archaeology after I retired. I still want to do aa PhD.

I am always doing extra mural courses at our local university and I am currently studying the list of courses for this autumn.

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I feel a bit like my youngest grandson. When he heard he was going back to school he said Why? I 've been and know everything now!

I went to University at forty have BA political science. Diplomas in gemmology and art and jewellery design in my fifties. Since then have done numerous on line courses. I had Welsh lessons at the little Welsh chapel a few miles away. Also on line Duolingo and Say something in Welsh. I gave it up when my twin grandchildren were born. Since then after alot of baby care I am back on line doing any course I can. I am addicted to studying I don't think I will stop. It's kept me sane during this pandemic.

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All my working life I tried to learn something, usually languages. I have a working knowledge of French, German, Italian, Latin and Russian with a little modern Greek. Therefore when I retired I decided to work on painting and drawing as I loved those when much younger. I have no desire to put myself through exams anymore.

Chewbacca

I was doing reasonably well with my U3A Italian For Beginners course. Until the teacher died 6 weeks into the course and was never replaced.

Che peccato Chewbacca

I went to university in my aged 42 and obtained a BA and Masters degree, it was great fun. In lockdown number 1, I stumbled across the Future Learn website. There are hundreds of educational courses from which to choose, most of them run by well known universities. The site is well worth a look.

I was doing reasonably well with my U3A Italian For Beginners course. Until the teacher died 6 weeks into the course and was never replaced.

I always tried to teach children languages in an interactive way, where possible: using games, drama, craft, songs, quizzes, matching games, etc.
Even the boring grammar parts were often done using computer programs, as team games or activities on the interactive white board. However, it was much more difficult to prepare, than just using boring textbooks.

So am I, that's why my DH is on day 1850 and I am on day zéro, null, nulla, cero etc, etc!

Duolingo is all well and good if you are disciplined.

I am very undisciplined.
I'm better when I have my back to the wall and a deadline.

I had been teaching quite an advanced adult class before March but we all agreed zoom was not for us. A shame as we had a lot of funA friend is however continuing teaching via zoo and says it takes twice as long to plan his lessons.

I think if you fancy zoom classes it is possible, but I don’t really want that. you’re right marydoll duolingo is a good substitute.