Learning something really difficult anyone?

It is funny really JessM. Before I started the U3A Spanish course I had always translated betwen English and Spanish and hadn't really thought about the impact the French would have on the process. Obviously French and Spanish are much closer (when it doubt stick an o or a on end of French word ) and that does help, but he asks what something means and the English pops into my head and then I have to find the French word....
I think it would be OK if he didn't mumble so much, others in the class have trouble understanding him too and they are native French speakers.
I come out after 90 minutes and my brain huuurts....

Am learning, albeit slowly, to knit. I'm not one of life's natural knitters but am determined to 'crack it'

I'm also learning church pipe organ, JackieB. Feet are quite a challenge, but after 30+ years of very occasional pedals, I'm now trying to do it properly with a jolly, youthful teacher. No intention of taking any exams, just enabling singing in local church and the odd party piece. Great fun and much practicing!

at you learning the pipe organ, grannyrose.

You are all learning impressively brainy things! I've started learning Hoop Dancing with a hula hoop... great fun and quite a challenge!!

I've bought a Celtic harp and self teach book. I've looked at the book --------------------

German. Mein Gott, not easy. Bird study with one group and field studies with another.

The rumba (one-two-three-and.....). Good exercise, a good laugh and does wonders for posture and balance

Last year I completed a beginners' class in the Maori language which is very different from any of the other languages (all European) that I speak. As the two-and-a-half-hour class is conducted almost totally in te reo Maori with almost no English spoken, it is certainly challenging. Unfortunately, because of changes to the system, I am unable to follow on with the second year. I am hoping to join a different class.

Nelliemoser - have you tried logging on to Cyberbass or Choralia. I sing in a choir and have little musical knowledge but these 2 sites enable you to sing along with your particular part, whilst the rest of the music is going on in the background. I use it all the time and it's really helpful. Good luck!

Bridge.l am hopeless at it as I have a memory like a sieve but l will persevere.

I've completed a BSc with the Open University. I only signed up to do a short course in genetics but it was so interesting I did a few more and got hooked. It took about 10 years. Unfortunately it is nearly all online learning now which I hate - I like to have a coursebook to study - so I won't be doing any more courses.

I did a BAHons with the Open University two years ago. I really loved doing it but the 20th Century Art Module that I did for the Hons was very hard. Luckily I had a kind and supportive tutor who helped me along.

Which language are you learning Jess?

Back to learning Italian- was doing AS when we left UK nearly 7 years ago- but not found any suitable class here. French is my MT, and after a few years in the UK, I decided to do German O'Level so I wouldn't lose what I had learnt in school. Same sort of experience as Mamie- it took me quite a while to cut out the devil triangle and cutting out the French. Very hard when you have learnt all your vocab and grammar rules by heart from French to German- and then having to do so from English ...

Learning a language is a great way to keep ze little grey cells ticking- and opens so many doors and makes travelling a totally different experience when you can chat to locals and ask about history, culture, etc.

I've been learning Shotokan karate for almost 20 years and it's always new. Techniques and the way they work together are always evolving. It's the only physical activity (other than walking) that I've never got fed up with or made excuses not to go. I love it. I became a black belt in 2000 and I'm currently working towards taking my 5th dan exam. There'll be a club near you...

lizzypopbottle - I'm so impressed! I bet no-one takes liberties with you.

This thread is reminding me about the French course I have sitting on my desk and the Coastguard Radio Operator course too. I must finish them, I tell myself..........

absent I'm very impressed that you are studying te reo Maori. I try hard to pronounce Maori words properly but haven't really considered learning the language. Of course I really should, being an NZ resident.

"a" NZ resident - grrr!

Trying to remember the steps for all the various Ballroom, Latin and sequence dances that MrA and I are learning is challenging enough for me

I loved my OU courses in French, especially the summer schools in Caen. Then I also did a Creative Writing course for which we had a dreadful tutor who didn't like my work at all, but when my final assignment went to an external examiner, I got a distinction and wish I could capitalise on it!

NotTooOld, that's the best name for this thread! We are never too old!

CrazyDaisy I live in NZ too.

Guessed that absent.

OU Future Learn courses - excellent - I've done several

Granjura Welsh. I grew up in the South and the language was not a priority in those days. I have the basic software of how to pronounce and spell (pretty phonetic). And the cadences which defeat most English speaking learners. Now I live in an area which is a bilingual community I need to make the effort. I reckon it is as tricky as English but in totally different ways. The grammar is very different, and complex. It is, however, an advantage that my neighbours are bilingual.
I know one German woman and one Dutch woman that are pretty fluent in Welsh! And I have new respect for all the people who learn English as a second language.
Absent do you have any opportunities to speak Maori outside the classroom? At least the alphabet is short (12 or 13 letters is it?) and phonetic? (except with the much contested F sound which was unaccountably left out of the alphabet)